Sunday, 6/24/18. Larry wanted to go to Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, near Beaufort. We took a tour of the fort. Then we went on the 3+ mile trail around the area. Started out as a hike in the woods, then on the dunes…Really hot. Larry was not a happy camper but completed it. It was a bit much in the heat. It was also very windy from the SW. The dunes section did have some shade. We were able to stop at a beach concession stand for a cold Pepsi. We got to see the Beaufort Inlet ( which has a nasty reputation). Stopped  at the 4 Corners Diner for lunch.

 

 

Once back at the boat, a black cloud rolled towards us….here we go again. Really scary looking…..this is not black and white film…..

 

 

Monday,6/25/19: breakfast at the Breakfast Cafe-really good. Had been by this place but never got to stop.  New favorite. Went antiquing….also went for a drive down the ICW, places we have seen, stayed at previously.

Tuesday, 6/26/18: Took it easy, provisioning and shopping and laundry…. Got barbecue at Roland’s -well, I got pulled pork, Larry got oysters…..

Wednesday, 6/27/18: more provisioning then dropped off the car. Got a ride back from Enterprise, along with a tug captain going back to his tug. Departed marina at 3:15-rain held us off. Low tide and a full moon tomorrow. No problem, did have heavy rain for a while….anchor down at Cedar Creek, (MM 186), at 6PM. Full moon, the strawberry moon, and a kickass sunset.

Thursday, 6/27/18: Anchor up by 8:55. Ok, a beautiful day…west winds, crossed the Neuse River, a bit rocking and rolling. Lots of dolphins in Goose Creek… crossed Pamlico River onto the Pungo River and pulled into Slade Creek. Anchor down 3:35. I got to paint…no internet. I paint mostly on the back porch. Dolphins swimming around us. Still able to receive Weather Channel alert-rain coming-I packed up my painting. We got a storm, pouring rain, thunder, lightning, but the sun was out.

Friday, 6/28/18: anchor up at 8:15, nice morning ( sure, for how long) …hot-thank goodness for the breeze on the nose that came into the pilothouse’s open windshield. Crossed the Pungo River/Alligator Cut. We saw a bear along here in on a prior trip. Could smell the evergreens and hear the quite loud cicadas. A tug and barge passed us coming from the opposite direction-always fun. Crossed the Alligator River and went under the bridge we had the storm on last week, when we drove to Outerbanks…. anchor down in the Little Alligator River (MM82), at 5:30. A bald eagle stood watch on the tallest, deadest tree. Showered with the window and shades open watching the sunset-out in the middle of nowhere. Lots of creature noises at dusk….

Saturday, 6/30/18: Anchor up at 7:05. Crossed Ablemarle Sound-flat and peaceful. This one can really act up with wind. Arrived at Coinjock Marina (MM 49.6) at noon.

Sunday, 6/17/18: Departed Bucksport (MM378) at about 10:30. Went to Osprey Marina for fuel. Always the best price on diesel. Tons of turtles swimming around the fuel dock….They must like the fumes…..Back on the Waccamaw, tons of ospreys-and babies-it’s that time of year. Went by Barefoot Landing, almost always a stop since year 2000, our first trip down the ICW. Marina closed-remodeling. Then went by the Rock Pile, a stetch of the ICW that has rock formations on both sides…..has a negative reputation. I think it’s cool. This time, tide was too high to really enjoy the formations. Best time to travel this area, dead low tide-all the formations exposed. Went to the North Myrtle Beach Yacht Club for the night. (MM346). There must have been at least 270 people-years securing  us to the dock-us and two fellows…..Dinner at the Officers’ Club, upstairs from office. Pretty good food.

Monday, 6/18/18: cast off before 8. Nice morning but hot. Anchor down in Wrightville Beach (MM286). 60 mile day. Crossed Cape Fear. Hate this one. Larry thinks it’s the name-it’s not-have had some tough times there. We will call it Cape Rosey from now on- won’t matter. Found a cut under Lizzie’s left arm. Harness dug in. Really deep-I freaked. Ran up to pilothouse and took the wheel while Larry came down to remove harness and take a look. Called vet in Beaufort, NC. Said to wash and put antibiotic on it. Made an appt for Thursday, 10 AM. I was ready to rent car and drive….

