On South Carolina ICW along the way, we see examples of what can happen to boats at low tides. There has been extreme changes in the tides at more unpredictable times here lately due to the full moon affecting the tidal currents differently. Charlie and I have been meaning to read more about this topic at some point to further our understanding. Somehow, this natural phenomenon adds to an increase in more sand drifting into channels that creates new and hidden shoals below the waters.Charlie is relying on all the information he can get his hands on to know where to watch out for. Salty Southeast Cruisers Net on the internet gives him constant updates. And he communicates with many boaters on the great loop email web site. One thing we know for sure, always stay in the marked channel.
Many boats are stored this way. Boat parking lots Linda calls them.SOUTHPORT, NORTH CAROLINA
Today is Monday, April 27. As we write this blog entry, Freedom’s Turn just left the Southport Marina in Southport, North Carolina, where we a lovely, one night stay. This morning, we reunited with our fellow loopers, Kay and Robert from the boat C-Life.
Robert even wore his MSU shirt we gave him during football season last fall. He and another friend Louis patiently put up with us watching our MSU football while we all ate some Saturday meals together so we bought them appreciation shirts when we were home in October. He supported MSU in the NCAA tournament towards the end until his son, a Tar Heels fan, got on him so he had to switch his allegiance.
Kay and Robert live in Southport next to where we stayed in the marina. They are lucky to be able to live on a bay directly off the Intracoastal and can keep their boat year round in a slip right across the street from their home!
The four of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast (above) in a favorite restaurant of theirs named P.J.s. The four of us celebrated C-Life’s completion of the Great Loop which happened on April 15 at 4:55 p.m. I was told. Congratulations are in order for the couple that traveled close to 6,500 miles in close to eleven months.
The four of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast (above) in a favorite restaurant of theirs named P.J.s. The four of us celebrated C-Life’s completion of the Great Loop which happened on April 15 at 4:55 p.m. I was told. Congratulations are in order for the couple that traveled close to 6,500 miles in close to eleven months.
The restaurant had college pennants all around and when we found the Michigan State one, we felt right at home.
Robert and Kay are part of a circle of dear friends we have made on the Great Loop. We left Southport after breakfast and did not say good-by but 'see you down the road (or water) somewhere.'The frineds you make while on the Great Loop are truly the best part.
Hurray! Kay spotted an alligator in the basin in front of their home so Charlie and Robert took pictures of it. We will stop tonight near Top Sail, North Carolina and either anchor out or grab a marina called Beach House. Tomorrow we look forward to giving Freedom’s Turn a rest in Morehead City while we visit with other dear looper friends of ours who have also completed the Great Loop trip recently; Diane and Louis Wade from the boat ‘Bella Luna.’
We will now go back to the past week to fill in some of our ports of call.
CHARLESTON April 21-22
We arrived in Charleston late in the day on Tuesday, April 21 coming from Beaufort. Lining the ICW at Charleston were many beautiful old homes.005
The following two paragraphs were taken out of the book “Honey Let’s buy a Boat” written by Ron and Eva Stob.
The following two paragraphs were taken out of the book “Honey Let’s buy a Boat” written by Ron and Eva Stob.
“The American Revolution had its seed in early uprisings against the British in Charleston when in 1765 the townspeople, tired of the Queen Mother’s taxation, sent England’s ships bearing the official papers of taxation back to England. This was one of the first instances of rebellion in any of the 13 original English colonies.
The first shots of the Civil War were sent from Charleston against the U.S. at Fort Sumter. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union (1860), a major player in the establishment of the Confederacy in 1861, and one of the last to succumb to Union Forces. If any people deserve to the label, Rebel, it’s the Charlestonians.”
The first shots of the Civil War were sent from Charleston against the U.S. at Fort Sumter. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union (1860), a major player in the establishment of the Confederacy in 1861, and one of the last to succumb to Union Forces. If any people deserve to the label, Rebel, it’s the Charlestonians.”
We arrived in Charleston late in the day on Tuesday, April 21 coming from Beaufort. Lining the ICW at Charleston were many beautiful old homes.
