Today I have a bit of a schizophrenic post. I just LOVE looking at the big boats and the docks as we are motoring by. I also LOVE nature and the weather has not been very helpful on that front. But, we have a nice weather window. Yeah!
Ports
First, the ports. We motored from Carolina Beach to Wilmington, NC yesterday. First thing we learned. Sometimes, currents really matter. We had a short 17.62 NM. It took us 3 hours and 9 minutes! We fought against a 2 knot current most of the way. That spells 4 – 5 knots for us which is about 4 1/2 to less than 6 MPH. That is even slow for us. But, the trip was pretty and we had a lovely walk on a looooooog, beach before we left.

We got the dinghy back on the boat (we were on a mooring ball and thus dinghy’ed to shore for bike riding, hiking and to walk the beach.) The highlight for me was coming into Wilmington, NC. The town is relatively small, around 120,000 people but appears to be quite prosperous and has a small port that is quite strategically located for easy access to lots of manufacturing.

So, a few images of the fun docks




Nature
The weather has taken a turn for the better. Multiple days in the 50’s to 60’s and sunny! I was so ready. I was starting to have “trouble” with the gray days.
So, a lovely day at Carolina Beach State Park. Turns out this is one places where carnivorous plants are found in the US; Venus Flytraps, Pitcher plants, etc. I had no idea!

State parks and botanical gardens. So nice to have some nature up close and good weather! Today we visited the Airlie Gardens. Gorgeous and a lovely day for a visit.





We plan to spend a few more days in Wilmington. We are at a marina now and have a rental car for a couple days as it is easier to get around. Shopping, doing outdoor things until the weather turns, then perhaps indoor things.