North Carolina, Day 4

Another excellent day. We got an early start and sailed out to Bald Head Island, just across the Cape Fear Inlet, to spend the day. We arrived just before 9:30am and Bob got a slip for the day. Then we rented a six person golf cart for our local transportation for the day.

Captains Lori and Bob, and First Mate Kevin set sail for Bald head Island.

Our rental car for the day.

Once we unloaded the boat onto the cart with all our stuff, we headed out to explore the island. We started by checking out the BHI lighthouse ("Old Baldy"). A lot of steps to climb, and a somewhat tight fit to reach the very top, but it was worth the exercise. You could see pretty much the entire island from the top, it was quite a view.

A view of the marina from the lighthouse.

Looking down through the lighthouse at the men.

After the lighthouse, we drove out to the supermarket to get some sandwiches to pack in our lunch. Then it was a fairly long drive out to the beach. What a great beach it was . . . Nice clean sand and clean water. We parked ourselves there for a couple of hours. John and I brought our baseball gloves and played catch for a while. Then Maria and Lori took the boys for a walk up the beach to collect some shells. After that, we sat down to enjoy lunch.

Watch out for that wave, Kevin!

Dad and John play catch.

After lunch, Maria and Lori took another walk, with Kevin tagging along. Bob and I stayed behind with John. The clouds finally broke mid-afternoon and the sun finally made an appearance. When the ladies returned and took a brief rest, we packed up and started driving back towards the marina. We made a brief stop at the Turtle Museum, then went back to the boat. We loaded our stuff back onto the boat and then went back to return the golf cart and buy a couple of souvenirs.

Kevin found a huge conch with an occupant.

The boys had a great time at the beach.

The sail back (completely by engine, since there really wasn't enough wind to sail by) was quite enjoyable with the sun out. The boys and I sat up by the bow for the whole trip back. Then we headed back to the house to relax for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow is our last full day of vacation. We have no plans at all, we're just going to play it by ear. Then we head back to CT on Sunday, a 13 1/2 hour drive.

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