R Island: May 19-22, 2014 Myrtle Beach SC to Morehead City NC

Day 1: We left Myrtle Beach at 8:00 with a parade of boats. We went the entire day with a boat in sight at all times. We had the sun and wind in our faces all morning as we were headed east all day. Thank God for our polarized sun glasses. We discovered "Active Captain" website which is an interactive site that combines our cruising guide with all it's notes on routes, marinas, shoaling and all such navigation aids with the same Garmin charts on our GPS system. The recent notes by cruisers told us that the many inlets we were traveling this day had been dredged in the spring and markers were adjusted accordingly was invaluable timely information that greatly removed the worry from the day's trip. We now use it every day and it really simplifies planning. We arrived at South Harbor Village Marina in Southport NC shortly after lunch, had a lazy afternoon, and then had a great Italian dinner before hitting the sack.

These docks were empty the day before when we were at the Crab Fest.

Judie likes this one.

Great center window!

The ultimate house

Damn Hurricanes!

Day 2: Nice slow 2 mile run down the waterway to the Cape Fear River before turning north past Wilmington to Seapath Marina in Wrightsville Beach. Tried to time the tide so we could have it's help - but we missed it, along with everyone else, and did 12 miles against a nice tide in the opposite direction. Passed the Marine supply depot for the Atlantic Operations and saw lots of security patrol boats and many signs to "keep you ass away" (my interpretation). Even a "no photo's" sign. "Snow's Cut" from the Cape Fear to the barrier island channels was about 15 minutes of our roughest water yet. Strong current that changed direction mid-way, lots of eddies, and fishermen. When we passed thru, the water turned a beautiful blue-green and remains that way. Nice marina, but Ger came in a little too fast and is thankful for the built-in rub rail that trawlers have. Another learning experience!. No damage.

ICW meets the ocean

The reason for the beautiful water!

Day 3: Good get-away from the dock - SLOWLY. We had several bridges this day, made the first 10 minutes early, did not have to wait for the second bridge since tide was out and we could sneak under it, and had to wait 40 minutes for the third. Just so you know, many low bridges near towns only open on the hour or half hour during the day or at rush hour. Every bridge is different and needs to be part of your planning for the day. Played "Hare and Tortoise" with a new 50 foot sailboat - he would travel faster than us between bridges, but we would catch up when he got there too early or had to wait for an opening. They were on their way to Maine. First half of the day was lots of homes along the shore, and the afternoon was deserted - trees and sea grass. We stopped at Swan Point Marina in Sneads Ferry NC for the night. It is small - 20 boats, rustic, but with great folks! We had a great dinner a t "Riverview Café", but needed a ride to and from. We called the restaurant and the owner, who was at home, came and picked us up and then brought us back after dinner. Restaurant has been in the family for 3 generations. Some of you may think that we are "eating our way up the ICW" and that was one of our goals, to taste the local food and meet local folks, while not having to cook the evening meal when in port. We did take a nice walk after dinner around the marina yard and the neighborhood.

Smiley Face!

10 foot high Siren trying to capture us....

Jimmy Buffets' home??

We are on the ICW, they are on the Ocean!

Day 4: Ready to go for an 8:00 departure after "Queen Anne's Revenge" left from behind us. We had heard this yacht on the radio several times since Georgia and finally met up with them. The boat name is that of Blackbeard's famous boat - which we learned later in Beaufort NC at the Maritime Museum. Hank. and his wife, Anne, are contributing editors to the Waterway Cruising Guide that we use and are spending the season visiting small marinas along the ICW in Georgia and the Carolinas to review for the guidebook. We made an 8:30 bridge opening 5 miles along, but only because the operator held it for about 7-8 minutes as we ran wide open to get there. The following tide helped also. Passed "Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Military Installation". Saw no marines but heard lots of artillery fire. They often close to ICW when they are using live fire ranges over the ICW or have landing craft maneuvers. Closing can last 2-4 hours. Lucky for us we missed this. Just past Swansboro, we traveled next to the practice field for Harriers doing vertical take-off and landing. Pretty cool to watch! Arrived, slowly, at Morehead City Yacht Basin by mid afternoon; after passing the City port where Judie took the picture of the "Captain Phillips" life boat on the back of freighter being unloaded.