There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
I’m feeling terribly today. The sickness is making me not want to do anything. Neither of us have a voice but Philip doesn’t feel bad. I took at least 3 naps today. We did manage to make it out to the beach for an hour or two where the kids played and we soaked up the rays. It was a gorgeous day to be outside. Continue reading “Ocean Isle Beach, NC – Day 9”
We left around 645am for our 125 miles trek up the ICW to Ocean Isle. We were able to stay on a plane (25mph) for almost a solid 3 hours which helped us make really good time. We passed back through Myrtle Beach and the rock pile. This time it was at a lower tide and you could see more rocks. It was still an unnerving experience but we made it through just fine. Continue reading “ICW Northbound – MM 456 to 335 – Day 8”
Man were we wrong about day 7 being boring! We left Beaufort around 8:45am with Isle of Palms in mind. It was high tide and EVERYTHING looked different. The water was 6ft deeper in high tide than low tide the day before. There was a lot more boat traffic this early in the morning but also deeper waters to maneuver in. Continue reading “ICW Northbound – MM 536 to 458 – Day 7”
Today we headed to Beaufort SC. We are learning that the earlier we get up then the longer we enjoy the next destination. Beaufort will be our turn around point. We had hoped to go all the way to Savannah but most days it’s has taken us longer to get somewhere than anticipated. Sometimes this is because of heavy boat traffic ( Philip slows for sailboats so as not to rock them with the boat wake) and sometimes it’s because it’s choppy and Peyton is napping. Continue reading “ICW Southbound – MM 469 to 536 – Day 6”
We got up and got ready and headed straight to Toast, one of our favorite spots, for breakfast. I’m always overwhelmed at how good the food is in Charleston and how many choices there are. Continue reading “Charleston, SC – Day 5”
We left Georgetown early hoping to get to Charleston at a decent time. Most of the trip was less eventful than past days. We passed a lot of marshy low lying areas and a lot less boats. The day was pretty uneventful until I decided to drive. Somehow we all of a sudden went from 15ft of water to 3ft. I quickly let Philip take back over. Continue reading “ICW Southbound – MM 403 to 469 – Day 4”
We woke up and went to breakfast with my parents in Myrtle Beach. We then hopped back on the boat said our goodbyes and headed south towards Georgetown, SC. Today offered nice cruising, wide waterways and few no wake zones. Some of the houses along the waterway are so large its unimaginable. How fun to sit on your dock and watch cruisers and sailboats all day?? Continue reading “ICW Southbound – MM 353 to 403 – Day 3”
From Joyner Marina we headed down Snows Cut to Cape Fear River. The river was the worst water we have seen so far with bigger wakes and the navaids reversed. We really had to pay attention through this area. We then had a short stroll to Southport and had lunch at The Provision Company. This is a nice unassuming restaurant right on the water with all fresh local fish. Definitely our kind of place! Continue reading “ICW Southbound – MM 295 to 353 – Day 2”
We left from Beaufort, NC with the intent on making it to Wilmington, NC. It was ambitious for day one and we ended up stopping in Carolina Beach,NC at Joyner Marina.
Even though we have boated for years, reading charts and looking at chart plotters is alot different than lake boating! We learned a ton on this first day.
My favorite part of the day was passing Camp Lejuene where this tank went over the bridge as we went under it! We also saw several choppers and there are typically training exercises taking place on shore.
We settled in to Joyner marina around 6pm. They put us inside the transient dock since we are right at the entrance to snows cut. The more protected slips are all 50amp power and no help to us. We got to work on dinner and meeting the neighbors. The only other boat on the transient dock was an older guy and another couple headed to Charleston. The guy told us how he and his wife took their last boat, a Bayliner very similar to ours, from MD to Key West and back to Panama City with 3 dogs. 3 dogs equals one baby right? What a fun trip. He also told us with tears in his eyes how his wife had died two years ago. I hope we were able to bring back great memories they made. Tomorrow, we plan to go til Myrtle Beach!
| Date | Friday, April 29, 2016 |
| Depart | Beaufort Docks, Beaufort, NC [map] |
| Arrive | Joyner Marina, Carolina Beach, NC [map] |
| Weather Beaufort, NC |
Overcast High 75, Low 61 Winds NNW 9, Gusts to 16 Visibility: 9 Miles |
| Weather Carolina Beach, NC |
Clear High 81, Low 65 Winds ENE 7, Gusts to 20 Visibility: 9 Miles |
| Miles Traveled | 95.43 SM / 82.93 NM |
| Fuel Purchased | 56 Gallons |
| GPX Route | ICW SB – Beaufort, NC to Carolina Beach, NC |
So after losing a day to trailer brakes and a long exhausting drive/put in at Beaufort we settled in at Beaufort Town Docks. I could go on and on about this quaint little town but the important thing is I got my Key Lime Pie and Mahi from Spouter Inn. Amazing! We went to sleep anxious for our adventure southbound the next day.
| Date | Thursday, April 28, 2016 |
| Depart | The Boathouse at Front Street Village, Beaufort, NC [map] |
| Arrive | Beaufort Docks, Beaufort, NC [map] |
| Weather Beaufort, NC |
Overcast High 75, Low 68 Winds SW 11, Gusts to 26 Visibility: 10 Miles |
| Miles Traveled | 2.36 SM / 2.05 NM |
| Fuel Purchased | 42.5 Gallons |
| GPX Route | Boathouse at Front Street Village to Beaufort Docks |
