Cruising Again:)

We left our home of 7 months last week and headed north to NC.  It took a couple of days to get to our first anchorage.  Neat little place right at Little River Inlet, Bird Island.  We arrived on July 4th and had many people there.  But, that is just as entertaining as watching the dolphins we saw on our offshore sail to Cape Fear River on Friday.  Our first sail was a broad reach with 8-10 building to 20 knots by the end.  Great sail with everything working perfectly.  Yammy pointed out that the boom doesn't bang anymore.  The old boom banged in light air and lumpy seas.  I guess the new one is light enough that that annoyance has been eliminated.

Our weekend was spent at Bald Head Island, NC.  Never even heard of it, but we will stop there every year now.  It is a smaller version of Block Island, except no cars allowed.  Everything is done with electric carts, including the bus service.  Made for quiet streets to walk and browse.  We rented a cart for the weekend and toured the island with a day at one of the local country clubs for swimming and fine dining. I highly recommend this to anyone who cruises.  It is an island, so the costs are a little higher, but no more than Block Island.  I have a review written in Active Captain, so you can get my view on the marina there.

We are now on one of the free mooring balls at Carolina Beach.  We had a short sail to here this morning and will stay for the week.  No hurry to get anywhere and it looks like a great place for swimming and kayaking.  Moorings are free because the city put them in and are looking for someone to manage them.  Until then, "Free is for Me" 

                     Leaving our home of 7 months.

     One of our favorite houses.  Endless pool with tiled step waterfall.  

Bird Island Anchorage.  Reminds me of F-Cove in NJ where you beach your boats.

      Sunset at Bird Island.  We spent two nights here.

        Sail is up and drawing!

      Reason for Cape Fear's name.  We came through the inlet to get to Bald Head Island.

       Beginning of shoals that extend out 20 miles. Oh, and Yammy.

 Turtle Nest.  Big turtle conservancy here.  We saw a large one while sailing, but too fast to get the camera.

 My chauffeur.  Can I keep her?

 We got a kick out of the little garages.

           The resort we spent a day at.  Overlooks Frying Pan Shoals.

     Yes, those are car seats in the cart.