We have set sail for the winter!

Just as hoped, Sunday was a good day for travel and we were ready.  Out of New Bern, Latitudes' home for the past few months, leaving many sailboats behind.

Down the Neuse River and into the quiet Adams Creek - deceptively quiet, as we had almost 2 kts of current against us at one point, from the incoming tide at Morehead City.

We are seeing the wildlife that we love - like this beautiful blue heron, perched on one of the ICW's channel markers.

Smokie missed him...she played with Mousie until she was worn out, then snuggled together for a nap.

As the day wore on, the weather began changing.  The clouds began to gather and eventually gave us light rain.

We made to our planned destination, a marina in Swansboro, NC, about 60 miles.  Friends Mimi and Otto were arrived close behind us.  It was great to see them again.  We had dinner out in the very deserted Sunday night in Swansboro.

Today broke sunny and warm - a wonderful 60 with 15 kt winds.

But it is not to last.  The winds are picking up steadily through the day, from 16 this morning to 25 - 30 knots by early afternoon, with higher gusts of up to 35 knots - pretty much on the nose for the direction we were traveling -- of course. It is again cloudy with a 50% chance of rain.  With the high windage of Latitudes - partially due to the center cockpit design and also the enclosure perched on top of her - we are more affected by high winds than some sailboats.  So we decided to stay here for one more night.  Mimi and Otto have gone ahead and we will catch up with them in a few days hopefully.

We have had showers at the marina and may walk around town while it is windy but still warm.

Tonight will be very cold, 20-ish with continued winds. That is the main reason we are at a marina; to take advantage of the shore power to warm the boat. The winds are predicted to break by morning so we will be dealing only with the cold. It should be a sunny day.  Our enclosure works like a "Florida Room", creating a warm area to navigate from, plus we are well stocked with thermal clothing, wooly socks, coats, gloves, electric heater, and such.  We will plan to leave tomorrow morning and motor our way further south in NC to yet another marina with shore power for another night below freezing!