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.
