The Wrightsville Beach Bridge
The current was running 1.7kts. when we came through

November 21, 2009

We were so tired last night that we didn’t write any update. We went through six bridges (swing, bascule and fixed) on our way to Wrightsville, NC, the picture above being the last before we docked. It’s very interesting timing the arrival at the first bridge, then going like mad for three hours to get through the next one. If you happen to be early and the current is strong, you do a float-and-change-position dance with the other boats.

This part of the Waterway from Oriental to Wrightsville was very narrow. It took a lot of concentration not to go outside the channel, where there could be one to three feet of water. There was also much more to look at. Incredible homes/estates as we got farther south, complete with combination boat lifts and in some cases docks that extended several hundred feet into the water. We can just imagine zoning approval for that n the Chesapeake!

We’re doing a one-day layover in Wrightsville before heading on to Holden Beach, NC. Still hope to get to Charleston, probably on Thanksgiving Day. For those of you who know them, we’re having lunch today with Ed and Cathie Lutz. They’re driving 90 miles to join us.

November 22, 2009

Catch-up day!

Under the Bridge at Holden Beach

November 23, 2009

Life never ceases to amaze us, and we’re learning every day. As we’re attempting to stay in the narrow channel on our way from Wrightsville Beach to Holden Beach, we came upon a huge dredging operation. Now, that wouldn’t have been a problem, but the dredge was hiding the right-hand (starboard) marker. Spotting the one beyond, we headed in that direction, only to run up on the dredge pipe. A work boat and then a small tug attempted to pull us off the pipe, to no avail. They didn’t want to continue for fear of damaging the boat. Good plan! So we sat there for an hour and a half and waited for the tide to rise. You know the old saying, “A rising tide floats all boats,” or something like that. Fred eventually worked us off the pipe, which was probably a three or foot-diameter tube.

Then farther down the river, when we approached a bridge under construction, we had to hold off for two very large tugs pushing barges. It was a relief to finally get to a marina. Although the marina had no power, we’ve cooked dinner on board and are relaxing, finally.

Tomorrow, we’ll head for the Myrtle Beach area and beyond. We already have reservations for Charleston on Thanksgiving Day, and we’ll get there by hook or by crook!

Joyce with Kindle, will do laundry

November 24, 2009

A very uneventful day and, I might say, a welcome uneventful day! Cruised down the Little River and now we are in the Osprey Marina off the Waccamaw River in South Carolina. Went through twelve bridges, four of which we had to signal the bridge tender when we wanted to go through. The others were 65 feet tall, which we can pass through handily. Much less boat, ship, tug traffic today and much less stress. At the marina manager’s suggestion, we had a car pick us up and take us to Scatori’s , an Italian restaurant, where we had an excellent meal with the requisite amount of garlic. The restaurant would definitely be worth revisiting on the trip back in the spring.

An interesting sight in Little River. We saw what we thought was a small deer swimming across the river to the other side. Do deer swim? We’ve also been alerted that there are many alligators in the area. Needless to say, the doors are locked and we watch everywhere we step while on land.

Tomorrow, one day closer to Charleston.

Sunset on Jeremy Creek off the ICW

November 25, 2009

Well, we’re approaching Thanksgiving with no family in sight. What a different holiday it will be. Our plan is still to be in Charleston tomorrow, where we have reservations at the Charleston Place Hotel for dinner. Then we’ll rent a car on Friday, find a month-long home for Wise One, and drive to PA. It will seem odd leaving her among strangers, but she might get her bottom painted during our absence.

We covered about 57 miles today and are spending the night at Leland Oil Co. Marina, where we are among commercial shrimp boats. During the day we saw many dolphins, but no alligators. That’s a good thing. Right? And the terrain changed dramatically from vast open bay to heavily wooded canal to marshland, as we passed through the Cape Roman National Wildlife Refuge. The birds called cormorants were everywhere and recognizable because they sit on pilings and spread their wings “as if waiting for a hug,” as the Waterway Guide describes them. We suspect they’re merely drying their wings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope you have a wonderful day with the special people in your lives. And a big hug for Granddaughter Katie Onushko, who is 19 today!

A small section of Charleston City Marina at dusk

November 26, 2009

We arrived in Charleston, SC at 3:30 and are presently docked among 400 other boats. That was exciting, finding Slip J-8. The day began two hours late because of heavy fog. When Fred had an estimated ½ mile visibility, he decided it was time to boogie! He said if he could land a plane in this fog, he could certainly steer a boat through it. If anybody wonders why my hair is grayer, that’s one good reason!

Charleston is vibrant and we’re anxious to take some tours and find out more about this dynamic city. Tomorrow we pick up the rental car and make arrangements for Wise One. We plan to play tourist Saturday and Sunday and begin the journey home Monday, November 30^th. What a wonderful adventure this has been and what a privilege to have been able to do it. It’s been a Thanksgiving to remember. We’ll talk to you all when we get home.