Golden Days on the ICW

Thursday - Friday, May 14 & 15, 2015

Leaving Osprey Marina we continued north along the Waccamaw River which is fresh water. It has a very brown color that we have learned is from the tannins in the water and not from dirt or pollution. The water is actually very clean but it does give most boats the brown stain on the bow that is referred to the ICW smile or moustache.

Fruitcakes, center, leading the way out of Osprey Marina

 

Kathy getting comfortable on the upper helm

Fruitcakes ahead - Julie taking pictures

 The day was unremarkable except for grand homes that replaced the wooded growth as we got closer to Myrtle Beach. The last few miles were in the Rock Pile, a 2 mile section of channel that has been carved out of rock. It is very narrow, but deep, and bordered with threatening looking rocks. Before entering, Fruitcakes went on the radio to check to see if any boat traffic was coming the other way. Fortunately, no commercial vessels were approaching so we breezed through.

Ledges along the Rock Pile - the South Carolina
version of the Canadian Shield

Andy and Julie are ready to celebrate and fly the Gold Looper burgee!

Julie is holding a sign that says, "Boating with friends, priceless!"

This was one of the most memorable days on our whole trip. After over a year of traveling, our friends on Fruitcakes pulled into their home port at their condo complex in Little River as we followed along. It was so exciting to be there when they were greeted by family and friends - and... they had found an empty slip for us to stay in, too! Later we went out to dinner at the Crab Catcher to celebrate and they even loaned us a car so we could see the area and get some groceries.
The next day we drove to the beach for a nice walk but we didn't spend too much time in Myrtle Beach because we had already been there by car and it was biker week - the traffic was intense. It seemed even worse after being on the calm waterway and seeing only a few other boats as we traveled. That evening the condo social group put on a great party and pot luck for Andy and Julie. Other Looper friends who had gone on ahead or already completed their trip drove down from Southport and Wilmington to help celebrate. 

John, Roger, Jane, Julie, Kathy, Mark and another Mark, Loopers all!

We were pleased to be joined by Patsy Conrad, far left, who had completed the
loop several years ago with her husband, Tom. The couples, from left to right:
John & Kathy, Mark & Becky, Roger & Mary, Andy & Julie, Mark & Jane

Captain’s Log May 14, 2015

Departed: Osprey Marina, Socastee, SC (just south of Myrtle Beach ) 9:00 a.m.
Engine hours: 4.0 hrs. – 676.5 total for trip
Actual hours: 3 hrs.  35 min.
Miles covered 29.23 - Total for trip: 4773
Arrived: Mariners Point Condos and Marina, Little River, SC 12:35 p.m.
Weather: Cool, NE wind 10-15 kts, partly cloudy.  
Traveled with Fruitcakes on their final leg of the Great Loop trip. Followed them thru the “Rock Pile” then into their Condo/Marina complex. They let us tie up in an empty slip for two nights.

Saturday, May 16

We were on our own as we left Little River but it was a picture perfect day on very easy waterways. We got a nice push from the high tide at the start and our speed averaged out to be about 8 mph. About a half an hour after departure we crossed the line into North Carolina. Woot, woot – another state!We arrived in Southport just before noon. The harbor host, Robert Creech, brought us some packages that John had asked to be delivered to his home. A harbor host is someone who has completed the great loop and who resides in the local town and is willing to help travelers who arrive in their area. Robert was very friendly and able to answer any questions that we had. We stopped by later in the afternoon to sit on his front porch which overlooks the water - and his own boat - to chat with him and his wife, Kay. It was another good day on the loop!

Captain’s Log May 16, 2015

Departed: Mariners Landing condos/marina, Little River, SC at 06:35 am
Engine hours: 4.6 hrs /total on trip 681.1
Actual Hours: 4 hrs 35 minutes
Miles covered: 35.70 total for trip 4809
Arrived: Southport Marina, Southport, NC
Weather: Clear – 69 degrees – calm – warmed up to 75 degrees, winds SE 5-10