The Day I Almost Wrecked the Boat

The last couple of days have been trying.  I've been trying.  The night before last we anchored in Alligator River.  The kids weren't interested in swimming because of the name.  I wasn't all that interested in them swimming because it was dusk.  I don't know if alligators are in the river, or if they feed on succulent, splashing children at dusk but I just didn't want to take the chance.

We've had several long days on the ICW, so they are starting to run together.  So this story is either from yesterday or the day before.  I honestly don't remember.  The ICW in North Carolina is at times very pretty, but at times it seems forlorn and God forsaken.  Ryan stays at the helm most of the time.  So on this almost fateful day I took over the helmsman duties so he could cool off down below.  Our generator is running nicely and keeps us cool in this hot summer heat.  Thank God.  So, we are in the middle of this narrow canal, but it is quite straight.  Ryan steers by autopilot - he does +1 or -1 or +10 or -10 to change course instead of hand steering.  He's so good at it he makes it look easy.  Ok, I can do this, I think.  He heads below, closing the companionway doors effectively sealing himself off.  He and Zachary begin a fierce game of Star Wars on the Wii.  I'm in the middle of a fantastic book, The Family by Mario Puzzi.  Other times I've taken over the helm I can read a page, look up and around, then go back to my boat.  I realize in this narrow canal I must pay a bit more attention, but I'm relaxed.  The autopilot is set, the boat is holding course.  I look at the chartplotter.  There is a current pushing us a little to starboard.  I hit -1 and remain calm.  I look up from my book and we are a bit over to the side.  I decide to stand behind the wheel and make more adjustments.  Suddenly I see the depth says 4.1 and we begin to tilt sideways.  I scream (not terribly smart, I know, but I did), then fumble to get it off auto and back to standby.  Shit, where was that button?  Then I turn the wheel hard over to get her back into the center.  Ryan, hearing my scream, thunders up the steps and yells at me.  He never yells.  Ever.  I start to get defensive and blame the chartplotter until he points back to our wake and says "Look where you were!"  Yes, we were dangerously close to the shore.  Thank God for our full keel, or I probably would have beached us.  I realized that I was so busted as he eyed my book and lectured me about paying attention.  That went down in the log book as the day I almost wrecked the boat.  I hand steered, without my book, the rest of the time.

Last night we were in Belhaven.  A weird, weird, little town.  Today we made it to Oriental.  The choaker festival is going on.  Woo hoo!  We've had a very nice afternoon.   I'll have pictures tomorrow.  Tonight there are fireworks.  We are in a very crowded marina and harbor, it's a party!  We'll have a perfect view of the fireworks from our stern.  We're letting the kids stay up late, a decision I don't really think is smart, but we'll see.  I wonder if they'll do fireworks again on Monday?

In a couple of days we'll head to Morehead City, NC and wait for a weather window to go offshore and make it to Charleston.  But for now, we're having fun.  I'm pushing my luck, I know, but I'm going to poor me a glass of red wine and go up on deck.  Gasp!