Thursday, Nov. 19th

ICW Mile Marker 315 – Today started off with a cold morning and frost on the boat, so time to move farther south. So we were on the move again. First thing was to make it past where the 3 boats that got stuck on shoal at “99A”. With our local knowledge Bill learned at the Harbour Village Marina, we knew we had to stay close to the boat with the 4 400 engines on the dock way to the starboard side. It put us way off of the GPS track so hard to do, but we did it and made it pass with 7 feet of water. Then onto the Snow Cut Swing Bridge with Bill fighting the currents until the bridge open. Then we were going to have to wait over an over at the Wrightsville Swing Bridge since they only open on the hour. But luck was with us again. A tugboat towing a vessel taking on water had emergency call to the bridge attendant and opened 40 minute early and the attendant let us go right behind them. Score. So continuing on. A beautiful day on the ICW but fighting strong currents all day long. In the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, we passed the largest barge we have seen with 3 tugboats pulling it. Then we ended in nice marina in Oak Island near Southport. Our good friends Sally and Rick picked us up for dinner and spend the night to catch up with them and John and Bonnie. We had drinks at Provisions for the sunset and watched the boats go by and then dinner at Frying Pan. Long but another wonderful day on the ICW.