From North to South Carolina

On Friday, October 16th, we left Southport and headed back into the ICW. In 2013, we traveled outside for this next stretch, exiting through Cape Fear Inlet and back in again at Little River, then out again and back in again in Wynyah Inlet. This time, in the interests of doing it differently, we are traveling inside, in the ICW.

It was a little chilly, but the sun has felt wonderful after all those days (weeks) of clouds and rain.) — It was a little chilly, but the sun has felt wonderful after all those days (weeks?) of clouds and rain.

It was a 5-hour day, traveling 33 nautical miles.

There was plenty to look at through this stretch of the ICW.

Just past Southport Harbor where we were anchored is a very nice marina, Southport Marina. as we passed by, we noticed another Mariner Orient, a 40 footer. Looks pretty similar to us!

This was such a stately southern mansion. We both appreciated her fine lines. — This was such a stately southern mansion, sitting along the ICW, surrounded by trees and marshes.

Most of this section of the ICW was lined with large waterfront homes, each with their own docks and gazebos.

We waved to this guy as he painted his gazebo. He did wave back without falling off his ladder. Question - How does he move the ladder? — We waved to this guy as he painted his gazebo. He did wave back without falling off his ladder. Question – How does he move the ladder?

Looks like this shrimper has seen better days.

This stretch reminded us of the Florida ICW with canals dug out like street for homes and their boats. — This stretch reminded us of Florida’s ICW with canals dug out like streets for homes and their boats.

I was watching the chart books carefully and looking for a sign, or something, that would let us know when we crossed from North Carolina to South Carolina.

The border between North and South Carolina — This is the border between North and South Carolina, I think. It was as close as I could tell from the chart books. Why didn’t anyone post a “Welcome” sign???

Along a quiet grassy stretch, we could just see the head of this ibis peeking up.

Marshes on the west side — Marshes and creeks on the west side

Inlets on the eastern side — Inlets to the ocean on the eastern side

Not exactly part of the ICW's natural wild life, but definitely noticeable. — Not exactly part of the ICW’s natural wild life, but definitely noticeable.

We had made reservations at Myrtle Beach Yacht Club in Coquina Harbor for the next 3 days.

We knew form listening to the VHF that you turn just in front of the black and white lighthouse, a faux lighthouse. — We knew from listening to the VHF that you turn just in front of the black and white lighthouse, a faux lighthouse.

Coquina Harbor is a large man-made basin in North Myrtle Beach, near Little River. three marinas fit inside- Lightkeepers Marina, Coquina Yacht Club (a condo community), and Myrtle Beach Yacht Club at the far end of the basin.

We turned into the channel and wove our way to the back To Myrtle Beach Yacht Club. — We turned into the channel and wove our way among the docks to the back of the basin to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club.

Myrtle Beach Yacht Club had a good reputation, very reasonably priced and very friendly. The staff and the other boaters were cheerful and helpful. We were given a dock right near the office, the marine store, the laundry, the restaurant, and the pool. Very convenient. There is boardwalk around the edge of the entire basin, but each dock has a locked gate so you felt very safe.

We were given a dock right near the office, the marine store, the laundry, the restaurant, and the pool. — Kindred Spirit nestled into her slip for the next 3 days.

The pool was "closed" for the season, but when I asked if I could use it that afternoon while I did my laundry, they said go right ahead, but the water is cold! I'm a northern gal, no problem. ;-) — The pool was “closed” for the season, but when I asked if I could use it that afternoon while I did my laundry, they said go right ahead, but cautioned me that the water is cold! I’m a northern gal, no problem. 😉

Making new friends – A little dock party get-together. Bud (yellow shirt) was the first MTOA member we have met on this entire trip.

Staying at a yacht club for three days may sound like a vacation, and in some ways it was. Access to unlimited water and electricity is a luxury when you live on a boat. But this was also a good place to get some boat chores done, like the piles of laundry. The boat also needed a good cleaning inside and out. Other chores are necessary, but not so much fun………

Each slip had its own pump-out station. For the landlubbers reading the blog, the pump-out is necessary for cleaning out the holding tank which holds the toilet waste. Get it? Here is Al with the "self-serve" pump-out. — Each slip had its own pump-out station. For the landlubbers reading the blog, the pump-out is necessary for cleaning out the holding tank which holds the toilet waste. Get it? Here is Al with the “self-serve” pump-out.

The refrigerator and freezer really needed to be defrosted. To speed things up, Al uses a little heat. Then I quickly get everything back into the chilling spaces.

Hanging out at a marina did leave Al with a little bit of time on his hands. When he has time on his hands, he starts fussing with things. He has been frustrated with our solar panels at times. Although more powerful than on the Morgan, they seem to get shaded too often. If he had his way, he would probably invent some thing-a-ma-jig so that he could tilt and twirl both panels all over the place to follow the sun.

Playing around with the solar panels to get a better tilt on the back one and increase the amount of solar power.

The result of his tinkering?For now, he has the back panel tilted like this.

Each morning we took a walk on the boardwalk with our coffee, checking out the other boats. Every boater loves looking at other boats.

While doing our chores, we were eagerly awaiting the return of Magnolia’s crew, Anthony and Annette, from their road trip home to Washington, DC. We haven’t seen them in over a year. Their Magnolia is also a Morgan, a 44 Center Cockpit, and is very similar to our dear Morgan. Magnolia and her crew have had feature roles in my past blogs as our paths cross and criss cross. We will always share the bond of being members of the “freshman cruising class of 2013.”

Magnolia, patiently waiting for her crew to return. She is a beauty, isn’t she?

Rose and John, owners of The Officers Club at MBYC have a reputation for their awesome chicken wings, according to Anthony, Magnolia's captain. He ate those wings back in his youth at their former restaurant in New Jersey. — Rose and John, owners of The Officers Club at MBYC, have a reputation for their awesome chicken wings, according to Anthony, Magnolia’s captain. He ate those wings back in his youth at their former restaurant in New Jersey. After a serious taste test, we all agreed!

Anthony and Annette, Joe and Christine, their friends from Southport, and us. Another great evening with old and new friends.

Next day? Magnolia and Kindred Spirit will travel together into the Waccamaw River.

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