Tuesday, 6/19/18: LIZZIE ok. Acting normal and allows us to handle her, and the cut. Nice morning. Anchor up by 7:30. Very breezy from the west. Really low tides-seeing 1 ft (really4-we need 3.5) several times. Folks seem to have trouble in this area. Larry really does a great job. Birds were standing almost by the boat as we went by….hot 96, heat index 110….anchor down in Mile Hammock Bay (MM254). This is part of Camp Lejeune-no going ashore. Very hot, stayed in the pilothouse just so we could catch a breeze. Larry brought up ice water…..at night, seems we were under attack by helicopters. There was some sort of exercise going on. Felt as if they were going to land on our pilothouse. There were about 6 boats in the anchorage with us. Going on well after midnight.

Wednesday, 6/20/18: Sat out on the porch. Dolphins all around. I could hear the surf from the ocean.  A treat on this trip…Anchor up 6:50. LIZZIE still ok. The hole is deep. Easy ride to Town Creek Marina, Beaufort (MM 200.9). Heat advisory.

Thursday, 6/21/18: Borrowed the courtesy car to bring Lizzie to vet. Live Oaks Vet Clinic. That is her southern vet anyways-awesome vet and place. Yep, deep, can see muscle…..must treat twice a day with spray and oral antibiotics. I read after 12 hrs, the wound can not be stitched…she confirmed….she said after 24 hrs……should stick around for a few days to make sure it starts to heal well. Sooooo…..we got a rental car and decided to spend about a week. Picked up rental car and did some errands.

Friday, 6/22/18: Drove to the Outer Banks. Over 3 hrs one way. Went to the Wright Brothers Museum. Building being remodeled but the grounds were open-and that was great!

 

Then we went for barbecue and drove down the to Brodie Lighthouse and Oregon Inlet. Went further, viewing the sand dunes. The inlet is tough-mostly large sports fishing boats. I can see why….

 

As we drove back, a nasty storm hit while we were on the Alligator River bridge. And we were stopped because the bridge was opening.

We go under this bridge all our trips…..

Saturday, 6/23/18: My 61st birthday. LIZZIE is improving at a good clip. The spray is amazing-will use it on us if necessary. She doesn’t like the antibiotics-she runs hides, head fakes Larry. He is such a good Dad. Went into downtown Beaufort, shopped, antiqued, and had early dinner at Ribeyes.

What a week….

Sunday, 6/10/18: Another day in Beaufort. Walked over the Ladies Island Bridge to tour downtown Beaufort and lunch at Plums, a must for me. The Biarritz sandwich and salad with hot bacon dressing- I always have the same, Larry changes it out. This time scallops.

Monday, 6/11/18: Whoops, had to borrow the courtesy car so that I could go to the hospital. UTI, really bad this time-couldn’t picture next stop,with a hospital and a car. That ate up a chunk of the day. They didn’t have pumps in the ER, so an antibiotic had to be pushed in my hand so I could get out of there…not pleasant but the folks there were all extremely nice. Went to Publix  afterwards to food shop….had bloody bandages on one hand and on the other arm, plus the hospital bracelet- not a good look. Turns out Publix doesn’t charge for certain antibiotics-nice service they provide to community. We also did laundry…fun day.

Tuesday,6/12/18: Time to leave Beaufort. Cast off by 8:15. By 2:00, storm over us….major squall! Thunder, lightning, driving rain, wind….we couldn’t see. Larry driving by IPad-at one point boat had turned around and heading in opposite direction. Still happening at 2:43. Finally dropped the hook at MM 489….of course, then it stops…. then bugs all over the screens….could this trip get any better….

Wednesday, 6/13/18: Anchor up at 7:00. Overcast. Went by Charleston. Then I went below to work and cook. Very low tides….readings of 1 and 2 feet (plus add 3 for our depth sounder setting…so 4 and 5….we need 3.5 to float. Tide was so low, we saw a little deer that had walked down the mud to the water, got stuck and died there….( I wonder if an alligator helped- Larry thinks not). Really low and high tides due to new moon…Anchored in Awendaw Creek (MM 435). There was a Whaleback anchored, a 48 foot big sister to the Manatee….my dream boat if I win the lottery….however, I do  not play the lottery. Panda Bear is just perfect for our needs….Next, a storm of course, passed to the west-just got thunder and lightning. Made Crack Chicken in my new pot. Sinfully good ( had to be the bacon). This Creek is breezy – because it is an inlet, darn windy….especially at high tide when the marsh was just about under water-little creepy at night.

