2019-11-07 — HAM Fest – Southport, NC – Sharing With Friends

We departed Campbell Creek and made a long day passage around the peninsula to New Bern NC.

Annette (KK4YVJ) and I (KK4YVL) are both licenced Amatuer Radio Operators licensed at the “General” level. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_licensing_in_the_United_States ). We belong and are part of the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club which meets daily via our HAM Radio. Members are located far west Texas, Nassau Bahamas, Maine and the entire east coast. There is a yearly picnic previously held in Melbourne FL but this year in New Bern NC. Annette actually has a family history of Amatuer Radio, her father David (W8YBF).

We arrived in time to take part in a small pre-picnic happy hour hosted by Jeannie (N4WFM ) and Bill (KE4VUF).

Returning to the marina where Magnolia was moored we were gifted with a spectacular sunset.

It was a fun day of seeing and many cases meeting people we have only spoken to over the radio. Many former cruisers are now rv’ers so the location was the local KOA Campground. Lunch was a catered affair and was some of the best fried chicken I have ever tasted!!!

Our friends Tom & Sandy (SV Anania)

After a wonderful day ashore Magnolia was underway racing cooling temperatures.

The day started off beautifully!

How beautiful? Beautiful enough that required the “super good looking” over the top sunglasses. Ugly, but very effective again on the water glare.

A brief overnight stop at the Marine Corps Camp Lejeune

Heading for Carolina Beach, NC. This is one of those stops that was WAY overdue…it is one one those “you must stop” stops which we often bypass. Finally though it was time. Sadly, Britts Donuts was closed for the season…:-(

Next stop up was Southport NC and a visit with our friends Joe and Christine.

(http://www.oakislandlighthouse.org/) — (http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island_Light) — First up was a private tour of the Oak Island Lighthouse.

While we climbed the 170ft to the top of the light, Christine opted for the quiet walk along the beach!

We definitely scored the perfect afternoon for the visit. The views of Oak Island, Cape Fear and Southport were amazing! Looking east towards Cape Fear.

Looking SW towards South Carolina.

Next two are view from the lighthouse towards downtown Southport.

Drinks for the crew after that climb!!!

Speaking of crews! As you can see Christine is a longtime crew since her passage aboard sailboat Magnolia. We finally put together an opportunity for Joe & Christine as well as out lighthouse tour guide Harry & Joanne to get underway to Myrtle Beach.

A little side note….our friend Joe use to have his own “boat” too. Which added no stress to the days underway period…

Yes, his last “boat” was the USS Mobile Bay! Yea, no stress….kidding actually none, which is why Joe is a great leader. None the less here is the Pilothouse Crew underway on the ICW.

All successful passages need to be celebrated with a bit of “Grog”.

Next up our visit to Myrtle Beach and family reunion!

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