This has been an unusual spring here on the Crystal Coast. The winds have kept most of us off the water. While wind in the spring is not unusual, continuous wind is. As the waters have warmed so has the desire to be out on them.
The passion for enjoying the water is so great here that our hearts often believe that the water is actually calmer than our mind knows it to be.
I spent some time surf fishing over on the beach last week. It was very pleasant standing in the surf flipping a lure into trough between the sandbar and the beach.
Actually it was so enjoyable that I convinced myself that it might be a good idea to go kayaking on the river. After dinner I did just that. The winds were quiet as I left the dock, but by the time I got to the river, I knew that I would not stay long. The river was impressive with some nice waves.
It did not take me long to get home. That was the third time that I have pushed my luck and believed my heart over my eyes. We will get great days soon, but waiting for them is no longer fun.
Carteret County is over one half water. People like me move here to enjoy the water. We often enjoy it to the point of exhaustion in the summer and fall. Right now I am running on memories of good times.
I do a lot of slide shows on the Internet. While in theory I do the sites with slides so that people thinking about visiting the area can have an idea of the scenery before they come, one reason behind the websites with area scenery is provide to me with an escape mechanism for those times when being on the water is impossible.
Sometimes like today, I have to visit my favorite private island in Bogue Inlet. Other days require me to take a complete trip from our dock down the White Oak, buoy by buoy, and out in the ocean by the beaches. I call that slide show Mackerel Morning.
I am hoping to be on the water by the weekend. I probably will not venture out into Bogue Inlet since this weekend will bring the crowds of Memorial Day, but they will gone by Monday or Tuesday.
Then the waters will be ours once again. Hope springs eternal that the winds will drop down as the snows in Canada stop. AS spring comes to the North, summer can safely come to the Crystal Coast.
It is time to be fishing the sounds and beaches. I can hear the waters calling me.