At the City Market, ladies were making and selling the famous Gullah baskets. Gullahs reflect a strong sense of family and community and African cultural traditions in language, food, art and music more here in the Southeast than any other part of the United States. These homes below are in the historical district and are known as the Rainbow Houses, an early example of modern day townhouses. The unique color for each house has been kept. These houses were known in there early days as the houses of ill repute. On our Charleston carriage ride, our guide told us that the reason these homes were originally painted different colors was for the men to know which house their ‘lady’ lived in.
The historic homes were taxed many times by the number of running feet facing the street so the homes were built deep within the parcel of land with the front door on the side.
The majestic Customs House
Before we arrived at the Maritime Marina in downtown Charleston, we spotted a magnificent Navy boat. I got the binoculars and saw many people on the ship’s deck standing in a line, looking out on the water. There were smaller boats cruising around the big ship that looked like they were a part of something happening there.
While we we were both in Georgetown the first time, we had said to ourselves, “Someday soon we will be living our dream when we come back here on our boat!” And what a satisfied feeling we had to have made it back by boat.
Georgetown dates back to 1721 when it was declared a royal providence by Prince George of England who later became King George the 2nd. It is a living museum town of wide avenues and sleepy streets with historical homes everywhere. There is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’
When we took the historical district walking tour on our first visit, we discovered the Thomas Café and had a truly wonderful southern cooked lunch. On this trip, we had to go back to get Linda’s very favorite Southern meal to date again, which they cook at the Thomas Café like no other. (I have conducted taste tests with other places and they all have not held a candle to this place). Here it is: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits with a touch of ham and red pepper in rich, creamy gravy. Charlie was disappointed his favorite Seafood Jambalaya was not available anymore so he tried what I ordered.
If you really like something you eat I guess you are taking a chance when you find out what is really in it. So I asked what was in the gravy (after I ate it.) You won’t want to eat this when we tell you! The gravy is mostly half and half cream with ham juice and butter) with the red pepper and other flavors added and it is soo good. We gave our compliments to the cook and hope to someday come back here to eat it again! Once every few years won’t hurt. The day was all about Linda because after lunch I got my hair cut and a new pair of shoes. I guess you could say that Georgetown is my kind of town.
The wonderful Thomas Cafe. It even has green and white checked table cloths.
This is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’There is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’
MYRTLE BEACH April 25
A two mile stretch off the ICW on the Prince River. We were on the lookout for alligators but no such luck
It was a beautiful diversion. A 'river less traveled' feeling. Quiet and peaceful as Linda sat on the bow while Charlie took off the auto pilot and enjoyed a gentle steering. Spring was everywhere.
An osprey nest. Artfully done.
A Saturday fishing time
Coming into the shores of Myrtle Beach, of course.
The historic homes were taxed many times by the number of running feet facing the street so the homes were built deep within the parcel of land with the front door on the side.
The majestic Customs House
Before we arrived at the Maritime Marina in downtown Charleston, we spotted a magnificent Navy boat. I got the binoculars and saw many people on the ship’s deck standing in a line, looking out on the water. There were smaller boats cruising around the big ship that looked like they were a part of something happening there.A few hours later, at our boat slip, we saw the big Navy boat go by us! We learned later that the boat’s name was the U.S.S. Truxton and that we were witnessing its first time out in the harbor; taking the public on a little ride!
Our next stop was Georgetown.
GEORGETOWN, April 23-24
GEORGETOWN, April 23-24
We were looking forward to visiting Georgetown again as we tied up on the floating dock at downtown Hazzard Marina.
In June of 2006, just before I retired from the Meridian Senior Center in Okemos, Charlie and I drove to our timeshare condo at Myrtle Beach for a week of R & R. We made a side trip to Georgetown. While we strolled down the street in the quaint downtown, (it looks like the town could have came from a Norman Rockwell painting)
In June of 2006, just before I retired from the Meridian Senior Center in Okemos, Charlie and I drove to our timeshare condo at Myrtle Beach for a week of R & R. We made a side trip to Georgetown. While we strolled down the street in the quaint downtown, (it looks like the town could have came from a Norman Rockwell painting)
I found a beautiful bracelet in an art shop that I loved the moment I saw it. We continued to look around. Charlie knew I loved that bracelet. Nothing was said and we left town.
