Sandbars, Shrimp boats, Shoal draft, Salt marshes We travelled in the rain today and anchored out at M263 in strong winds (gusting to 35 knots). Flood warnings are being broadcast on our VHF radio, which explains why all the beautiful homes that we see edging the shore, have the strange design feature of starting on the 2nd floor. The narrow channel that we are travelling along, on the edge of Bogue Sound is bordered by sandbars, salt marshes and sand dunes. We are constantly grateful that we have a shoal draft and only require 4'l0" of water, however we do find going aground here in the sand to be much more forgiving than the North Channel rocks. While moving along today in rainy but warmer temperatures (62F), we sighted 5 dolphins and many great white heron and pelicans. We continue to see many shrimp boats. We're told the fishermen name their boats after their mothers or daughters as their wives change too frequently.