Southport, Hampstead, Swansboro – 6/4 – 6/5

We’re getting closer to New Bern, and it will feel good to be home (hopefully on Sunday 6/7).

Sunrise, leaving St. James Plantation near Southport at 6 a.m. on 6/4. Doug timed our departure perfectly for the 10-mile stretch of the Cape Fear River, with the end of the flood tide coinciding with the wind out of the south. We arrived at Harbour Village Marina in Hampstead at 3 pm, sooner than expected since we were motoring at 10 mph for a good portion of the morning.
We left Hampstead at 6:45 a.m. on 6/5, and we may run into some rain before we get to Swansboro. Wind gusts will get into the mid-30’s later this afternoon, but we plan to be tied up at our dock by then.
Coming into Camp Lejeune, where the New River meets the ICW. The ocean is in the very far background.
This picture and the photo below show the camps for military and their families to enjoy some well-earned oceanside R&R.
This forecast with wind gusts (in maroon color) prompted us to reserve a dock in Swansboro (we arrived at 1 pm on Friday 6/5) as opposed to anchoring at Mile Hammock in Camp Lejeune. So much of this cruise had been governed by high winds! We suspect it will be a very active hurricane season ahead.
The only part of this dinner that was pre-planned was the wine, a gift from our Bauer’s Cove neighbors. We wanted to get take-out from one of the local restaurants: our first choice closed at 6 pm (we called at 6:09), our second choice was so busy they could no longer accommodate take-out orders, and the phone for our third choice was apparently off the hook (our conclusion after five phone calls and a rapid busy signal). The wine was delicious, and dinner was fine, though we were both looking forward to a night of no cooking and no dishes. For our New Bern friends, it appears that Swansboro is now open for business.
Guess it was good luck that we couldn’t walk into town for take-out – the tide is so high now (unusual here) that we wouldn’t have been able to get on the boat. This weather is insane!

6 thoughts on “Southport, Hampstead, Swansboro – 6/4 – 6/5”

  1. Almost home!!! Wish we could meet you at the Saltwater Grill for some dockside dining! Or wine on the porch of the brew shop……one of these days 😎

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