Calm, peaceful night on the creek. While bringing down the boom tent I notice off to the starboard side a "bloom" of jellyfish. I google the term for a group of jellyfish and it is a bloom, or a smack or a swarm. Bloom feels about right to me, but it also strikes me that it is early in the season for jellyfish.
Sails up at 6:35 but we are in the wind shadow of the trees. It is a slow, pleasant drift out to the creek. Making 0.6 to the wind-ruffled water. 7:00 on Bonner Bay, motor sailing at idle power with dolphins in our wake.
7:25 all sails down to motor through Dipping Vat Creek, a man-made cut through the marsh from Bonner Bay to the Bay River. I used the cut years ago, then used it again last year as thunderstorms were approaching and I needed to get to the shelter of Bonner Bay. Easy motor through the cut, outside on the edge of Bay River at 7:45.
Better wind and making 4.3 to Maw Point where the Bay River meets the Neuse River. 9:00 grey fins of dolphin slicing through the green and blue water.
9:10 tacking to the southeast past Maw Point. 9:30 tack back west towards shore, pleasantly surprised by the distance I'm making in moderate winds. I suspect a flood tide is helping me. 9:45 better wind. 9:55 tack out from the long white sand beach next to the entrance to Swan Creek, very pleased to be there so quickly.
Sailing into the chop that has arrived with the better wind. 10:35 tack back towards the western shore near the Long Point Shoal marker. 10:40 crossing the shoal inside the marker. Chart says there should be three feet of water, but there is less than that so turn back out at 10:45 for a final tack to round the shoal.
11:20 passing the entrance channel markers for Broad Creek, find calmer water there. Looking for shelter as the forecast calls for heavy rain and some wind overnight and tomorrow morning. The wind is at first on the nose so more tacking up Broad Creek, then a long reach while looking for a good anchorage along the way. 12:00 sails down as the afternoon gusts begin to roll in. Anchor down inside a little notch in the shoreline just inside of Brown Creek 12:50. Set up the boom tent, relaxing and reading on tap for the afternoon.
19 NM
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