Morehead City

December 12, 2012

We are in Morehead City for a few days.  We had planned to leave this morning, but there was a weather report of high winds.  We decided it would be best to stay put.  Jane & Bob of Seaflat also stayed for the night in Morehead City.  They warned us of military operations that were going on at Camp Lejeune.  While running their practice sessions, the ICW is closed to through traffic which means we would have to anchor for a while.  It wouldn't be very comfortable to anchor with such high winds, so we made the right decision to stay in Morehead City. 

Bill of SeaRenity loaned us his truck to make a run to the grocery store.   Steve dropped me off in town so that I could walk back and visit the stores.  Many have closed for the winter season.  By the time I made it back to Dockside Marina, the wind was making it difficult to walk a straight line.  We decided to stay in for the night because the weather was so ugly.  I decorated the small artificial we purchased at Lowe's grocery store.

Early this morning we heard and saw the USS San Antonio come in about 100 yards from where we are docked.  We are staying adjacent to the US Navy Port Control Office where The San Antonio was coming to restock.  You can see this ship by clicking here.

The crew took delivery and moved aboard three days before Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. Work was delayed further when the ship became a base for regional relief efforts, including accommodations for some shipyard workers, the National Guard, Navy diving and salvage personnel and government officials. The ship's final cost was $840 million over budget

This ship is one of several that have been dispatched to help with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.  She is 684 feet long, a beam of 105 feet and a draft of 23 feet.  Behemoth is the word that comes to mind when I look at this ship.  She is armed with two 30 mm Bushmaster II cannons, for surface threat defense and Two Rolling Airframe Missiles launchers for air defense. We could see a guard posted on board carrying an automatic rifle.  Steve and I waved at the guard to let him know we respected his vessel.  I didn't know whether to feel safe or fearful that the USS San Antonio was nearby. 

Prop was from the tug pushing the USS San Antonio

One of three tugs working the big ship into place

We were thrilled to be able to see the tug boats pulling and pushing this magnificent vessel into place.  The backwash from the tugboats was tremendous.  We didn't feel anything, but the sailboats docked next to us, were taking a direct hit from the turbulent water stirred up by the tugs.  The water looked like the white water rapids of the Ocoee River. 

Bill of SeaRenity loaned us his truck to make a run to the grocery store.   Steve dropped me off in town so that I could walk back and visit the stores.  Many have closed for the winter season.  By the time I made it back to Dockside Marina, the wind was making it difficult to walk a straight line.   I made sea shell ornaments and decorated the small artificial we purchased at Lowe's grocery store after returning for the evening. 

Romans 8:28              Job 42:1-3       1 Peter 5:7