Day 186 - April 17, 2013: Spooner Creek, near Morehead City

Back in the ICW, we passed a steady parade of homes on the west side, north of Wrightsville Beach. Some were quite magnificent, with the grandeur of three stories, many balconies, and long docks reaching out for deep water. The ospreys like to nest on the day marks, and they gather sticks and weave them intricately into bundles that balance on the piles. Fisherman in waders and broad rimmed hats dig for clams in the soft sand at low tide.

North of Wrightsville

Ospreys in love

Docks that reach for deep water

Fisherman seeking clams

We passed Topsail Beach, crossed the New River Inlet, and went through the Marines' training grounds at Camp LeJeune. The ICW is sometimes temporarily closed here when the firing range is active. As we entered the area, two marine armed gunboats, painted in camouflage, raced around a bend behind us at full speed, and we were quite anxious until they suddenly slowed and reversed their paths. Today, not only was the ICW open, but the marines were actively firing machine guns at drones out over the ocean. We could see the drones rise into the air, before swooping down over the water, and hear the rapid gunfire echoing back over our heads. One of the drones exploded in a puff of smoke over the trees.

Marine exercises at Camp LeJeune

Puff of smoke where a drone was shot down

We came to rest at anchor in Spooner Creek, just a few miles short of Morehead City, after a fairly long but enjoyable day of cruising. This creek has a small marina at the mouth and homes along the shore. One other sailboat came in late and joined us for the night.

Spooner Creek Anchorage