Topsail Sound Anchorage to Southport

It was very foggy when we weighed anchor.  We followed our previous day’s tract to find our way out of the anchorage to get to the ICW channel.  Dwayne tried to cut back into the main channel too soon and the boat bumped over one sandbar and nearly grounded but fortunately, we were able to power up and find our way to deeper water.  Lesson learned: stay on the track that took you into the anchorage and go slow getting out.

We had two bridges to pass through.  

We encountered an interesting sight at the first bridge: a giraffe along the shore in someone’s yard. 

 The ICW channel is very narrow along this stretch leading to Cape Fear.  The inlets from the ocean are particularly challenging due to the strong current and shoaling.  The navigational aids are frequently moved as the sands shift in these areas.  We sometimes get good glimpses of the Atlantic at these inlets.

The Cape Fear River is very wide and very swift.  A container ship was headed up stream as we entered the river and scoop dredging was taking place along the cargo and fuel docks used by these large ships.

The sun finally came out and the temperature reached the low 70s as we pulled into our marina.  We refueled, moved to our slip, washed down the boat, hooked up our electric and checked in at the maintenance office to discuss the work we’ll have done on the boat tomorrow.

The evening was spent touring Southport and enjoying a very good meal at Fishy Fishy.  Janet had steamed shrimp and Dwayne had the seafood paella.  Several of us found an old fashioned ice cream stand in town and had root beer floats and ice cream cones for desert.