Voyage 2011-2012: Chapter 2

7 Nov 2011, Back to Bennett Brothers and Mona Black, 34 15.354 N/ 077 56.868 W

We arrived back at Bennett Brothers several days ago and inspected our new wind generator and mizzen mount. Not bad! (We would later add another brace which is evident in the picture). The crew here is friendly and very capable. While here, we upgraded our anchor chain by increasing the length to 200 feet. Any more chain would disrupt the balance and could cause too much pitching in a rolly sea. Still 200' is better than 100'. Now those deep anchorages in the Leeward Islands will be a bit easier to handle.

Several days ago we tried to leave as the current was nearly slack and the bridge would open in 20 minutes. Oops, maybe not so slack after all. Our exit was not very dignified nor successful. The mizzen boom banged into the downstream piling and our fenders drifted onto the boat next to us. After some careful study, we noticed that the marina was exposed to lots of eddies and the current that tugs on the keel may be different than the current we see on the surface. Armed with our new wisdom, we waited for the tension on the lines to give way to the wind, and off we went. Wow, did not hit anything. Only problem is the Elizabeth Holmes bridge will not open for another hour so we slowly paraded back and forth along the BBY waterfront. The bridge tender was kind enough to open the bridge 15 minutes early.

The trip back to Mona Black was flawless and relaxing other than a really big dredge close to the dock walls of the northern side of the port. We had barely two boat lengths to pass between the dredge and the docks. The rest of the river was completely blocked. We arrived at Mona Black around 1400. We noticed a bunch of crab pot floats in the Carolina Beach anchorage. What is that all about? We later found out the floats mark the approximate position of the planned mooring balls that have been promised for many years. Regardless, it is good to be back to our slip after more than 2 months hiding from hurricanes.

20 Nov 2011, Moony has arrived, 34 02.52 N/ 077 53.526 W

Denise and Wolfgang arrived a couple of days ago via RV to spend Thanksgiving with us before they fly to Germany for the Holidays. SV Moony is bundled up in Nova Scotia waiting for Spring. It was great seeing them. Randy (Mona Black) was kind enough to allow LV Moony to park in his lot while they traveled to Germany. When they come back to Wilmington, we will participate in a mini land voyage through South Carolina and Georgia.

Of course Ann and Denise wanted to shop so they dragged Wolfgang and Bob to the Cotton Exchange, a suite of shops in the old Cotton Exchange buildings in the heart of Wilmington's historic district. Fortunately for the guys, they did not buy much but it took quite a bit of time not to buy. We stopped by the local coffee shop where we met up with a rather stiff Mr. Obama. Contrary to character, he did not say much. Oh well.

Denise wanted to check out some of the local wineries in the Wilmington area. They were not what we expected as the two that we visited had no vineyard; rather they bought their grapes from commercial suppliers. Poor Bob is 'on the wagon' again so he was only a spectator. However, the rest of the gang enjoyed tasting the wine and beer samples. During the evening we strategized about the 2012-2013 cruising season where we are planning another adventure.