Summer Fun at the Beach

Today was one of those days when the conditions were perfect in the Morehead City area for boating. The temperature was in the high 80's, wind at about 5 knots and seas at 2 ft. We only get these conditions a few days per year. 

Got the last dock space at Ruddy Ducks.   Had a nice lunch at my favorite waterfront restaurant and then we were off again. 

Took the family to Shackleford Banks for sand and water. Not too crowded for a Friday afternoon. Don't try this on July 4th weekend. 

Never seen a kid that could float like my 11 year old grandson, Brendan. 

The water was great. You don't see it this calm very often. 

We are all going home this weekend. It is such a shame to have to leave a place that we all enjoy so much. We will be back in August and hoping for more good summer days. Another month and the children will be back in school and the summer fun will be over until next year. 

At Last

It is now time for our next great adventure. This time it will be a big change of pace. At my age, I no longer feel the need for speed. Now I am more interested in taking time to smell the roses, making each minute count, taking it really slow and traveling in comfort. 

I have been looking for a boat that would fit my needs for a couple of years. I finally found one in Charleston, SC that checks most of the boxes. It is appropriately named "At Last". I always did like Etta James anyway. "At Last" is a trawler. Some of my go-fast buddies call it a crawler. The reason is that these boats were designed to go slow and be economical. She is faster than a sailboat but only slightly with a cruise speed of only eight knots. Trawlers are designed to go long distances with a low fuel burn and in relative comfort. This one will get about two miles per gallon if you don't push her too hard. 

Roomy for a 39 footer, she can easily sleep six. She is not a new boat, buts she is in good condition. One of her previous owners took her around the great loop which is a 5500 mile circuit that goes up the east coast, across the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi to the Gulf coast, around Florida, and back up the east coast. 

After an initial visit to Charleston to view the boat, I returned on July 12 for the survey and sea trials. All went well and closing should be within the next few days. 

"At Last" being lifted out of the Stono River south of Charleston on the Interacoastal Waterway. 

Power washed and ready for the hull survey. 

Upper helm on the fly ridge. 

The main salon. 

Plans are to pick her up at the end of July and take her to her new home in Pine Knoll Shores. It's a 270 mile journey that will take about four days. Once back, I hope to cruise eastern North Carolina this fall.  Any classmates interested in spending some time on the water should give me a call. Who knows, this might be our next great adventure. 

4th of July Weekend at the Coast

This is the first post I have made since March.  I guess I am getting lazy.  Following  are few things that have happened since the last post. 

1.  Finished a bonus room addition and an another bath at the Pine Knoll Shores property. 

Bonus room while under construction. 

Bathroom addition turned out really nice. 

2. Sold the Haystacks condo in Morehead City. 

We really enjoyed the six years we were here. Great neighbors. Beautiful views.  We still visit our friends there often. 

3. Found out that I will be a new grandfather in October. A little girl this time. Three boys and one girl. 

Big brother Levi with the announcement. He and his parents recently moved to Chaple Hill from Nashville, a 50 minute drive vs. 10 hours. I guess they finally got tired of us coming to Nashville and spending a week each time. 

4. Doing a little gardening at the coast. 

These lilies were planted by the previous owner. Gorgeous!

5.  There was a little neighborhood party Sunday afternoon three houses up the canal to celebrate the 4th of July. The weather was a little wet but we all managed to stay dry and enjoy the event. 

There were about forty neighbors at the party. 

Now we are all up to date. I hope to have something of interest to share in a couple of weeks.