Felt like Moses being denied the Promised Land

Well maybe I've gone overboard with that statement -- but I felt it briefly today.

We had a nice night on the hook in terrible hot and humid conditions. I ran the Genset and both AC units aboard. I waited till dark to start to not annoy the neighbors too much. I know -- what a guy! It's nice but the noise drowns out everything else and I miss not being able to hear the ambient sounds of the night.

We left Cape Lookout at 7:30am this morning to see how far we could get in the forecast 110 degree heat index today. Damn the air was thick with humidity early this morning.

Anchor came up easily but the crossing to the inlet was rough. That 10 - 15kts from the South-Southwest had created short wind waves that rolled us terribly. Too much on the noise to put out a steadying sail. We just suffered for an hour and 20 minutes. Once in the inlet we had a favorable current all the way in and up Adams Creek.

WE hit Adams Creek number 1 at 12:15pm and thought briefly of going to Oriental for the night. It was hot but manageable so we pushed on. Then a favorable wind came up and we motor sailed through the Ferry crossing and on up to the Green 11 channel. BUT about 2 miles from the channel we heard thunder and saw lightning. The whole river ahead of us was dark with bright streaks of lightning going cloud to water.

I decided to anchor and wait. We headed to shore near Flanners Beach and dropped the hook and waited. Lots of lightning and a little rain -- no wind fortunately. We waited about 20 minutes in heat stifling conditions then after we hadn't seen any lightning awhile we pushed on through the light rain.

Near Hammonds shoal the rain stopped and we headed to the marina with the sound of distant thunder. WE got in and tied up before the next band hit. Paul asked how it was on the river and told us that Melinda's boat -- the marina charter boat was hit by lightning earlier. No one was injured but the boat suffered damage. Damn we were lucky!!

The heat took its toll on us. After turning on the air and taking showers we both had a 30 minute nap..

It's dinner on board tonight and early to bed. Maybe we will take a driving trip the Beaufort tomorrow -- another forecast heat index day of 110 degrees.