Thursday, 6/14/18: Anchor up at 6:55. Red sky in morning….., sailor take warning….Not really ok red and no longer sailing….however, the way this trip is going…..Arrived in Georgetown, Harborwalk Marina (MM403) by noon. Lunch at Thomas’s Cafe. Walked around town and some antiquing….storms by5:30ish….not too bad by this year’s standard.

Friday, 6/15/18: Breakfast at Thomas’s Cafe. Then walked to Piggly Wiggley- found an animal part in the produce section I did not recognize.  Later, went shopping while Larry returned to boat, and was speaking to a local whose store I frequent every trip and she thought they may have been chicken necks….used for soup, along with the produce. Guess the Piggley not a favorite if you can drive further down the street to Food Lion. I bought some cuttings for scented geraniums and planted them in my garden on the upper deck. Hope they take. Went to the movies. Saw ‘The Post’.Very good. Similarities to this day and age?Then went for ice cream.

Saturday, 6/16/18: cast off at 7:20. Clear then got very foggy….

Now in a favorite (yes, we have many favorites), the Waccamaw River.

Arrived at Bucksport Marina by 11:45 (MM378). Lunch at marina waterside cafe, Capt Buck’s Port. Nice swampy area. Later went back for drinks and to listen to the Piedmont  Boys.

Nice way to end another week of cruising…..

Sunday, 6/03/18: Spent the day at anchor off Cumberland Island. Too hot to go for a hike. For example, 89 feel like 101. Day of rest….reading….I painted……

Monday, 6/04/18: Blew up a bit last night so the anchor was well dug in. Larry had to work hard. Still insists on pulling it up by hand, not using the windlass. Nice morning before the heat…Anchor up 7:50. Low tide so we had to go the long way to get to ICW. Leaving from MM 711. The green heads attacked…low tide and marsh.Coast Guard inflatable came by. I was driving, so I waved….Next thing, they turn around and come by and they were all waving. God, they look so young-I am  sure it was a training session-too many on board. Today we ended up at Brunswick Landing Marina (MM680ish). We have to go about 5 miles off the ICW. Free beer-Larry went to clubhouse before we went to lunch. He was thirsty…Then we walked to lunch in town-took the long way, in 100 degree weather. Saw some lovely old live oaks and a few old houses that were interesting. Lunch at Fox’s-limited places open. Then went back to happy hour at the clubhouse, free wine this time-out of beer. Afterwards, sent Larry to do laundry- the place was air conditioned…

Tuesday, 6/05/18: Up early to get in our marina morning routine: anything that has to do with shore power (electricity) vacuum, make rice for dinner,blow dry my hair…..Left by 8:45. Long day, lots of green head flies….anchor down at 6:45, 10 hrs, at No Name Creek or Birthday Creek-have seen both listed (MM 611.4).

Wednesday, 6/06/18: Easy morning enjoying coffee on the back porch, marsh,sky and birds….anchor up at 9:20. Easy ride to Delegal Creek Marina (MM 601). This included going thru Hell Gate, which gets very shallow and is feared by many. Once in the marina, borrowed a golf cart for the lovely ride to Publix and to the Tavern for lunch. Awesome praline bread pudding. Cute to see a parking area designated for golf carts at Publix. Larry cleaned upper decks of the boat in the heat….

Thursday, 6/07/18: got up early to cook dinner on my new Instant Pot. Finally, got to see the wild hogs on the island across from the marina. Later, Larry saw skates jumping and I saw jellyfishes….we saw something big swimming, but couldn’t identify it. Today we were waked badly by several boats. Either ignorance or lack of caring for fellow boaters. I hope it’s ignorance. Anchor down in Burkemeyers Beach, SC (MM539).

Friday, 6/08/18: Anchor up 10:25. Only had to go two miles to Lady’s Island Marina in Beaufort (MM 537). Tied up by 11:10. Thunder, little rain, then went for a walk. Ate Mexican and were stuffed! Really good sangria.

Saturday, 6/09/18: walked to antique mall. Afterwards, went to Bread Co. for breakfast while Larry went to hardware store. Walked back, right in time for the rain, thunder, wind to start. Later borrowed the courtesy car for local touring and brought back barbecue for dinner. Not too good. Ended the day by sitting on Panda Bear, listening to live music at the Fillin Station.

 

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