November 15, 2023 Wrightsville Beach, NC

Yesterday we got the boat and ourselves ready for the overnight sail from Beaufort to Wrightsville Beach. Took Caramel for a longer walk and enjoyed the natural world. We left the Marina around 2:00pm. The first few hours were calm and pleasant with 8-12 kt winds on a broad reach. We were (literally) sailing off into the sunset! 

After dark the conditions grew more challenging. Winds were at our back and grew to 15-25 kts. We reefed the sails and opted to sail further out that our planned route for a couple of hours to stay on the broad reach, then jibe back toward the route where we sailed for several more hours in steadily building seas. Lots of rockin' & rollin' throughout the night. Caramel didn't know where to settle and we made some 'nesting' spots for her. 

We arrived at the channel still in the dark so headed back out for 1-2 hours so we could navigate the channel to the anchorage in the morning light. Now at anchor, we are recovering from a night of no sleep and staying warm after a windy and chilly night.