Our journey today will take us 44 miles up the ICW. Many of the drawbridges have been replaced by 65' (clearance) high rise bridges. Most of the drawbridges we can pass under because they have 21' or more of clearance. However there are two bridges today that we must wait for an opening. The little river Bridge (7') opens on demand but the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge (0') opens at the top of the hour. What's a pontoon bridge?--never saw one either until today. The floating pontoon remains in place across the river and cars drive across its one lane bridge. The bridge tender resides in the little white house. He emerged with from this cocoon with a pair of ear muffs on. Can't imagine the racket that is made as the cars move across his bridge. When it is time to open the bridge he pivots the pontoon out of the way so the boats can pass through. It is a one lane bridge with a stop light at each end . Busy too. Nice bright day to travel with very little wind although the day started out a little chilly but warmed up nicely to 70 degrees. Again every anchorage is anxious and may have changed since last visited in the guidebooks. This one was textbook perfect. The anchorage is very near Southport NC near the Cape Fear river. A beautiful calm night.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
May 13 Pipeline Canal Anchorage mm311
Our journey today will take us 44 miles up the ICW. Many of the drawbridges have been replaced by 65' (clearance) high rise bridges. Most of the drawbridges we can pass under because they have 21' or more of clearance. However there are two bridges today that we must wait for an opening. The little river Bridge (7') opens on demand but the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge (0') opens at the top of the hour. What's a pontoon bridge?--never saw one either until today. The floating pontoon remains in place across the river and cars drive across its one lane bridge. The bridge tender resides in the little white house. He emerged with from this cocoon with a pair of ear muffs on. Can't imagine the racket that is made as the cars move across his bridge. When it is time to open the bridge he pivots the pontoon out of the way so the boats can pass through. It is a one lane bridge with a stop light at each end . Busy too. Nice bright day to travel with very little wind although the day started out a little chilly but warmed up nicely to 70 degrees. Again every anchorage is anxious and may have changed since last visited in the guidebooks. This one was textbook perfect. The anchorage is very near Southport NC near the Cape Fear river. A beautiful calm night.
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