The Tale of the Twisted Chain and marching NORTH

The Tale of the Twisted Chain

An uneventful run up the Cape Fear River to the ICW, a mere 24 miles, brought us to the spacious anchorage off Wrightsville Beach.  Leaving Southport we spotted the last remaining river lighthouse – one of eight that used to dot the river.  This tiny structure remains a testament to the long history of navigation on this waterway.

We made excellent time as well since we left with a rising tide to ensure plenty of water and a helpful current through the infamous “snow” cut.  The tide timing made it an early start but the bonus was a leisurely afternoon on shore.  This was our fourth stop here but our first time to set foot on shore.  We took a quick run to the dinghy dock provided in the heart of the beach strip for lunch fixings from Robert’s Market. This is the historic grocery on the island – the only one still here although it is now more a deli and convenience store.  They did sell a few fresh items and steaks. 

We enjoyed the short walk up to Robert’s but  were overdressed compared to the foot traffic around us – mostly young girls barely covered with bikini scraps – at least those outfits were the ones that caught our attention (OK, Steve’s attention).  Later in the afternoon we returned for a walk of the circuit from beach across two bridges through the mainland and back.  This was a popular route packed with Sunday joggers and walkers.  We cut through the city property with sports fields, a tiny museum and admin buildings.  Sadly we will miss their farmer’s market but made a note for our next visit.  I suspect we will be more eager to get off the boat on our next stop here.

The twisted chain story comes at our departure.  After pulling our anchor at dawn – literally just barely light – a big dark shadow emerged after a mere 30 feet.  Since we had put out more than 90, it was a puzzle.  Lifting a little more showed our chain had wrapped itself around our own anchor.  Now this is better than bringing up garbage or another boat’s anchor, but then we seem to have spent the night with an effective anchor chain length of 30ish feet. It is somewhat miraculous that we did not drag during the night.   Steve stretched out on the pulpit and hoisted the anchor with a rope, so we managed to untangle the loops and twists.  It delayed our attempt at an early start but we still were out the inlet headed for Morehead City Yacht Basin before 6AM – grateful to have not had a bigger disaster.  How did that chain get twisted and looped around the anchor?  It was not just the anchor flukes but also the stem.  The reversing current here due to the in and out of 4+ feet of tide might have contributed, but why did the anchor appear to be set when we pulled on it but then lift up enough to get thoroughly tangled?   It is a mystery and a caution to never trust that anchor without the security of an anchor alarm….

The last long run of 80+ miles flew with favorable currents and winds that got us on the dock before 5PM – plenty of time to use the courtesy car for a run to Walmart, West Marine and Lowes (more brass fittings!) A quick stop but nice to have a walk after a long day underway.

The next morning we left again with the early tide to zip up to the Bay River – behind Pamlico Sound off the Neuse.  We arrived a few hours before the expected thunder storms that blew in and settled for almost four hours.  This was not the expected brief squall but a full-blown boom, flash and pour.  The shore disappeared while Steve scrambled to secure the portholes.  Several times we thought the excitement was over only to once again run around and close up the boat. 

Somehow the flies found a way to shelter in our salon – the cats were mightily entertained by attempting to catch them. This morning we have been invaded by “midges”.  They seem to be a non-biting flying insect that only look like mosquitoes but thankfully are more an annoyance – making a mess as they die on our decks.  No complaints here but just a reality check – even the most idyllic life is not perfect and we happily take the good with the yucky. 

Our next stop was a calm night in the Pungo River after an afternoon break in lovely Bellhaven.  Then we were on to another night dodging storms on the hook in the Little Alligator River, fortunately the most dramatic storms went north and south of us.  Finally, we crossed the Albemarle Sound with a lot more rock and roll than any of us appreciated – and arrived at the free docks in Elizabeth City, NC to enjoy a beautiful mild afternoon in this city that truly owns the name City of Hospitality. Our stop amazingly coincided with the regular Saturday Market and included a lunch at Sidney’s – a charming diner on Main St.  

Tonight finds us the only occupants on the wall at the North Carolina Visitor Center – in the Dismal Swamp.  Our last visit here was very different – about 15 boats were rafted up for a bustling evening of cruiser fun. We are enjoying the relative peace, free water and WIFI plus the restrooms!  The bump and thump of this historic heritage canal – beautiful but shallow – continues tomorrow as we head to Hampton Roads, VA. Greetings to all for a merry Memorial Day!