Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Charlestown, SC

Coming into Charlestown was quite a treat. We immediately were reminded of Maine. Right in the same harbor we recognized two boats from our past. The first was the "Francis Marion" from Northeast Harbor and the second was "Serenity" from Belfast. The Francis Marion was a boat that Steve helped take care of when with Morris Yachts and the Serenity was a boat that we chartered during our wedding and for a few years after before she was sold to its current owner.

Charlestown is full of Civil War History. We actually sailed past Fort Sumter where I believe the first shots of the war were fired, upon coming into port. We would have loved to take in more of the history but didn't have enough time. We did however enjoy its aquarium!


Entering Charlestown Harbor


Maddie holding a cute little box turtle


We didn't let the kids hold this cute little alligator!

What is that red fish swimming at the bottom of the tank anyway????

Emma and Maddie showing the big fat "goober" fish


Serenity...

Charlestown, South Carolina
November 15, 2009

McClellanville, SC

McClellanville, South Carolina
Our trip to McClellanville went well. Upon leaving in the morning we didn't really know where we were going to anchor for the night. We decided just to go until we were tired and choose the best option at that time. We have been using a waterway guide called "Skipper Bob's" fairly religiously and it always provided us safe spots to drop the hook. Tonight was no exception. Beautiful anchorage admist a marsh and fantastic bird life.










McClellanville, South Carolina
November 14, 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Georgetown, SC

Georgetown, South Carolina


Installing chart plotter in near Gale winds!


Georgetown rains and winds for last 5 days


To market, to market, to buy fresh Shrimp!


Fresh seafood market just a few blocks from the boat.


"May I pet your dog?"


Georgetown's Harborwalk.


"Bow-Tie"


The girls "loved" the dragon, "Bow-Tie".


Guess whose boat has kids on-board???


Queen Mama returning to ship.


Mrs. Bright, a retired clown, from s/v Bright Hope



November 9-13, 2009
Georgetown, South Carolina

Waccamaw River; Prince and Cow Creek, SC

Waccamaw River, SC


Low Tide on the Waccamaw River


Great Blue Heron at mouth of Cow Creek

We found the Waccamaw to be quite exciting. We saw a fair amount of wildlife compared to other sections of the waterway. We had beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures during the days with cool nights. We've been pushing longer days with not much time off the boat so are looking forward to Georgetown to stretch our legs in a few days. We had thought about getting off the boat and taking the dinghy into some of the side creeks tucked hauntingly behind the cypress branches...until we saw the alligator! Mama didn't like the idea of a rubber raft afloat next to those teeth! If we still had our hard dinghy we would have considered it more seriously.

Emma scans the shore for anything that moves. Alligators are known to climb into cockpits of boats to warm themselves on the heat of the engine. We set up watches through the night to defend against invading alligators.


Poisonous painted turtles were everywhere.


These are Poisonous Jumping Turtles. We kept clear and used a zoom lens to capture them in their natural habitat. Boats that get too close have been attacked by these killer reptiles. Poisonous Jumping Turtles are known to jump 7 feet vertically.


This gator looms waiting for the opportune moment to attack any boat in its personal space.


Cypress and other swampy looking trees along the Waccamaw.


Sunning Noodle.






Mad the Marsupial Henry




The banks of Prince Creek.




This photo looks like a bunch of trees.... because its a bunch of trees. But, it was taken along a stretch of a canal known as "the rockpile". This section has been known to claim many boats that stray from the centerline of the channel. Lots of ledge and blasted rock lines the canal.





November 7th and 8th, 2009
Waccamaw River; Prince and Cow Creek
South Carolina

Friday, November 6, 2009

Callabash River Anchorage, SC

Upon leaving Southport we headed to the Callabash River. Callabash River is just off the ICW and a decent place to drop the hook for the night after a long day. There is no access to shore here but it proved a good spot as it allowed us a quick jump back onto the ICW without traveling any extra miles the next morning...


On route to Callabash River anchorage. This is no fishing derby...just another Saturday morning on the ICW. We slowed "Hook" down to 1Kt and dropped a line ourselves with no luck. Locals said they were fishing for a fish called "Spots".

November 7, 2009
Callabash River Anchorage

Southport, NC

Southport, NC
Southport was a nice small town you could easily walk through in an afternoon. We took advantage of their library in town for an hour or so and walked their waterfront. The anchorage had room for only 3-4 small boats so it was nice and quiet.
Maddie and Kirsten delivering cupcakes to neighboring boats after dinner time.
Pirate cupcakes! Yum Yum!

Southport in the early evening.


Swings along the waterfront.


We've enjoyed checking out all the towns library's along the way.
November 6, 2009
Southport, North Carolina

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Wrightsville Beach, NC
Our stop in Wrightsville proved to be a good one for two reasons. The first being a great beach for the kids to play but the best reason was meeting up with our friend Sean Leathem and his "lady" Cecilia from Wilmington, NC. We were shown all over town and helped with some needed provisions and equipment. Thank you Sean! We would have loved to stay longer but getting further south is becoming imperative with the cold weather pushing us along. Nights here in Wrightsville were 38-40 degrees!


Hook amongst the giants...


Sunset over Motts Channel








Wrightsville Beach, NC


Sean Leathem and Kirsten on the beach just before sunset.

November 4-5, 2009
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina