Fifty nine miles today

We are at Wilmington and the Cape Fear River. Had the tides working against us most of the way which reduced our speed over the ground even though the boat speed was our usual 6 knots. I can do 8; however my buddie's 34 catalina which is pictured can only do six, so I hang back and let him run aground and then go around the low spots. The Coast guard tried to board us this evening, but I told them the boys from Cape Charles did that in June with no write ups. They wanted to see 2 life preservers and let us go; then they sped ahead and boarded my friend DK. We went thru four bridges which slowed or progress due to the limited opening hours; either on the hour or half hour depending on the bridge. One guy at Camp Lajune would not open even though we were with in one minue of the scheduled opening. said we were not close enough. I talked with him at lenght and found his commanding officer had dictated the restriction. I ask him to tell the General that Gen Lloyd who has spent time in the AOR commanding 329 Marines 2200 other troops had more common sense. We kept our speed up and made the anchorage we are in at 6pm as it was getting dark. I have promised Nanac no more night sailing and owe her some ear rings for the second night which I will get tomorrow at Bare Foot Landing in Myrtle Beach. We hope to make Charleston on Thur. It was warm today in our enclosure, but cooled down by about 5pm. I was back in my coat. It is suppose to get really cold by morning. Nanc is fixing dinner as I write this with the propane heater going and we are snug as bugs. I will start the Honda generator just prior to turning in, and put the electric heater on and propane off. I have a CO2 detector on board, but I do not trust it while I am sleeping.

My turn....nancy is very glad we won't do any more night sailing! tooo scary. We motored for 11 hours today which was long but we saw lots of wonderful wildlife..porpoises, egrets, herons, grebs and when the sun was out it was beautiful. There are so many huge houses along the NC coast....and more being built. someone doesn''t know about the construction recession! tomorrow is to be a short day with shopping and dining out! Yea.