On Eureka again

Sun, Sept 15

This morning, Clara got a call from Tucker, our shrimp man here in Beaufort. He works at Cherry Point, but on the weekends, he shrimps. He's the only commercial fisherman who still has a dock on Taylors Creek.  Last night he had been shrimping and had a great night. 

He always calls Clara to see if she wants some. We have already bought about 30 pounds.  But today, Clara said “Have you got 200 pounds?”. Of course he did and Clara said, “I'll take them!”. Now that's a lot of shrimp!!!!

She immediately got on the phone, and in a little while, she had all her friends over and they took 150 pounds – we ONLY ended up with 50. And they are big, nice shrimp.

And of course they have to be prepared (headed), and Clara set up the preparation area in the backyard, and within an hour or so, all 200 pounds were headed.

Shrimp are second only to lobster as my favorite seafood.

Mon, Sept 16

For the first time in quite a while, Clara and I are taking Eureka out by ourselves for a few days. This is a real treat for me to have her along.

The weather looks favorable, so we head up the Intracoastal Waterway to the Neuse River – with the hope of going over to Ocracoke tomorrow (about a 6 hour sail across the Pamlico Sound).

So much for a good weather forecast

On the ICW in the rain.

On the way, we put a fishing line behind the boat and before long, we had a nice bluefish on the line. A good supper.

Clara cleans the bluefish on the stern platform

We anchor in the South River, which isn't really a river, but that's what it's called. It's really just a big bay off the Neuse River. Literally hundreds of boats could anchor in here and they still wouldn't be in each others way. There's only one other boat tonight, and it is a mile or so from us.

It's great to be back out on the water again.

Tues, Sept 17

Well, last night turned out to be a little exciting.

We had anchored in the middle of this 2 mile wide bay to stay away from the mosquitoes and flies that are generally found close to shore.

The weather forecast sounded pretty good when we retired for the evening with wind shifting to the North (which is wide open from our anchorage for several miles) and increasing to 10 knots. Nothing to be concerned about.

About 10 pm, the winds did shift to the North – in a hurry. We had been pointed South and all of sudden we were whipped around and the winds rapidly increased to 30 mph. The waves quickly built up and the boat was bouncing around quite a bit.

I immediately went forward and let out more anchor and set the bridle, tied a few things down, and started checking the weather to see what had changed. There was a line of thunderstorms moving through, but the weather service was still calling for relatively light winds. Needless to say, that ain't what was happening.  We were seeing 30 mph winds and a line of thunderstorms.

We made sure everything was secure and went on to bed for a bouncy night.

We started slowly this morning after a rather uncomfortable night swinging in the wind and waves.

We decided (actually there wasn't much of a decision) that 1)  We are not going to Ocracoke  2) We are going to Oriental Marina, get a boat slip, hook up to shore power and sleep where the waves are 1 inch rather than 1 yard high.

The winds were running 25-30 knots as we crossed the Neuse River.  We rolled out a small portion of the geneo (head sail) and flew across the river.  

A vigorous sail across the Neuse River

We've stayed at Oriental Marina numerous times in the past.  It's nice, right in the middle of the business district, and quiet.

Wed, Sept 18

Wow!  A great nights sleep.  It was cool, in fact so cool that I had to use a sleeping bag.  

This morning we start slowly.  We walk across the street to Beans for a cup of coffee, do a few maintenance things, clean up and head out for some fishing (and some sailing)

 New Clarks spoon and ready to fish!

The ducks come-a-callin

It was an absolutely perfect day for sailing on the Neuse River.  Winds were 15 - 20 knots and Eureka was ready to show her stuff.  We raised all 3 sails and just enjoyed feeling her seemingly gallop through the water.

Unusual to have all three sails flying

Some King Mackerel for dinner

Eureka loved the wind today.

Tonight we are anchored in Adams Creek just off the ICW.  It's always a good anchorage.  And it's going to be another cool night under the stars and a nearly full moon.  It don't get no better!!!

Moonrise to the East and Sunset to the West on Adams Creek

Thurs,  Sept 19

We had a nice relaxing trip back down the ICW to put Eureka back in the barn until the next trip.