NE through SC

Hello from Southport NC. Since the last blog entry we had a 3 day stay in Charleston SC, then 3 days of travel through SC until yesterday we crossed into NC.

 

It's spring, so the weather has been varied, including rainy, windy, and cold conditions. We've been piloting Spray from her enclosed salon rather than from the flying bridge. While the salon is noisier, it sure is warmer. As you can see above, each crew member helps in piloting.

 

Our visit to Charleston from last Sunday to Wednesday was very enjoyable. We were again at Charleston Maritime Center and again it was a bit bouncy in the marina, mostly from boat wakes. Katie and Riggs were regulars playing ball/frisbee on the lawn area, and we made good use of the showers and free laundry.

 

On Monday we deployed our bicycles and rode downtown for lunch at 'Fast & French'. That evening we walked to a great seafood restaurant where we met up with my Uncle Larry and his wife Bobbe. They live in Stone Mountain GA and had driven down to Charleston for a few days to visit with us and do the city, and we had a great time with them.

 

Tuesday had nasty weather. Larry and Bobbe came to the marina and met the pooches and we stayed in Spray's cozy salon while it rained outside. Sheila cooked a nice lunch and we had fun catching up on family activities. The rainy afternoon was perfect for a museum visit so Larry drove us to the Charleston Museum, where we spent a few hours learning local history, of which there is a lot! It was all very well presented but by the time I got up to the Civil War era I was saturated with information. Here's a photo Sheila took of Larry, Bobbe, and some boat bum in front of the museum.

They had to chase us out of the museum at 5 pm and Larry then dropped Sheila and I off at the fancy Harris Teeter grocery store so we could add to Spray's pantry.

Wednesday was our departure day with strong NE winds but we didn't have to say goodbye to Larry and Bobbe just yet as Larry came aboard for our 5 hour cruise up the ICW to McClellanville SC. It was a bit bouncy in Charleston Harbor but not bad once we got behind Sullivan Island in the protected ICW, although as mentioned we stayed below in the salon. Larry got to savor the pleasures of slow cruising and enjoyed the sights of marshland, dolphins, etc. Bobbe relaxed in Charleston and then drove to McClellanville to meet us at 3 pm. We walked the beautiful town for an hour or so and then bid farewell as they returned to enjoy more of Charlestown.

 

We spent Wednesday night docked at Leland Oil co., just as we did back in November. A nice guy on a neighboring boat had purchased a bushel of local oysters and offered us all we wanted plus training on cleaning the muck off them and grilling them (on his grill) until they popped open and the very fresh meat could be easily removed. Amazing to me how something that lives in nasty, gritty muck can be so clean and grit free inside. After much effort I presented Sheila with a small bowl of oyster meats which she scarfed down and declared excellent.

 

Thursday morning we shoved off into the incessant NE winds (but sunny at least) for a 25 mile run up to Georgetown SC, another of our favorite ICW towns. The Nina and Pinta replicas where there awaiting us (we toured them in Beaufort SC) as we tied up for a quick pumpout of our holding tank, then dropped anchor right off the Pinta.

As you can see, in Georgetown's protected harbor, it was a nice afternoon. We walked the town some, and had a snack and drinks in front of this restaurant, and did some work aboard Spray, including changing her oil and oil filter.

 

On Friday we continued for a longish 45 mile run through a very scenic section of the ICW, where it goes inland through forested land that was in spring splendor. The rivers were high with Spring runoff so it was mostly an uphill ride into the current. As you see below, it was gray and raw outside but we were comfy in the salon.

When we reached Myrtle Beach we came across a unique golf course, with its parking on the east side of the ICW (where the road is) but the golf course on the west side. How do the golfers get back and forth? Cable car, of course!

Friday's destination was Barefoot Marina in North Myrtle Beach. We just had time for some dog play before it started raining. We had supper at the restaurant there and then retired to Spray as the rain poured down. I had lowered the dinghy to the water and in the morning it had several inches of rain in it.

 

Yesterday we had another longish run of 40 miles, again into NE winds but thankfully in protected waters. Eventually we crossed into NC, and at times we could peer out of an inlet to the big bad ocean and the mountainous waves made us appreciate the barrier islands we travel behind. Larger boats throughout the southeast, who need to travel on the 'outside', have been stuck for quite a while awaiting calmer weather.

 

At one point I saw a couple dolphin dorsal fins ahead, but as we got closer I could see I was wrong:

Deer can swim quite well.

For the last hour of travel the wind was screaming so we were relieved when we pulled into Southport Marina and tied to the inside of their long face-dock. After dog walks we attended a daily presentation here on upcoming weather and possible ICW hazards, which is a unique service and well appreciated. Then off to a nice dinner at Fishy Fishy.

 

Oh yeah, last night we watched this movie on Netflix. The movie is so-so but sure makes Southport look good.

 

We have a gale warning today and the wind has been pressing us onto the dock such that our fenders look like pancakes. So instead of the planned 1 night stop we are staying at least a 2nd night. We have an electric heater going and are cozy aboard Spray. A good time to crank out a blog entry.

 

 

Next stop will be Wrightsville Beach NC.

 

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