Where should we go today?

The default Saturday. Idle up the ICW, tie up free at Dockside, eat on the water, be home before the afternoon chop builds.

Fifteen minutes across to one of the prettiest waterfront towns on the East Coast. Dock on Front Street, walk to everything.

Anchor off the north end, walk across to the ocean side, spend the day. The most-run trip in the whole county for a reason.

Boat-in state park beach with an actual bathhouse. Cleanest, least crowded beach day on this stretch of coast.

Short hop up the White Oak, free dock at the Ice House, walk Front Street after. Best sunset seat in Onslow County.

Bogue Sound bars go dry at low tide. Beach the boat, set the chairs in a foot of warm water, raft up with whoever shows.

Cross the Cape Fear, dock in the harbor, rent a golf cart and spend the day on an island with no cars on it.

Twenty minutes from Front Street and you're on an undeveloped barrier island with a herd of wild horses on it.

Skinny water behind the island on a rising tide. Reds tailing in the grass. Shallow-draft boats only once you're off the channel.

The best natural anchorage in North Carolina. Full protection behind the cape, lighthouse in view, and room for a hundred boats.

Down the ICW through Snow's Cut, across the Cape Fear, tie up free at Provision Company. The trip locals send visitors on.

Up the Cape Fear into downtown. Tie up at Port City, walk the Riverwalk, eat downtown, run home in the dark if you're comfortable.