Swansboro,N.C: Another Grand Adventure

Trefoil and her crew left Morehead City at nearly mid-day on 18 Nov. We briefly deliberated the weather forcast and figured that a 50% chance of sun was equal with a 50% chance of rain. So...off we go to Swansboro. (oo, a rhyme) This was a short hike (25 statute miles) but it started somewhat ominoulsy with rain falling after about a mile of travel. Well, no worries, mate! It will get better. (and it did) So, we motor through moderate fog and moderate mist until we get to Swansboro. Everything was fine except for the uncharted red which nearly sent us out of the channel and into the Atlantic! After some words were exchanged (at an increased volume) we regained our composure and continued the last few miles to the ancorage with relative ease. Then, came the rains. Bango-our glasses were soaked, our vision otherwise obscured by the violence of the rain and our relatively good navigating besmirched by running aground by way of a too-tight turn into the anchorage. Hard aground. 3200RPM reverse aground. Rocking the boat +3200 RPM reverse aground. We finally got off the bottom and, still not being able to find the right nav aids, were able to see "Caspers Marina" . We immediately forgot our desire to anchor out and where VERY happy to tie to the dock.

Thus endith the good part and beginnith the bad part: Rain and more rain!! We had arrived somewhat soaked and then the rain got real. Five + inches of rain in 13 hours. Steady, soaking rain. Six inches in the rubber boat. Ninty-four % humidity in Trefoil. Wet dog, wet people, wet clothes. However, the good part is that it did stop this morning and only most of the docks where underwater. Not ours-almost- but not submerged. Then the sun came out, we dried off, went for a walk and all is well this evening. The thermometer on the bank we passed on the way to Piggly Wiggly for provisions said 78 degrees!! Perhaps tomorrow will be as much fun! We'll write!


Love, Dick & Karen