The Kasberg family treated us royally on Sunday in
Wrightsville Beach. Matthew and Keith came out for a dinghy ride and boat visit
and invited us to their home to visit with Liz and Grace. Their hospitality
left us with clean laundry, full bellies and new friends for Noah.
Wrightsville Beach. Matthew and Keith came out for a dinghy ride and boat visit
and invited us to their home to visit with Liz and Grace. Their hospitality
left us with clean laundry, full bellies and new friends for Noah.
This morning we pulled anchor and headed out,
wondering if it would be too rough to cross the Cape Fear River. Bundled up
with fleece face masks, sweatshirts and overcoats we passed two swimmers in the
ICW that really made us feel like wimps! The next surprise was a trio of
dolphins swimming along with us for 15 minutes, so close that we could have
touched them. Noah broke away from his book for that and even shot some video.
The wind was with us and timing of the favorable current actually made the two
hours on the river enjoyable. We passed a container ship, a car ferry and a
couple of tugs with loads. Exiting the river at Southport before noon, we
decided to continue on and make it to Myrtle Beach where we could have heat for
what is predicted to be the coldest night so far this year. The ICW passes
several inlets on this stretch where currents can be fairly strong. We hit 9.2
knots near Lockwoods Folly and had to throttle back as we met a slew of small
boats where people were fishing in and very near the channel. A pontoon bridge
was the only other impediment to navigation. It opens on the hour and was
interesting to see in operation. The center of the bridge just floats over to
one side to make an opening for passage.
wondering if it would be too rough to cross the Cape Fear River. Bundled up
with fleece face masks, sweatshirts and overcoats we passed two swimmers in the
ICW that really made us feel like wimps! The next surprise was a trio of
dolphins swimming along with us for 15 minutes, so close that we could have
touched them. Noah broke away from his book for that and even shot some video.
The wind was with us and timing of the favorable current actually made the two
hours on the river enjoyable. We passed a container ship, a car ferry and a
couple of tugs with loads. Exiting the river at Southport before noon, we
decided to continue on and make it to Myrtle Beach where we could have heat for
what is predicted to be the coldest night so far this year. The ICW passes
several inlets on this stretch where currents can be fairly strong. We hit 9.2
knots near Lockwoods Folly and had to throttle back as we met a slew of small
boats where people were fishing in and very near the channel. A pontoon bridge
was the only other impediment to navigation. It opens on the hour and was
interesting to see in operation. The center of the bridge just floats over to
one side to make an opening for passage.
Tonight we are in North Myrtle Beach at the Coquina
Yacht Harbor. The dockmaster is a liveaboard and she was very friendly and
helpful. We followed our noses to Umberto’s restaurant where we were
served an excellent five course meal. We brought enough leftovers to get us to
Charleston. Noah was excellent in the restaurant, tried all the courses and
enjoyed the live piano music. The harbor is an old quarry that has been
attached to the ICW, so should be very protected from the 25-30 knot predicted
winds.
Yacht Harbor. The dockmaster is a liveaboard and she was very friendly and
helpful. We followed our noses to Umberto’s restaurant where we were
served an excellent five course meal. We brought enough leftovers to get us to
Charleston. Noah was excellent in the restaurant, tried all the courses and
enjoyed the live piano music. The harbor is an old quarry that has been
attached to the ICW, so should be very protected from the 25-30 knot predicted
winds.
