Thanksgiving with the Johnsons

Hope all of you had a happy Thanksgiving.

Once again we have a lot of catching up to do.  My brother Clarence died on November 18.  We left the boat dcoked at Barefoot Marina in Myrtle Beach, rented a car and went home for the funeral.  I know he's not suffering anymore but it left a hig ole hole in my heart and in our family.

Tuesday mroning we got up early and drove back to Myrtle Beach, the first 2 hours in pouring rain.  We got in early enough to fuel up, pump out and get provisions; even charted the next day's trip. We had planned to do about 50 miles but Mother Nature had other ideas...thunderstorm after midnight and gale force winds all day Wednesday.  We did manage to get the Christmas lights on the boat so that we can light up next week-end when our cruising club is in the Christmas flotilla. 

Thanksgiving dawned clear and COLD.  We made excellent time because of the tide and current.  We planned to anchor in the harbor at Georgetown but decided to take the road less traveled and went a couple of miles up the river to a small family-owned marina.  When we called to ask about a slip we also asked if there was someplace we could get a turkey dinner.  The lady, Lorene Johnson, said yes, at her house.  It was mid-afternnon by the time we got there and they had already eaten but she insisted that we come to the house and eat.  We had turkey with all the trimmings plus a homemade coconut cake (Phil's favorite dessert). Even though we were perfect strangers they invited us into their home and shared their food with us, a perfect example of biblical hospitality. We continue to be amazed at the generous, helpful people that we meet at every stop.

This morning we got up early, like 5:30 early, planning to pull out at first light.  However, the river was invisible with dense fog that didn't lift until almost 8:30.  Then we had a tough time getting the stern and spring lines off the dock because the tide had gone out and pulled them very tight.  Finally got underway at 8:30 planning to again make 50 miles.  It was slow going with the tide and current against us and Phil wasn't feeling well so we once again altered our plans.  The Leland Oil Co Marina is the only one between  Georgetown and the outskirts of Charlestown so that's where we pulled in around 1pm.  Would you believe it, the woman taking care of the marina had been a GI nurse for 30 years. She's not usually here but her husband had to take his truck in for repair work and she was holding down the fort.  After asking Phil several questions about his problem she decided that he's probably not going to konk out on me anytime soon. God willing, she's right.

For those of us who think Columbia is small, this little town halfway between Geogetown and Charleston, has 450 people, 2 restaurants, and a hardware store.  We took a walking tour of the town and thoroughly enjoyed the massive, old oak trees hanging full of moss.  Looks like a scene right out of "Gone With the Wind".  The streets are narrow, winding and some unpaved. We missed a turn coming back and wound up in a nice young man's backyard.  He was friendly, outgoing and spent a 1/2 hour talking to us before telling us how to get back to the marina...through several other backyards.

Phil felt better after our hike and took a nap.  Now he's had a bowl of soup and he's ready for bed so that we can attempt another daylight departure.

Some of these small marinas advertise wi-fi but the signal is weak and the owners don't really know what to do with it.  We will post again as soon as possible.

Seahawk and Kermit at Barefoot Marina

Grande Dunes Bridge, North Myrtle Beach

Our Thanksgiving benefactors, Mr & Mrs Johnson

Birding waiting for a shrimp dinner off the boat

Weather Delay, Friendly People, Sad News

We've got a lot of catching up to do.  After we left the library Tuesday afternoon we walked back to the harbor. An old gentleman passed us on his car, stopped and welcomed us to Southport. We ask him where the nearest pharmacy was and he told us it was about 2 miles.  Then he told us to get in the car and he'd take us there and back.  It reminded us of the "Rose Man" in Elizabeth City who passed away.

Wednesday morning was extremely foggy so we waited until daylight and then followed another sailboat out.  We bumped the sandbar going out and made it to the second ICW marker before turning back. It was too foggy to travel safely.  Robert, who lives across from the harbor met us at the city dock and helped us tie up. He said he gave us an A for coming back but a B for leaving in the first place. 

We had a thunderstorm about midnight and the fog and high winds continued through Thursday.  We had plenty of time to check out this lovely little town with a big town feeling.  Everybody we met was friendly and went out of their way to be helpful . Robert loaned us his truck to go for supplies, insisted that we use his washer and dryer to do our laundry.  His house sits up about 25 feet and looks down on the harbor. He invited us to come over and watch the sunset from his front porch. He and his wife are going to Marathon in January so we'll see them there.

This morning dawned clear and cold (34).  We left the harbor about 6:20 headed for Dock Holiday's Marina in Little River, SC.  We made such good time that we continued on to Myrtle Beach. The only tricky part of the trip is a 15 mile stretch through the Pine Island Cut.  The channel is narrow, the edges are prone to shoaling and rock ledges abut the deepest part of the channel. These ledges are visible only at low tide.  Fortunately this time of the year most boats are headed south so we didn't meet anyone in the cut.  If the Barefoot Island Swing Bridge hadn't held us up for an hour we would have been tied up by 2pm.  The bridge is undergoing repairs so along with 5 or 6 other boats we had to circle for an hour before it opened.

It may be several days before we post again because we received news today that my (Vi's) brother is not expected to live through the week-end.  We may go back home in the morning.  The people here at Barefoot Marina have agreed to let us leave the boat here and charge us a special rate.  My nephew lives 2 hours west of here and agreed to pick us up.  Everything just fell into place.  God really  does work in mysterious ways.

