We're in New Bern where my wife will catch a flight to Philadelphia tomorrow morning for a visit with her daughter who will be recovering from surgery. She'll catch up with me somewhere down the road.

As we passed by the entrance to the Dismal Swamp the sign said Open but I didn't fall for it. The locks are now operating, thus allowing boats that rode out Matthew in the canal to finally exit. There are still lots of downed trees that the Corps will be clearing out. So far I haven't seen any problems for boats traveling the ICW. In fact the extra foot or so of water opens up more anchorages. I have noticed unusually strong currents, presumably from escaping flood waters. I did hear a rumor of severe shoaling near Wrightsville Beach but I never go that way. I always run outside between the Beaufort and Masonboro inlets.

If I see anything south of here that's worth reporting, I'll post an update.