Moving on down the ICW, NC,SC to HILTON HEAD

Hello and tidings of comfort and joy to all!

We have broken the first rule of BLOGGING by being so tardy in up-dating and know you have been checking to find we are still stuck in Belhaven,NC. Not so!! We have covered a lot of territory, met so many good people, had adventures and enjoyed the local flavours as we passed through. Will try to keep it short and concise so you won't click out!

While travelling the Alligator River on entering NC , we seemed to be part of an exodus south. Superior Grace and C Drifters ( our companions, Ray and Irene from GB) were in a long procession of boats, motor and sail. Swamp and cypress trees on the shores and swampland as far as you could see. Suddenly Ray was on the radio alerting all that a dog was in the river and did she belong to anyone? After a few exchanges he realized this was not a boat dog and set about rescuing her over the side of his very steep sailboat. Sorry to say, two motor yachts almost drowned her with wake. However with a mighty swoop he was able to hook her with the boat hook pulling her to safety. Olive was a " Poot " hound, bred specifically for bear hunting and she had been running a bear for 6 hours ending up in the river swimming for her life. One cold and scared hound dog! She had a transponder collar on with her ph # so the coast guard notified her owner, Chad Davis! Olive spent a warm and safe night onboard and was returned to owner next day when we arrived at Belhaven. Mr. Davis was so appreciative and the dog was ecstatic to see him.

A good deed never goes unrewarded. Down the line when at anchor one dark and stormy night in Carolina Beach, C Drifter came off her anchor at 0100 hr to drift across the anchorage and safely come alongside a private dock to awaken her startled crew! We figure it was Olive looking out for them.

We enjoyed Beaufort, NC so much and were there for 4-5 days waiting for a part for our furnace to arrive. Yes,,we were cold a few nights but the first Wal-Mart we found supplied us with a propane heater. In Beaufort we saw dolphins, wild sand ponies, learned about local history and the wonderful barbecue( pulled pork) and eastern NC barbecue sauce which is not tomato-based. Wow is it good! People come here by boat and never leave, apparently!

Onwards south , Wilmington, Carolina Beach ( where we enjoyed U.S. Thanksgiving onboard Grace ,6 of us), Southport, Calabash Creek and Myrtle Beach,SC where we joyously met up with Jamie and Debbie Easton ! They drove down from Roche's Point to come for a visit so we cruised to Charleston and they were able to spend 2 days on the ICW with us and a few at Charleston which was such a great city to visit in. We managed to tour a plantation and do the walking tour of old Charleston as well. Watched fireworks that night from the Battery and a spectacular parade of Boats all decorated for the season! Our grandkids would have loved this!

We made sure we sampled the local cuisine too! Soul food at Jestine's and seafood and sweet potato pie at Hyman's. Charleston is an excellent deastination for a get away so recommend it highly. Outside of Charleston we said good-byes to Chad and LeeAnn, the young couple from MI who are living onboard and working here. We had become very fond of them and their cat, Sushi.

ICW blues! We had generator failure just north of Myrtle beach and despite our best efforts to get attention paid to it, help was only available in Hilton Head. The ICW channel is narrow and wandering and shallow from shoaling and the captain's nerves are shot! We have had soft groundings a few times but haven't required towing. In Hilton Head our generator was taken out and sent to Ft Lauderdale to find out why it has failed, so Florida here we come.

This afternoon we head out on the Atlantic for 24 hrs which should bring us to Jacksonville and then on to St Augustine . No more skinny water but unfortunately we'll miss Georgia. We have succumbed to the magic and beauty of the South and will miss the Carolinas for sure. The dolphins are more prevalent now and come right up to the side of the boat , lifting their heads up to look at us!

On the homefront, family are well and we hear that Lucas is a natural hockey player so Boyd is planning to make a rink in the backyard. Lovely Miss Livie is growing up so and loves school and still wants to be a rock star! Tim is on his way to Banff to work for the winter. I keep sending postcards to show them our progress.

So to you and yours have a safe,happy and relaxing holiday time. Thank you for bearing with this blog business ! All the best for 2008 and until next time, cheerio and lots of love. Sue and Pete.

