Georgetown

November 12-13

Anchors aweigh at 8:30 arriving in historic Georgetown in time for lunch.  Harbor Walk Marina proved to be a great little marina right in the midst of "downtown" - top notch restroom, shower, laundry, and a front porch just perfect for cocktails at sunset. 

On our first walk through, we found a great bakery, coffee shop, unique shops, historic homes, and the "rice museum" in the building with the clock tower.

On day 2, we biked through several blocks of homes dating back to 1740 set among the live oaks - beautiful!  

Georgetown Harbor is also home to more than 20 shrimp boats, so for dinner, we walked a couple of blocks to Independent Seafood for fresh (right off the boat) shrimp, tuna, crab........ we're really getting spoiled!

Back at the dock, we'd been joined by another 39 Krogen, Selkie.  

                        

3 in a row --- what fun!  

Of course, we had to compare notes over cocktails on the porch.  We'll all be moving on tomorrow.

State #8, South Carolina

November 8 - 11

The ICW takes us on into South Carolina, through a varying terrain, from grassy marsh with "low country" fishermen

past ocean inlets where shrimpers abound and you can pick up fresh seafood at little markets like this one

and past beautiful oceanside resort communities of canal front homes

The last 3 miles from our destination includes the infamous "Rock Pile". This stretch, just north of North Myrtle Beach, is a narrow 2.3 mile cut that had to be blasted out of rock.  Nothing like a challenge to finish the day!

Barefoot Marina in North Myrtle Beach is just across the river from Barefoot Landing shopping and outlet mall.  Just a 20 minute walk across the bridge, there was also a theater that was hosting the "Beach (as in Myrtle Beach) Music Awards".  Apparently this is an annual THING the weekend after the CMA Awards.

These tailgaters were all dressed up in coat/tie and long gowns............  And the place was packed!  You can see the marina just across the ICW in the background.



While they all enjoyed the show, we enjoyed a great happy hour (dinner) next door at the Flying Fish.  It's also a fish market, so we took some lovely fresh grouper home for another meal.


Time for a little peace and quiet!  The next 30 miles takes us along the Waccamaw River where we're seeing true fall colors and spanish moss hanging from the trees - beautiful ride.

Day Dreams in Cow House Creek

 By noon we arrived in Cow House Creek,  behind an island just off the river.  Though off the main waterway, the current was surprising.  It took 2 tries, but by noon, we were anchored securely.  A lazy afternoon followed by fresh fish on the grill ..................

There was some rain overnight, but by 11 it was time for a dinghy cruise across the river to Wacca Wache Marina.  After a nice walk along the golf course, we had a lovely lunch at K Rae's (yummy lobster roll) and then headed back to the boats.

The Cape Fear Coastal Region

November 4 - 7

Our journey thus far is at 2032 miles, 68 stops as we leave Mile Hammock Bay behind.

The Navy and Marines were setting up for the big exercise as we left.



First in meant following everyone else on the way out...........







in the "dance of the snowbirds"







The saying on the ICW is that "if you haven't gone aground, you will - or you lie"!  Well, we would have our turn today.  While waiting for a bridge opening just before stopping for the day, the current took us off to the side of the channel and aground.  Fortunately, Garry was able to maneuver us off and back into the channel.  Lesson learned!






Our destination for the night was Seapath Marina at Wrightsville Beach, NC, arriving early enough to enjoy a walk on the beach.  After poking into a shop or two, we picked up fresh fish to cook for dinner.



November 5 -7 would be spent at Deep Point Marina in Southport, NC.  This historic fishing village is home to less than 3000 residents, but has a maritime museum,  cute shops, 3 bakeries. and many historic homes.




Live Oaks (not the oak trees we see in the midwest) abound, including this one that is estimated to be over 400 years old.













The giant winding branches of this one seem to be wrapping this house in a warm embrace.









Wednesday and Thursday we all did the ride into town, enjoying the lovely homes, great stuff from the bakery and lunch at a waterfront restaurant.  It was a little cool sitting outdoors, but the shrimp tacos and the grouper were awesome!






Friday Jan and I made the trip to town on our own, enjoying a leisurely latte, shopping (there was a Christmas shop that was a mini "Bronners" packed into a Victorian home) and even a little wine tasting.  What a treat!

Maneuvers -- OORAH!

November 3    Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage

Finally out of Morehead City under clearing skies and diminishing wind!  Time for a nice quiet? anchorage.  Mile Hammock Bay is a man made basin smack in the middle of Camp LeJeune military base.  We civilians can anchor there but are not permitted to go ashore.  

A pair of dolphins provided a proper escort as we made our way to the anchorage. 

A Coast Guard security detail rolled out the welcome mat, reminding us that military exercises would begin the following morning at 8 am and to plan our departure accordingly.  Meanwhile, the Coasties and marines provided a full afternoon's entertainment..............

Small vessels of all types launched from the ramp in the bay, landing craft,












                            Patrol boats,










And helos, OH MY!

Things settled down as darkness descended --- although by that time we'd been joined by 18 more boats!  Not exactly a "secluded" spot, but who could complain about this ending?

Weathered in

October 30 - November 2   Morehead City, NC

We reluctantly left River Dunes behind, heading further south down the coast to Morehead City Yacht Basin.  Very different atmosphere --- the marina is located on a main highway in a rather industrial looking area.  Because of the short docks, we had to "stern in" (back in) -- not an easy task with increasing winds and a current to contend with!

