Swan Point Marina to Southport NC
We were able to depart the marina at 0720 headed to South Port NC with the challenge of reaching Surf City Beach Highway Bridge by 0900. Luckily there were about 12 other boats waiting for the bridge so when we arrived at the last minute we were able get in line and ended up waiting a few minutes for the bridge to open. When our group of boats had passed and the bridge was closed I heard the bridge operator talking with a commercial fishing boat captain about the 'gaggle' that has just passed. We soon were able to figure out he was talking about us. I would have immediately understood words like 'group', 'convoy' or 'flotilla'. Anyway, I can now say I've been a part of a 'gaggle'.
Passing through Surf City and Figure Eight Island was sort of normal.
There were several marinas and restaurants close to each bridge and a series of
homes along the waterway. The two pictured here especially caught our
attention.
Wrightsville Beach
was a completely different story. There was no commercial development to speak of north of the bridge - just hundreds of
stately homes along the waterway. This picture
captures several of the smaller homes we passed. As we hurried to get through the bridge
opening some boats exceeded their wake speed just to be greeted by a huge "no
wake" sign after the bridge. There were restaurants and marinas lining
both sides of the waterway for what seemed like two miles. It was like a scene
from a Miami Vice video. Our first touch of the boating south.
We reached South Port NC about 1530 for fuel and a nice floating slip. Somewhat tired, but really ready to enjoy the 70+` weather.