Hurricane Irene
I have been watching her since her birth off the coast of Africa. She has caused havoc in the Bahamas and now is heading our way. We left the Keys to get away from this stuff!
     We spent a few days in Beaufort and finished up Lyric's bedding, then shipped it. We scoped out sites to sit out the storm - in case it headed this way. Found a great spot on South River off the Neuse River. Southwest Creek had an amazing lagoon up against banks lined with pine and cedar trees.  It is straight across Neuse River from Oriental but has NO cell coverage or Internet access. So we left on a quest for getting word to friends and family where we were going to be. Ended up back in Oriental for one more night before coming here to begin preparations for Irene. This is our first big storm to weather on the sailboat. We have too much experience tying up dive boats for wind and surge (2005-2010 in the Keys).  One step is to get anchors ready and lines to shore ready. Another is to completely strip everything off the above deck area. We were extra careful during all of these tasks as an injury at that time could mean disaster for us and the boat.  When we returned from Oriental, there were 2 boats in Southwest Creek - but neither one had found "our" spot!!  We decided to have a hurricane party after all the chores got done. After all, we had 2 pounds of fresh shrimp. Met some cool cruisers - boats are Saga and Island Girl. Fun party but ooooooohhhh the fun was about to begin!!  They left in mid afternoon and the outer bands had already begun. About 10 pm on Aug 26, the winds started and didn't let up until the eye of the Hurricane came over us at 8:10 am and stayed for 2 1/2 hours - it was eerily calm and HUMID!  Then the wind on the back side came in. As I write, it is 2 pm and hasn't let up yet. One of our new  friends' boat has been dragging anchor and we may be donning life jackets and foul weather gear to go help him - no engine and single handed sailor. He did get anchors to hold and we didn't have to go help him. 
     We were talking about how some terms we have encountered lately don't produce confidence. Cape Fear is one. The other is the river close to where we are anchored. The Neuce River pronounced like the knot used to hang someone. In spite of these terms, we have persevered over Mean Irene!
     I almost forgot to tell about how we cooled off after all our hard work prepping the boat. As I said, we were in our own little deep lagoon. The three of us went skinny dipping. Nice diversion from the stress. 
     Time to begin the travels south if the weather will cooperate.