2011-10-27 - to Myrtle Beach, SC (mile 354)

Floating dock showing the low tide



Lovin' the carousel

We left the anchorage in goodime this morning -8:00am.  We were trying to head to Myrtle Beach today as Connor has been talking non-stop about Magiquest - a Wizard and Wand amusement at Broadway on the Beach in Myrtle Beach.  When we (mistakenly) told him that it could be the next day, he couldn't contain himself.  A few days ago we thought that it may be a week away, but the currents had been in our favour and we were making great time.  It was a 10-hour day ahead of us and, because we did a 10-hour day the day before, we didn't know that it would be possible - especially with the shifting of currents.  We plodded on for the full 10 hours.  I took the wheel for a bit while Kerry had a very quick shut-eye.  The tides were very low later in the day.  Many of the boats at the private docks were low in the water or on the sand.  On the radio we could hear marinas turning people away because of the exceptionally low water.  We had to not only watch our position on the GPS, but also use the visual cues in the water to watch for shifting sand bars.  Just before Myrtle Beach, is a place called Rockpile.  It is called this because of all the exposed rock in this area.  With the low tide, we could clearly see why it was named this way.  Again, we kept in the centre and plodded on.   We finally pulled into Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach at 6:00pm.  We did a quick clean up and jumped to shore.  Barefoot Landing.  This is a several acre park with shops and amusements.  Connor tried the mirror house and laser challenge and Dylan insisted that we didn't leave until he got a ride on the carousel (twice).  We hobbled back to the boat at 10pm....tucked everyone in and called it a night.  Tomorrow, will be another busy day!

2011-10-26 - Carolina Beach, NC (mile 295)

School is interrupted to watch dolphins playing in the morning.

Dolphins!

2011-10-25 - to Swansboro, NC (mile 229)

Happy Birthday, Mom!!  We left the anchorage today at 10:15am.  We ended up pulling into Moorehead City for gas, water, etc. for about 45 minutes mid day.  I ran out to the corner store to grab some quick supplies while Kerry filled and emptied tanks.   We even both squeezed in a shower while we were there - how perfect was that!  The neat part of our day was that we saw DOLPHINS for the first time.   We all sat out on the back and watched as 5 - 10 swam near the boat.  Kerry even saw one make a big jump out of the water.  It was very cool!  We baked a cake and it was complete by the time we pulled into the anchorage.  This was a very small, out of the way, anchorage that Kerry had found.  As we pulled in he noticed another large jelly fish and Connor scrambled again to see it as he has seen several different kinds so far this trip.  As the sun set we watched pelicans fly and swoop clumsily into the water after their dinner.  It was another great day!

2011-10-24 - to Oriental, NC (mile 181.5)

2011-10-23 - to Pungo River, NC (mile 127.5)

2011-10-22 - to Broad Creek, VA (mile 61)

2011-10-21 - to Great Bridge, VA (mile 11.9)

We left Deltaville this morning at 7:15 heading to Norfolk, VA and "Mile 0" of the intercoastal waterway.  We flew the entire way as the wind was on our beam.   We averaged 9 knots on the outside.  We ended up passing right by Norfolk and ended up settling in at a town dock in Great Bridge at mile 11.9 of the ICW.  There were several boats waiting out the night here as well.  Some even rafted onto others so that they could spend the night.  The town was quite close so we unloaded and headed out for a walk.  It was probably one of our most longest days....as we logged over 70 miles!