Albermerle Sound

Today is a sunny, warm day for a crossing of the Albermerle Sound. We are charging deep into the North Carolina south coast and are looking forward to a visit from our good friends Debbie and Jamie Easton. The warm weather seems to be returning and today they are calling for 78 degrees F. We are anchored safely in a small harbour just off Belhaven, NC and you can smell the difference in the country side. The trees and natural vegatation have changed to a distinctive southern blend, and it is glorious.



We had a surprise visit from Dan and Sue Godin while in Belhaven and it was good to see some familiar ThunderBay faces. They are heading north for home from Georgia and should be back in the North Country next week. Our next stop will be Oriental, NC and we are looking forward to some fresh shrimp straight out of the ocean. Cruising is truly about following your stomach from one gastronomic delight to the next. We wish you could all be here, and send a special wish to Jessie on her 31st birthday.

Forgot Halloween

Sue made sure that we celebrated Halloween in grand style. Several of our boating mates joined in on the festivities and we all gathered for cocktails on C-Drifters, dressed in costume. Sue carved a pumpkin and set it out but we didn't get one kid. Imagine that.

Every Mile Made is a Mile South

The Chesapeake has been fanatastic. It's too bad we didn't have more time here. The weather continues to remind us that winter is not far off. Moving south is a fine balance between waiting out hurricane season and enduring colder and colder nights. Our trusty ITR Hurricane heater has been exceptional. The boat is as comfortable as any house with central heating and it sure makes it enjoyable. We arrived in Norfolk on a wet and windy day. The extent of Naval hardware is impressive. This is a massive naval port and the picture only gives you a glimpse, but rest assured the USA is well protected on the sea. Norfolk is also the gateway for the ICW and provides us with chance to travel regardless of weather. We should make steady progress now.

It has been a few days since we had a chance to post our last message but in the meantime we have moved south as the weather gets colder. Our trip has taken us down the Chesapeake from Annapolis, into some beautiful, secluded anchorages. Sue was anxious to sample some fresh blue crabs and when we hit Deltaville, Virginia we had the good fortune to meet a crabber as he came to shore with his catch. Our travelling companions Ray and Irene ( aboard C-Drifters) were with us and we took the opportunity to buy 24 of the lovely's for our supper. At a cost of $10:00 it didn't break the bank. That evening we steamed them up aboard C-Drifters and with Rum in hand had a Crab cracking and picking party. We netted a tub of crab meat that was the sweetest we have tasted. Now on to Norfolk and the gateway to the ICW (Inter Coastal Wayerway)

Present Day

We are going to race ahead a little bit to get everyone up to speed and show you where we are now. After leaving Atlantic city and spotting our first pod of Dolphins we made our way to Cape May. After overnighting there it was up the Delaware , across the C&D Canal, and down the Chesapeake to Annapolis City where we are now. The anchorage is very peaceful and well protected and we will spend a few days hear resting and reprovisioning. We have met some fellow boaters on the same route, Ray and Irene from Manchester, England, and Chad and Lee Ann from Michigan. Together we have braved the cold wet weather of the last two days and all are looking forward to some sun. From here it's southward along the Chesapeake toward Norfolk, Virginia and the ICW.

The Erie Canal

The Erie Canal was gorgeous. Miles of scenic boating. Like driving through corn fields and peach Orchards.

Lake Huron at Kincardine

We have brought along Olivia the Pig who will sneak into shots. She's so bold. Can Olivia and Lucas find her in other pictures?

Boating Friends say Goodbye

Catching Up!!

Our trip so far has carried us down the Great Lakes chain, across Georgian Bay, down Lk. Huron, Lk Erie and into the Erie Canal at Buffalo. The Erie canal has led us east to the Hudson River where we turned south to New York City and into the Atlantic. Following the coast line stops were made in Atlantic City and Cape May before turning north again up Delaware Bay. At the head of the Delaware we entered the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal which brought us to Chesapeake Bay. For the first time we are now on a straight southward journey with every mile made being a mile southbound. We are in Annapolis City now after a short stay in Baltimore Harbour. Further posts will be far more informative and give a daily perspective of the things we are doing, the sights we are seeing and the people we are meeting. We hope you enjoy following our progress and look forward to your comments.