Last day of November - Vernon River to Duplin River - Anchored out

Three other boats joined us at anchor and all were early risers. We had the anchor up and on the move just at the crack of dawn, sun filling the sky with a golden rose y glow. We set out still chilly for us at 47 degrees, but with hot breakfast rolls , tea and coffee we were on our way. One of the very narrow land cuts is called Hell's gate. There is room for may-be two pleasure boats passing in opposite directions but not for a tug and barge. One was coming through and ourselves and two other boats gave him the leeway  I will never forget is very bass voice coming over the radio. "I'm north bound headed for Hell's Gate" almost like something John Wayne would say. 

The trip was as zig - zag as before. We ended up with a trail of about 5 other sail boats and one Tug all headed for Duplin River. The sun did warm up things a tad, I made dinner and we settled down for the night, birds calling out from the marsh grass that surrounded our little watery nook.

sunrise off Vernon River 

I believe this is a Golden Eagle

That"s the ocean 

we were crossing St. Catherine's Sound and then Cumberland Sound.
Finally room to sail - This is Northern Lights 

I believe they are out of business

there are mounds of discarded shells were birds roost all along
this part of the ICW

I see ocean

Our anchor site in Duplin River with Thistle, North Lights, Bay Tripper

a glorious Georgia Sunset