Bronco busting!

 


But first…I forgot to share video of our new best friend!  This guy escorted us for about a half hour yesterday. The video is just a few seconds. 


Now, down to current events…we left Southport at about 7 this morning and started regretting that decision within about a half hour!  Wind was howling from ENE and we were headed NE (of course). To make it interesting. Current was running with us, causing standing waves about 4-5’ high. A few coming close enough together to result in salt water shower up on bridge deck (followed quickly by some colorful language by the captain!).


This is what it looked like after calming down a bit. Cape Fear River is NOT one of my favorite places!

Fortunately, our path took us more NE (off the river) and wind shifted to E and then SE and  water flattened out but we were pretty wet from the salt showers so even just the wind made things pretty cold. 

As we neared Wrightsville Beach bridge we realized we’d just missed the 10 am opening, next would be 11.  The bridge is documented as 14’ clearance. My radar arch is 15.5’ off the water. Bridge tender thought we should be able to m as ke it through. Boards indicated at least 16’ and he said it’s higher in center. Holding my breath, I inched forward…looked like about 2 feet higher in center so I kept going. Yikes!!!  Made it through ok but very nerve wracking!  We were trying to get to anchorage before the expected rain storm so we really did not want to wait 50 min for the bridge. 

Made it to the anchorage at Mile Hammock about 3 pm. Took us 4 tries to anchor. Each time it set but when we put some ‘heat’ on it in reverse it would drag. We took neighbor’s advise and tried again in different area, use more rode and don’t back down hard. Wind was already blowing at least 15 so we fired that plus backing at idle was enough. Seems to be holding. Quite a few boats have gathered here now, total of 7. Most are Loopers. 

Chili for dinner tonight, perfect weather for it but I forgot to pack corn bread mix - dang!

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