May 1 to May 8th our last week in NC

We spent 3 days in Morehead City just over the bridge from Beaufort NC.  When we were in Sneads Ferry we found they had a consignment store, while Jim was looking around he found a used davit system which was happened to be the same one were planning on purchasing for the dinghy.  Great find at a 1/3 the original price, so Jim installed it in Morehead City.

We then moved on to Oriental NC (River Dunes Plantation) WOW what a place.  Its another one of those planned communities,  the place is amazing, Pool with private cabanas 2 hot tubs, showers you have to experience to believe, the clubhouse is beautiful with a pub, theres a pool table and an incredible library.  Also an outdoor fireplace with a seating areas all around the porch, and a firepit away from the building with rocking chairs around it.  And a workout room, oh and we can't forget the courtesy car.  All this for $1.25/ft a must stop.

Next was Belhaven NC,  we stayed at Dowry Creek this time, we had heard so many good things about it being super cruiser friendly.  And it was, they have a chicken dinner they put on in the clubhouse not sure how often but we were lucky enough to hit it right.  They have a happy hour or 2 every night, BYOB and its nice if you bring an appetizer but not necessary .  Great time! They also have a pool, laundry, and courtesy car to get into town.

Then onto Alligator River Marina, good stop over,  not much happening here, there is a reaturant in the gas station along with a convience store with beer and wine.  the marina is small and very well taken care of but no car and not close to anything.  Theres a morning newpaper dropped off at your boat in the morning.

 Dowry Creek so pretty here.

 there clubhouse pool and bottle tree

 Dowry creek

 sunrise on Alligator River

secluded home on the Pungo River

All safe in Sneads Ferry NC

 The troops are in!  These boats can move, 40 kts and they only have a 9" draft

We had originally planned to anchor in the area of Camp Lejune but weather prevented it. 

 This weather is for the birds!

We have spent a couple days in Sneads Ferry waiting out the storms.  They came through today and luckily we found a safe spot south of Morehead/Beaufort NC.  There was rain, thunder, lightening and considerable wind.  No tornado's here they were just south west of us.  An unbelievable lightening show going on now.  Tomorrow we will head out to Morehead City for the weekend.

update... (4-29) We made it to Morehead City Yacht Basin, we got in about 1pm there are 5 looper boats here. We should begin to see more now as the mass exodus from Florida is well under way, and the AGLCA rendezvous is just 2 weeks away.

Southport to Wrightsville Beach NC

 St. James Plantation Marina just south of Southport NC very nice private gated community Tiki bar, restaurant, very well stocked store for the galley.  Very Friendly slip owners we had 2 people offer to take us into town for shopping.  One man gave us a 2 hour guided tour of the area he took us into Southport, Bald Hill Island and all around the Plantation.  A very nice day,  finished off with cocktail on the boat.

 Snows Cut.

 A nice day at the Beach.

 Wrightville Beach Marina,  Just a short bike ride to shopping and West Marine.  Nice restaurant's all around.  Lots of boat traffic but very little wakes.

We had to pass this dredging operation in transit to somewhere in the Beaufort NC area.  Nice to see the equipment being used in the area.  However they traveled many miles over areas that needed dredging.

Ospery Marina and Grill in Myrtle Beach SC FYI Fuel $3.61

Short trip today just 30 miles to Myrtle Beach.  Today was the first day we traveled in the rain, how nice to have canvas!  The people at this marina are super friendly and the price is really good as well.  We got a pumpout, had lunch in the grill, 50 amp electric and a slip for the night all for $77.  Oh and they give you a goody bag when you check in which consists of cheese (block) a sleeve of crackers, 2 packages of honey buns, 2 can cozy's, a great deal of area information and the phone number of a gentleman who owns an Italian resturant nearby, who will pick you up at the marina, drive you around town to shop.  How nice is that!  We won't use that service but very handy indeed.  Tomorrow we will move on to NC. 

The end of our week in Charleston and on to Georgetown SC

A sunrise in Charleston in the background is the Yorktown aircraft carrier.

This is one of the boats celebrating the blessing of the fleet that took place in Mount Pleasant across the way.

This is one of our dock mates at the Charleston Maritime Center,  sure is a wide one!

One of the many interesting boats at the Maritime Center.

A cruise ship coming into port.

Another cruise ship this is a very busy port.  And a great city with lots of history.

On April 19th we left Charleston this is what looks to be a boat cemetery.

Smoke on the water.  As we were traveling north we came upon this fire, many acres on the ICW no houses here.  This is the Goat Island area, just across the way is all the homes.

When we got into Georgetown we heard someone radio the USCG that the fire had jumped the ICW and was beginning on the side where the houses were.

We rode our bikes into downtown Georgetown another quaint little town.  It was about a 10-15 min ride down some pretty little streets.

Pretty quiet here.  We had a nice lunch at the Rice Paddy I would highly recommend it, its set in what was an old bank.  I had an open faced warm crab sandwich it was excellent, but the salad was even better they make all their own dressings and it was excellent as well.

This is the harbour walk we took a stroll down the boardwalk.  They say you can anchor in the very small and narrow waterway but it looked as though all the space was taken by locals as their own private space.  There is also a marina right next to the harbour walk but there is also a pulp mill not far away and man it stinks.  We could smell it at the Georgetown Landing, smells like boiled cabbage.

*Side note - Unfortunately the day we got to Charleston I was feeling under the weather and remained so most of the week,  the day we left Jim wasn't feeling to great either.  So since leaving Charleston we have only traveled 60 miles and Jim is beginning to feel a bit better and we hope to leave Georgetown today.

Charleston SC

Isle of Hope Georgia

This is a very quaint little town with beautiful homes lining the waterfront.

                                                           Some of my favorites.

                                           These homes have such nice details added to them.

This is a driveway, very welcoming.

This is the street along the waterfront.  Isle of Hope Marina in the background.

When we pulled into the marina there were 3 other Tollycrafts there for the night, and several loopers.