Please keep us in your prayers during this difficult time.

300 miles down and 900 to go!!!!

This morning we left the marina before full daylight. The water was glassy slick and we made both bridges with no delays. Stopped in Wrightsville Beach to pick up some ice that we couldn't get last night at that fancy private marina. 

Then the fun began.  Navigating the cut where you turn into Carolina Beach was challenging.  The current is very strong going through the bridge and there's lot of shoaling from the ancient sand dunes on the west side. Phil did a great job getting us thru and then came the Cape Fear River...lots of markers, swift currents and tides...things we don't have to deal with on the Albemarle Sound.

We finally pulled into Southport about 2pm hoping to find an anchorage in a small basin beside the city dock. There were already 2 boats anchored but the Southport Police Dept allows you to tie up for 24 hours at the city dock.  A very nice man helped us dock and then gave us directions to several places.

We sitting in the library now catching up on email and bringing you up to date.  Afterwards we're going to check out this lovely little town...who knows maybe we'd like to live here one day. 

Tomorrow night we plan to be in or very near the South Carolina line.  Thunderstorms predicted through Thursday so we may have another idle day depending on the VHF forecast.

We will check in with you again as soon as possible...leave the light on for us.  

Monday, Monday

Monday has never been my (Vi's) favorite day of the week and today was no different.  We left Casper's Marina in Swansboro about 6:45am and moved right on through Camp LeJeune.  Even made both bridges without too much delay (and with a little help from the bridge tender at the Surf City Swing Bridge). But from there it went downhill.  We had planned to anchor at Sloop Point which according to Capt. Bob's Cruising Guide is an okay place.  Forgetaboutit!!  Channel is very narrow and only 6 foot (or less) in some places.  Since it was only 12:45 we had plenty of time to check out both anchorages there, right?  Wrong, we ran aground at one and couldn't set the anchor at the other.  Then we ran aground again trying to get back into the ICW. Bless Phil's heart he figured out how to get us free from both groundings so we didn't have to call BoatUS. 

We finally made it to Harbor Village Marina about 3:45. It's a private marina that rents transient slips IF you call ahead.  They don't answer the radio and sometimes not the phone so it's a little dicey getting a reservation.  It's a really nice place but doesn't cater to the public; no place to get anything but ice and nobody to unlock that.  Needless to say we'll try to plan better coming back in the spring.

To finish this Monday just right, I lost all the pictures that I took today while uploading them.  Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Five Days Out

Wednesday was where I left you so now let's get caught up.

Thursday was a beautiful, uneventful day on the water.  We left Alligator River Marina around 6:30 am. Within 2 hours we were joined by a parade of boats.  There was no time during the day that we couldn't see boats in front of us and boats behind us.  Big boats, little boats, fast boats and slow boats but none slower than us.  We pulled in the anchorage at Dowry Creek about 3 pm.  There was a beautiful sunset and full moon that evening (attaching pictures of both).

Friday dawned clear, cold and windy.  Small craft warnings were out for most waterways in northeastern NC. Not wanting to cross the Pamlico under those conditions, we stayed put.

Saturday was another beautiful day with perfect wind to cross the Pamlico and the Neuse River.  We had planned to stay in Oriental but they were maxed out so we went on to Adams Creek anchorage.  Had 2 other sailboats and 2 power boats for company.  The weather was mild enough to grill on the back of the boat.

Both Dowry Creek and Adams Creek anchorage are good places to stop...scenic and well-protected with good holding at both.

Sunday found us up and moving again by 6:30.  Caught the tide just right in Morehead City and made really good time to Casper's Marina in Swansboro. After fueling up, pumping out, washing down the boat and filling the water tanks, we walked a couple of blocks to The Icehouse restaurant.  If you're ever in Swansboro, check it out. The service was good and the food was excellent.  Back to the boat, a shower and Sunday night football...that's going to be the hardest part for me (Vi), not getting my football fix every week-end. 

Tomorrow's destination is iffy because we could be delayed at Camp  Lejeune if trainng exercises are in progress. Will let you know where we wind up in the next post that could be 2-3 days.

                                     
                          Seahawk at Dowry Creek anchorage with Vi taking a picture of Phil in the dingy.

                                     
                                                  Phil and "Kermit" playing in the pond!!

                                                               Sunset at Dowry Creek

                                                            Full moon at Downy Creek

Day One of Our Adventure

Long day, short trip.  Had to get an early start at the house in order to leave Columbia before noon.  Weather was nice, water calm most of the trip. Pulled into Alligator River Marina about 4pm. This is the first and last safe overnight spot until we get to the other end of the Alligator River. Tomorrow we should be able to do about 50 miles before sunset.  Probably won't have wi-fi tomorrow night but will update you on Friday.

Three - four weeks and we're out of here!

Woo-hoo! Phil's doctor gave him the green light on Tuesday.  So everything is in high gear getting ready to leave asap in November.  Depending on the weather it could be any time after the 2nd. 

We haven't really hooked up with anybody as traveling partners yet. It would have to be another sail boat or at least a slow trawler for us to travel together...no other boats go that slow. 

Since there is no itinerary we can't say where we'll be on any given day.  If we find a spot we like we'll stay for a few days before moving on. Our goal is to be in Marathon, FL by Christmas.  And yes, we have our lights to decorate the boat.

As things may get a little hectic between now and sailing time we may not post again until we're under way but we will catch up at our first stop with wi-fi.

Life is good.