It is also a major port, including Navy ships like this one, the USS New York.  This battleship was made with 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the Twin Towers after 9-1-1.  She was in port in preparation for maneuvers with the Marines stationed at nearby Camp Lejeune.  More on that later...........

"Into each life some rain must fall"   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A 2-night stay became 4 as rain moved in on Saturday along with relentless winds and COLD!   As usual, we made the best of it, working in walks into town where we found a coffee shop, fresh seafood, and a turtle print perfect for framing.

We also took advantage of the "courtesy?" car ($10 for 2 hours) to provision up at Walmart and get a little "Maxxonista" shopping in.




The town Chamber of Commerce clued us in on local bus service (the short bus) for a ride across the bridge to historic Beaufort.


Lots of history and a great little waterfront marina and shopping area made for an enjoyable afternoon.









The marina staff had organized a "boaters potluck" for Sunday afternoon.  So despite the weather, we met several other snowbirds making their way south.  We really can't complain too much..............



There are palm trees lining the walkway








And the dolphins are swimming along with us

So we'll turn on the heat and look for sunshine and calm winds tomorrow!

A Brief Respite

October 27 -29   River Dunes

We'd been moving steadily for the last week, so planned to spend 3 nights at River Dunes Marina near Oriental, NC.  What a perfect place to relax for a few days!

We took full advantage of the pool (first one that's been open), hot tub, club house screened porch with fireplace and just chilled!

They also provided a courtesy van, so we were able to venture into town for a little coffee shop and some great shopping at Nautical Wheeler -- even the guys found good stuff!  We just couldn't fit it all into one 2-hour trip, so we had to move grocery shopping to the following day.

This one gets 5 stars -- we'll be back!

Doin' the Swamp and more

October 22 - 26

Ah the Dismal Swamp -- one of 2 options to get to the Albermarle Sound going south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).  Not nearly so dismal as the name implies, the advantage is the speed limit geared to our usual pace which means no "fast" power boats making huge wakes.  

The disadvantage is the crowd ............

There was a bit of a jam due to the windy weather, so we stopped at the halfway point at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center overnight.  Another first --- this is both a boating stop AND a highway rest area AND a State Park.  

It was also our first rafting experience --- four deep and four long on the courtesy dock.  

             Where's Waterford?????

Out of the swamp, we stopped overnight at Elizabeth City's Mariner's Wharf, where we enjoyed a visit to their museum and some yummy fish tacos.  

Friday morning it was on across the sound to the Alligator River and another first  -- note the Shell sign in the background.  You guessed it, a marina/gas station combo!  

Adequate, but would probably skip this one next time.

Out of the Alligator River, we anchored overnight in the Pungo River before moving on.  We've been scouting out these anchorages along the way and will likely be doing a lot more anchoring next summer.

Next stop, Belhaven Waterway Marina.  What a delightful cozy little place!  We enjoyed cocktails on the porch with Ann and Roger aboard Third Reef.  Owners Les and Brenda joined us with Les playing his guitar and all of us singing along.  Fun evening, capped off by another gorgeous sunset.

Leaving the Chesapeake

October 16 -20  Norfolk, VA

It's my birthday --- there's a song for that!


It was a busy morning as several boats, including the pizza party gang, were out of the dock by 7:30.  However, the oyster boats had beaten us to the punch.  There were at least 100 of them ........
the Lake Erie fleet pales in comparison!!











And these guys were towing nets at more than trolling speed ----- it was like "bumper boats" at an amusement park --- on a very large scale!

The "mother ship"

Although the day started out with clouds and a light chop, the sun was shining as we arrived in Little Creek, Norfolk, VA.  This harbor is home to the Navy amphibious unit (the craft used to land out troops on the beach at Normandy and their "mother ship").   Security boats at the harbor entrance make sure you don't get too close!





Once again, it took 2 tries to get an acceptable marina facility.  We ended up backed in on the end of a dock looking directly across to the "mother ship".  So for the next 5 days we were wakened to the sound of Reveille, the Star Spangled Banner and all the service anthems --- very impressive --- so much for sleeping in!








Once settled, it was time for the birthday celebration at Captain Groovy's -- love that 60's vibe!  Great seafood and bread pudding for dessert, yum.











The day ended with this beautiful scene!

Touring the retired battleship Wisconsin.

We enjoyed a 5-day stay in Norfolk.  Doug and Jan were able to spend time with Doug's nephew, John, who lives and works in the area.


While Garry and I spent time with my sister Linda and Tim.  They were spending a week's vacation at a timeshare in nearby Virginia Beach.   We took advantage of car availability to do a few chores and still had time to take in some of the sights.  It was really great to see them and catch up.









Our journey resumed on Tuesday, Oct 21.  What a great start to a beautiful day!






Our route would take us through downtown Norfolk and the heart of the naval base.  At over 4000 acres, it is the largest naval base in the world.

This is just one of the many ships lining the waterfront!







It's impossible to describe how massive they are, or how tiny you feel, until you meet even a "small cruiser" in the channel!











We cruised right by the Wisconsin and the Nauticus Center ---- looks way different when seen from the water.........












Next stop, Deep Creek Anchorage, at the entrance to the Dismal Swamp.

Day Dreams in Deep Creek Anchorage.

Anchors down at 12:20.  The adventure begins tomorrow, but for now, we'll enjoy the quiet beauty.