Saturday, November 28, 2009 Mile Hammock to Wrightsville and Serendipity

Mile Hammock Bay to Wrightsville Beach NC N34*33.177 W77*19.520 to N34*12.437 W77*47.898

     Serendipity: an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. Good fortune. Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries and my word for the day.

     Left Mile Hammock at 8am and had no problems today in our transit to Wrightsville Beach. The first bridge we had opened on the hour, the second one opened on the hour and half hour and the third one at Wrightsville opened on the hour. We had to hold up on both the hour ones for almost an hour just missing them.

     While waiting for the Wrightsville Beach Bridge two powerboats came by all gussied up for the holidays so I had to take pictures of them. The second one called “Buttered Nipple” asked us if we were staying in Wrightsville tonight and we answered yes. He yelled, “There’s a boat parade and fireworks starting at 6pm”. The Wrightsville Beach Bridge won’t be opening from 4pm until after 8:30pm because of the parade but we had caught the 3pm opening so it didn’t matter. 

     People were lining up all along the bridge at 5pm to get a spot and we were anchored near the bridge. I had thought “oh boy, another boat parade”. But Wow! They kicked off with a volley of fireworks then the boat parade followed. The boats were really decked out – like the rose parade or something. It was really something to see. One little one must have been a wave rider. It was decked out to look like a little blue tinker bell – quite awesome. I was thoroughly charmed by it as it fluttered by our boat. Another one – my favorite was one decked out for the Wizard of Oz – complete with sound effects and smoke and music. Two Santa boats, a snoopy float, a Christmas tree float… quite a few had music as well as costumes and moving parts. My other favorite float was a little one that was a lighthouse. A doghouse brought up the rear. I had a terrific time! I only wish I could have gotten my camera to cooperate. I think that the fireworks came out but the boats looked a bit washed out. This was, without a doubt, the best boat parade I’ve seen to date.

 Wrightsville Beach puts on quite a show that’s second to none. I found out listening to a radio announcer that the winning boat gets a 4 night stay at a resort in the Bahamas – now that’s some prize! It definitely shows that people put a lot of time, effort and money into their floats for the Santa flotilla!

Serendipity strikes again!