November 6

Happy Birthday for Annette. We began with intentions of reaching Swansboro by afternoon. We knew there were stong winds along the coast that might impact our travel even though we would be on the InterCoastal Waterway inside the barrier islands. The first part of the trip was relatively uneventful with good winds that allowed us to move with good speed. The number of boats traveling continues to be large. When we got to the turning basin in Morehead City, we had been blown around and bounced around with winds up to 30 knots. After making the turn, the wind was right on the nose. Eagle's Wings had a particularly hard time making any speed against it and the current. We decided to put in for the day and try again the next day. Near the turning basin is the Sanitary Restaurant which offers docking for $10. There was one place left so we pulled in and rigged for rafting with Walt and Pat on our windward side. We had to plan that carefully as we were being pushed in the dock without their boat's additioal weight to contend with and there is about a three foot tide. We had a good day walking about two miles shopping and talking with people. We got back to the boat in time to record this unusual sunset. It appears that the sun is setting upwards because of the cloud formation. Annette and I celebrated her birthday with dinner at the restaurant and, later, on Eagle's Wings, with Asti Spumante and a sweet dessert made by Pat. All in all, a good day, if one that we did not anticipate.