Later that month on retirement day, he presented the bracelet to me, adding much joy to my special day.. It turned the day he said he wanted to go golfing later in the week, he went back to Georgetown (one hour one way) to get the bracelet!
While we we were both in Georgetown the first time, we had said to ourselves, “Someday soon we will be living our dream when we come back here on our boat!” And what a satisfied feeling we had to have made it back by boat.
Georgetown dates back to 1721 when it was declared a royal providence by Prince George of England who later became King George the 2nd. It is a living museum town of wide avenues and sleepy streets with historical homes everywhere. There is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’
When we took the historical district walking tour on our first visit, we discovered the Thomas Café and had a truly wonderful southern cooked lunch. On this trip, we had to go back to get Linda’s very favorite Southern meal to date again, which they cook at the Thomas Café like no other. (I have conducted taste tests with other places and they all have not held a candle to this place). Here it is: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits with a touch of ham and red pepper in rich, creamy gravy. Charlie was disappointed his favorite Seafood Jambalaya was not available anymore so he tried what I ordered.If you really like something you eat I guess you are taking a chance when you find out what is really in it. So I asked what was in the gravy (after I ate it.) You won’t want to eat this when we tell you! The gravy is mostly half and half cream with ham juice and butter) with the red pepper and other flavors added and it is soo good. We gave our compliments to the cook and hope to someday come back here to eat it again! Once every few years won’t hurt. The day was all about Linda because after lunch I got my hair cut and a new pair of shoes. I guess you could say that Georgetown is my kind of town.
The wonderful Thomas Cafe. It even has green and white checked table cloths.
This is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’There is a wonderful city dock that runs along the back of the downtown shops where one can see a pretty view of the boats and water. Our marina lies south of this view. This harbor walk gave us a ‘glad we came back again feeling.’MYRTLE BEACH April 25
From Georgetown, our next stop was to be North Myrtle Beach, our own family’s long time favorite summer vacation place driving all the way from Michigan. This time though, it was going to be a unique visit for us, coming the first time on our boat!
Unfortunately a large fire broke out in the area a few days earlier west and north of the marina we were to stay at. The Coast guard closed the ICW for several miles surrounding the area the day we were supposed to arrive so we stayed an extra day in Georgetown and left one day later, April 25 for Myrtle Beech. We stayed only one day at Myrtle Beach where we did not see any of the damage done but we learned that 19,600 acres burned and 2,500 residents evacuated. The waterway stopped the fire from spreading south of the ICW towards the ocean. We did smell a burnt smell in the air so we left the next day. We took in a great variety show at the Alabama Theatre called “One” before we left.
Unfortunately a large fire broke out in the area a few days earlier west and north of the marina we were to stay at. The Coast guard closed the ICW for several miles surrounding the area the day we were supposed to arrive so we stayed an extra day in Georgetown and left one day later, April 25 for Myrtle Beech. We stayed only one day at Myrtle Beach where we did not see any of the damage done but we learned that 19,600 acres burned and 2,500 residents evacuated. The waterway stopped the fire from spreading south of the ICW towards the ocean. We did smell a burnt smell in the air so we left the next day. We took in a great variety show at the Alabama Theatre called “One” before we left.
The next photos give a few of the sights we saw along the way along the waterway from Georgetown to Myrtle Beach known as the Waccamaw River. Enjoy!
A two mile stretch off the ICW on the Prince River. We were on the lookout for alligators but no such luck
It was a beautiful diversion. A 'river less traveled' feeling. Quiet and peaceful as Linda sat on the bow while Charlie took off the auto pilot and enjoyed a gentle steering. Spring was everywhere.
An osprey nest. Artfully done.
A Saturday fishing time
Coming into the shores of Myrtle Beach, of course.
