Another "Drive By"

We woke up at 5:30 to reveille (I think it was just that we were expecting bugles, since we were anchored in a Camp Lejeune training facility) raring to go.  Actually that was the earliest we have waken in a very long while and a little surprising since we were watched over by the recruits at the amphibious bivouac area (that is a technical term for tents) all night.   To make things clear...there were NO bugles, we just woke up with the Marines!

We watched a 60' (single handed) Hatteras fight with his anchor coming and going, just like we did.  The holding was great once you found the 'sweet spot' but they sure did not want to let go.  Gary's leg muscles were bulging trying to get that damn  Danforth anchor out.  What we really need is a pulpit with 2 anchor chutes and a double windlass, that would get the job done....unless we win the lotto...not happening!

We were headed for Beaufort a highly recommended stop, only to find that like Georgetown there is no where to anchor as the area cruisers once enjoyed has been taken over by personal mooring balls making for very little room.  The marina's downtown where $2.75 a foot and that is just not part of our program so we did a 'Drive By' . Most of these 'stops' are shopping and restaurants and there is only so much of that I can do. So we headed for Oriental.

It was a pretty long day 10 hours but it didn't seem that long for some reason.  We are currently anchored in Oriental in a nice spot where we had to position among crab pots but there is only 1 other little sail boat.  You have to go under a 48' bridge and most of the bigger sailboats can't make it under at that height.  Oriental's claim to fame is a friendly boating community with more sailboats than residents.  Tomorrow we shall go "to town" and see.

The only problem we've had in a while cropped up this week. All of a sudden Old Jennie (our new name for our aging generator) shut down.  Yup, she just QUIT.  It was a stomach dropping moment since generators require many, many 'boat units' ($$$$).  Gary thought it might be overheating  because the breaker blew.  He has done all the things men need to do (don't ask me what) and it worked but then it didn't work.  Now he has fiddled some more and it is working again.  So that is a BIG "We Shall See".

Camp Lejeune Sunrise 0600 5/25/11

At least they warn you!!

Crowded Beaufort  (that's Bo-fort, not the S.C. Bew-fort)

More Bo-Fort

Beaufort wild horses

Barges EVERYWHERE....lots of upkeep in these waters!

Barge mania....3 barges and lots of pipe...don't know what will become of this
but is would probably be very interesting.