Day 209: From Cape Fear to Goose Creek

Day 209: May 11: Vessels began leaving the anchorage on a very chilly morning at about 7:00 a.m. Donning sweatshirts, we pulled up the anchor at 7:30 and fell in behind the pack. 

It took about 1/2 hour to get to the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge (vertical clearance 12'). The bridge is owned and operated by the United States Marine Corps and opens upon request except from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. when the draw only opens on the hour. Four of us passed through at 8:00 a.m. 


Shortly before passing through the Beaufort Channel Railroad Bridge, along came this gorgeous vessel named Justice. John radioed the captain and found out if was a 1930. We did not find out the make but it certainly looks like a "one of a kind". 




We cruised by Swansboro, Moorehead City and Beaufort, NC before arriving in Oriental where we were hoping to find a spot on the Oriental Town Dock. To our disappointment the docks were full and the small anchorage inside the breakwater was crowded. We contemplated heading underneath the Oriental Bridge in search of an anchorage but didn't feel comfortable with the charted depths. It was early in the day with plenty of light left so we decided to continue our travels up the Neuse River to Goose Creek in Hobucken, a distance of about 30 miles. 

Across Pamlico Sound, the Neuse, Bay and Pamlico Rivers we cruised, enjoying the beautiful day and scenery, grateful that we had made the decision to not stop in Oriental. We were surprised to have dolphins playing at the bow since we hadn't seen them for quite some time; their ability to speed along with the boat is amazing. Once across the larger section of the Neuse River the waterway became tranquil and picturesque; a far cry from the crowded port of Oriental. 



In Hobucken we waved at a few folks docked at the R.E. Mayo Seafood Marine Supply, a commercial seafood dock that sometimes has inexpensive transient dockage available. Today was not one of those days as the dock was full. The Hobucken Coast Guard Station was located right after the Mayo facility.



After 11 1/2 hours and 80 miles we finally pulled in to Goose Creek. We maneuvered around crab pots galore before finding the perfect spot. We dropped the hook in about 8 feet of water, just behind two sailboats also anchored for the night. No waves, no wind and no people! It was perfect. 































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