Chilling in NC, watching for a weather window, dreaming of warmth...

(Written December 24)

Yesterday started out with great wind and nice temperatures, then winds picked up to around 35 knots from the NW and temperatures plunged.... as did water levels. I've never seen water levels so low: winds from the NE cause high water, but this NW wind just sucked it away, leaving various boats in the marina a bit tilted. 

A project boat anchored off the marina dragged anchor or broke free and is sitting on it's side. I sure hope the drain for the sink is closed or that boat is probably full of water and will sink when the water returns. (It is floating! Hooray!)

Temperatures are supposed to be around 17degF and water to the docks has been shut off. 

Cold? YES! I've never seen foam freeze like this:

I've borrowed a heater from a friend and plugged it into dock power, so that keeps me around 50degF.... but it DOES suck to be in this cold. I have a car-seat heater warming my back and butt and Monty insists on spending a lot of time in the cockpit, but at least is willing to burrow under a sleeping bag I gave him. He also is quite willing to snuggle to get comfort from the noisy storm and cold.

Anyway, winter brings nasty storms, high winds, headwinds, big waves.... I'm looking for a decent weather window to head south as it does NOT pay to be foolish. Heck: I've already read about two catastrophic cruises this fall, one ending when the two fellows (who, inexplicably, CHOSE to go into the open just north of Cape Hatteras and then round it) were rescued after drifting ten days and another young and inexperienced fellow single handing who simply disappeared with his boat after nasty winds south of Long Island. I want to tell stories, not be the subject of one. A friend of mine once said that good planning and preparation should make for uneventful cruises and I'm just fine with telling people about shooting stars and whales rather than about getting dismasted or rolled or injured.

I thought about departing on Christmas, but sailing at 20degF sounds pretty lousy, so I'm looking at Tuesday when temps will be above freezing. It looks like I can get out into the open and start sailing by that evening, then make Charleston area within a few days, sailing a bit slowly due to low (but nice) winds. Then I'll wait for another window...

Anyway, stay warm, my friends, and let's count our blessings.