Caribbean Soul Has Achieved "southness" (South Carolina).

Today is day 14 of our journey. We have some pictures for you all, but our internet connection is too slow here just off the Waccamaw River. The pictures will be added as soon as we get to a place in the Waterway that is less remote--we are wayyyy out in the boonies!

Since the last posting, the adventure has had some interesting twists and turns--none of which required going back North. Day 11 started by waking early in the freezing Swansboro anchorage and venturing down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) through Camp Lejuene, NC. It was Saturday and the Marines were not practicing their bomb dropping skills along the ICW .(Sometimes they close this section of the ICW for hours at a time!) We ended up anchoring near Surf City at Sloop Point.

Day 12 (Sunday) --We were still in our long underwear and lots of layers of wool, fleece, and polypro----Brrrr. We got to the town of Southport, NC in the afternoon. Locals helped us find a boat slip. The deal was that transients (that's us) could dock over night for free if you purchased a meal. The restaurant, however, was closed for the season, so it was just free. We took the dinghy over to the brand new Southport Marina for showers. And that ended up being free too! We love Southport. When the pictures are added here, you can see some of the sights in Southport, NC--boats decorated for Christmas, a Christmas/candy store, and a great big ol' pelican checking out our dinghy.

Day13 (Monday)--We decided to let the Caribbean Soul go sailing in the ocean. We left from the mouth of the Cape Fear River and sailed for 5 hours to the Little River Inlet in South Carolina. The weather on the ocean was windy in spots, so Capt. John crawled out on deck to put a reef in the mainsail. Caribbean Soul is always a happy boat, but it seems almost giddy out there in the ocean waves--happy, happy boat!

Day 14 ---We slept in and didn't get up until 8 AM. It was an easy and interesting trip down the ICW. John says it's his favorite part of the ICW. It goes through Myrtle Beach where you can ogle all the mansions and golf courses. Then the ICW turns into the Waccamaw River which is lined with cypus trees and lots of Spanish moss. Every twist and turn brings a new sight. One area had trees full of vultures--2o or more! Nearby the ospreys had taken over a day marker with a nest built so huge it hung over the sides and made reading the marker impossible.


Tonight we are anchored just off the Waccamaw River on Thoroughfare Creek. This area is so remote we didn't expect to see anyone here, but as we rounded the last curve in the creek we spied another boat anchored. Its occupants came by and invited us over. Great folks from London, England. The boat--Corbin 39--was lovely--lots of living space. They've lived aboard for the last 4 years and are heading to Cuba and other spots south. We hope to see them again.

And finally, this is the first night we have not had to run our little propane heater. Ahhh--the promise of warmer weather as we continue to achieve "southness."