Find…

Sunrise at Anchor: Shackleford Banks From Aboard Grit

Published March 22, 2026

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

Good Sunday morning from aboard Grit anchored off Shackleford Banks. I was lying in my berth this morning, wrapped in my cozy green wool blanket when Julia said, “Wow, look at the sky.” I wriggled out of my snug bedding, stepped onto the dewy deck, and this is what I saw.

First light of dawn over Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, before sunrise — 7:06 am: The first light of dawn moments before the sun rose. That’s Shackleford Banks on the right.

Sunrise over Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, March 22, 2026 — 7:10 am: Sunrise, March 22, 2026

Sun rising above the horizon at Shackleford Banks, North Carolina — 7:12 am: We have lift off

Sunrise viewed through sailboat Grit's rigging and lazy jacks at Shackleford Banks — The sunrise as seen through *Grit*‘s rigging. Those angled lines running through the two blocks are the lazy jacks that keep the sails semi-ordered as they are lowered on top of the boom.

Rising sun viewed through Grit's bronze porthole, Shackleford Banks — The rising sun as viewed through the bronze port hole over my berth

Sun filtered through the bug screen on Grit's bronze porthole, Shackleford Banks — Filtered sunrise: close-up of the sun as seen through the bug screens on the bronze port

Sunset over Shackleford Banks seen while paddling back to sailboat Grit at dusk — Someone else’s sunrise. The scene yesterday evening as I paddled back to *Grit* at sundown. I always like to think how one person’s sunrise is another’s sunset.

Experience More Shackleford Banks

Julia and I had a wild boat ride getting to Shackleford Banks from Oriental, where we launched Grit last week. Read about the kayak swampings and the quieter moments on Shackleford here. More about life aboard Grit here — from cooking on a swing stove to Julia’s solo Old Maid card game.

Julia is posting about the wild horses that live on Shackleford Banks. Start with Second Day on Shackleford Banks.

I wish you a great day however your sun came up.

Julia’s side of the voyage at Saddle Under the Stars:

More about:

stories from Julia's and my trips aboard Grit.
Julia's and my time with the wild ponies of Shackleford Banks.

Let's Keep in Touch

Sign up for The River, the RiverEarth newsletter, for occasional doses of rambling and homestead life. Plus you'll get a free copy of my 155-page illustrated ebook 19 Million Mule Steps.

Just enter your email below and hit Subscribe.