Charleston, SC to Beaufort, NC; April 21-27 Charleston to Georgetown ~ Saturday, April 21, 2007 We left Charleston at 8:45 am. Our trip was uneventful. We arrived at the Georgetown Landing at 4:15 pm. There were some other “Loopers” there and we got together for a glass of wine and a short visit. Phil and I went to dinner in the restaurant by the marina, which was excellent. It was prom night in Georgetown and many couples were there having dinner before prom. We were very tired that night and went to bed early. Georgetown to Barefoot Landing (Myrtle Beach, SC) ~ Sunday, April 22, 2007 We left Georgetown, South Carolina, at 8:15 am. Even though we were fighting the current, we had no problem getting away from the dock. The scenery on the ICW started changing. For quite some time, through Louisiana, some of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, we had seen lots of swampy areas and a lot of marshland. Finally, we were seeing different trees, even some areas that looked a little hilly. It was very pretty. The water was smooth, but there were many floating logs, some small, some quite long. We were very watchful. While I was at the helm, I saw something in the river ahead of us. It seemed to be moving rather rapidly across the ICW. Phil looked at it with the binoculars and said it was an alligator. It was the biggest one either one of us had ever seen. It had a huge head and was ten to twelve feet long. Just before we got to Barefoot Landing, we hit a “deadhead”, which is a log that has become water-logged, is not yet heavy enough to sink and floats just below the surface of the water. Fortunately, to the best of our knowledge, it did not damage the boat. We arrived at Barefoot Landing about 3:00 pm. Phil did not like the marina. It is a face-dock, which means a long straight dock with no slips. This one was right on the ICW with no protection from the wakes caused by the boat traffic in the channel. The Landing had no amenities – no showers, no anything except a large shopping center immediately adjacent to it, which we were not interested in at the time. We went to eat with several other “Loopers” and a couple from Queenstown, Maryland. Fortunately, the traffic on the ICW was very light that night and we did not get rocked badly. Barefoot Landing (Myrtle Beach, SC) to Southport, NC ~ Monday, April 25, 2007 We left Barefoot Landing at 8:20 am. We went to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club to get fuel. It was a nice marina and we wished that we had stayed there instead of Barefoot Landing. There were a lot of go-slow zones along the way. Because you are responsible for your own wake and any damage it might cause, if you have a brain and a sense of responsibility, you DO slow down for fishermen in boats beside the ICW, boats in the water tied to docks and floating docks attached to boat houses. There are some boaters who are not aware of the “rules of the road” or, perhaps, they just don’t care! We did report one guy to the Coast Guard who met us at full throttle (you are supposed to go very slowly through a bridge to prevent damage to the bridge and other boats) in the middle of a narrow bridge opening. We were already in it and he just came on through the bridge. He was in a boat, called “I’m Lovin’ It”. Several other people reported him that day also. His name was frequently on the radio. Along the ICW in this area, there are big beautiful trees and a lot of lovely homes. The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge is the last pontoon bridge left on the ICW. It only opens on the hour. Fortunately, we timed it right and arrived about five minutes before it opened. We arrived in Southport, North Carolina, about 2:15. Tom and Gerry Clare (Loopers) whom we met in Fernandina Beach were also there. Phil and I walked downtown to sightsee. There was not a lot to see. It is a small town, 3500 people, founded in 1732 or something. We wandered around, found a coffee shop and came back to the boat. We did see a condo that, in another location, we would not have looked at twice, for sale for $699,000. It was 1200 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths… We did not buy! Southport, North Carolina to New River, NC ~ April 24, 2007 We left Southport Marina at 10:00 on the rising tide. We went down the Cape Fear River, a huge river with a lot of current, usually six knots. It is hard to go against it, but the rising tide comes up the river and kind of neutralizes the current. We made good time, despite the current. There was a lot of wind. It was quite an experience – wind, current and tide! We got to one bridge which opened on the hour at three minutes past the hour. I am sure the bridge tender could see us, but he closed the bridge, anyway. So, we waited an hour for it to open in a heavy current, tide and wind. It was not fun. He did not open the bridge until seven minutes past the hour. By that time, there were four boats, two sailboats and another power boat, all waiting. We were glad to get through the bridge!!! We arrived at Swan Point Marina in New River, North Carolina, at 5:30. It was a long day. Swan Point Marina was a nice stop. The marina, itself, is old. It is family owned and operated. There is a courtesy car with the keys under the mat, which we used to go into town and look around. The people who run it were so nice. We were glad we stopped there. New River, NC to Beaufort, NC ~ April 25, 2007 We left Swan Point Marina at 10:10 am. The route on this day took us through the U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Le Jeune military reservation. This area is occasionally closed for artillery, small-weapons firing and beach-landing exercises. Prominent lighted signs at both ends of the range display flashing lights and red flags to warn boaters. They also post boats at each end to prevent ICW traffic from running into danger. Fortunately, the channel was open and, while we did hear some big explosive sounds, they were nowhere near the ICW. It was very interesting. We saw fighter planes, doing touch and go landings. They flew right over our boat. We also saw the strangest plane. It had two propellers which could rotate to the top of the aircraft, so it could fly like an airplane or hover like a helicopter. It flew over us several times also. We saw old armed personnel carriers and bunkers. There were many towers, scattered over the area. When they are doing the practice exercises I guess these are used to observe. We arrived in Beaufort, North Carolina, about 3:30 pm. at the Beaufort Docks. It was a little tricky, getting to the marina because of all the different channels. It was windy (what a surprise!) and they put us inside the face dock in a slip where the water was calm. This was one of our best stops. The dockhand really knew what he was doing, handling the lines. He got us tied up so quickly and easily, even in the strong wind! The whole town is laid out on the waterfront. Everything is so easy here. There is a Beaufort, South Carolina, also. It is pronounced Bufort, with a long U. Beaufort, North Carolina, is pronounced Bofort, with a long O. I really enjoyed both the towns, although they are very different. They have been two of my favorite stops so far. When we checked in at the marina office, we met Katie, their small terrier. Katie has a thing about floor vents. She guards them and attacks them it you stomp your foot on them. She also climbs trees and runs around, looking for squirrels. She was a hoot. They think she is psychotic! We went into town for dinner. The town and the marina are right together, so it was not a long walk. We went to the Blue Moon Bistro. It was wonderful. The food was excellent, as was the service. The music was great, also, light jazz. It was very romantic and relaxing. Beaufort, North Carolina ~ April 26-27, 2007 We went sightseeing. We went to the Historical Center where there are six historic houses and buildings. We toured the three houses with a docent, who gave the best tour we have had on the whole trip. The houses were furnished with period furniture and the gardens were hedges in the shape of a maze. We ate a late lunch at a little restaurant, Finz, and sat out on the back deck overlooking the water. Although we planned to leave on Friday morning, I felt lousy with a sinus infection. It was also very windy and the weather forecast was not good, so we decided not to go. Phil did the laundry and worked on the computer. I napped and brought the log up to date. |
Our Travel Log
Travel Log