Charleston, SC to Elizabeth City, NC
Charleston, SC to Elizabeth City, NC April 15 - April 29.
Monday, April 15. After 36 miles we stopped at the Leland Oil Company Marina in McClellanville, SC. Highlight was walking to the 1,000 year live oak tree.
Looks pretty good for being over 1,000 years.
Pretty church near the tree.
Tuesday, April 16. We fueled at Wacca Wache Marina then arrived at Osprey Marina near Myrtle Beach, SC after traveling 57miles. We did not see any alligators—but this sign was right by our dock!
Wednesday, April 17. Left early from Osprey Marina to Southport, NC, 56 miles away. Sunrise as we came out of the marina’s canal.
This home is well known in looper world. The couple are harbor hosts for Southport, NC. When we motored to a nearby restaurant with a free dock, Robert C. could see us from his porch and radio’d inviting us over to their porch. He and his wife Kay are also at the AGLCA rendezvous giving destination briefings. We attended the one last November that was loaded with their favorite stops from Ft. Myers, FL to Norfolk, VA. We have used it all the way through for ideas where to go and what to see. We stopped briefly at their home, and as shown in the photo there were alot of folks at their porch.
This was the free dock we stayed at in Southport at the Provision Co. restaurant.
Thursday, April 18. We walked to Southport’s main street for breakfast and ate with Kevin & Edie (My Blue Tortuga). We had met them briefly in Eau Gallie Yacht Basin in Florida. Kevin is scheduled to give a briefing at the upcoming AGLCA rendezvous on fitness while doing the loop. I think this is an excellent addention to the rendezvous agenda.
After breakfast, Darth changed the fuel filters on the boat, while I stayed near when additional tools were needed. AND I will not question when he doesn’t want me to throw away used milk cartons. They have many uses! The tight quarters to change the fuel provided some challenges, the job was completed and we were on our way to Carolina Beach State Park only 12 miles away.
Our spot at the State Park. Bikes were used right away for a quick grocery run to Carolina Beach. The amenities were wonderful with laundry, shower, and a lounge with wifi, puzzles, games, and books. Such a great deal— boat slips are only $24 per night.
Friday, April 19. We rode the bikes to the Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center about a 1.5 miles from the marina. We learned there are several carnivorous plants grown in the park.
This is the Venus Flytrap—a state symbol for North Carolina. I was expecting the plant be a little larger like Audrey Jr in Little Shop of Horrors. : )
We continued our bike ride to Kure Beach and spotted a filming crew. A crewmember ran over to us and asked if we would continue down the street and to NOT look back at the camera. Hmmmm—-the actress in purple is Zooey Deschanel, and the title of movie is MERV—I think —after googling. We are both wearing yellow—walking the bikes, in case we made the cut.
After our bike ride we stopped at Good Hops just for the name—and the beer was good. : )
Saturday, April 20, Darth’s birthday began with a quick morning pumpout. This photo was taken right before a major spew when the suction attachment detached. OH man it was stinky and not a very nice birthday present.
Karla and Paul (Current Plan) helped us celebrate Darth’s birthday. They had just returned from a trip home and had a rental car. We went to Wilmington and toured the North Carolina Battleship. It was a great day spent with them.
Sunday, April 21. What a difference a day makes. We originally intended to leave but the wind and rain changed our plans. We booked two more nights and moved to another spot as the park had reserved our spot for a boat due in later in the afternoon. We had about 6 minutes between rain squalls.
Monday, April 22. We rode to find the trails in the park with more carnivorous plants—action shot.
Our last sunset at Carolina Beach State Park. We completely enjoyed the restful 5 days we had, plus many conversations with fellow boaters and campers that would walk the docks.
Tuesday, April 23. We left early for an anchorage at Mile Hammock Basin right outside Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; 45 miles away.
The homes along the way never get old to look at. The two osprey are nesting on top of the pole.
Moonrise in the anchorage at Mile Hammock. There were 14 boats anchored for the night—we all would be making our way through Onslow Beach Swing Bridge that opened on the hour only beginning at 9:00am.
Wednesday, April 24. This DANGER sign was right by the Marine Base—apparently there are times the waterway is closed during target practice. We could see tanks that have been used for practice—-the condition of the tanks proved that practice works!
We love to cruise up on the command bridge. Wednesday was windy and cold, the waves werent too bad at this point—they did get sporty though and we went back down to cruise from inside.
Our destination was Beaufort, NC; 59 miles away. There were several loopers staying at the Beaufort City Docks and we enjoyed our free welcome beer with Carole (North Star), Karla & Paul (Current Plan).
OK… Beaufort, SC is pronounce BEW-fort; Beaufort, NC is pronounced BOW-fort. WHY? SC has the French version is all I could find on this question.
BEW-fort, SC was founded in 1711 and named after Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort.
BOW-fort, NC was founded in 1713 and named after Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort.
Both B-forts are amoung our favorite small-ish towns that we have visited—the history and beauty of each town was thoroughly enjoyed.
Thursday, April 25. Walking through Beaufort, NC. We stopped at the Old Burying Ground established in 1700; and read the notes on 20 graves from the town’s historians which provided a self guided tour. We toured the NC Maritime Museum with relics from the Civil War. There was a huge display including arifacts from Blackbeard’s vessel and an holloraphic show of Blackbeard at his desk. A small child walked by and backed up saying the man is angry. We enjoyed listening to his grandma explaining that he wasn’t real. They did a good job with the displays.
Loved these igloo bird houses along Beaufort’s shore. In the background is Shackleford Banks where the descendants of Spanish mustangs that were tossed ashore in the 1500s shipwrecks.
Friday, April 26. We had two bodies of water that provide challenges along this part of the loop. The first onle was the Pamlico Sound. Not as bad as when we crossed the Gulf of Mexico—-but we were in for a ‘sporty’ ride which ended up to be beyond sporty. There was definitely complaining from me, truly taking blame for not reading the wather better. Absolutely no complaining from Darth. Which honestly is comforting that he stays calm during these fun times.
Karla texted me during our sporty time. There were several boats heading for similar destinations. We all were fine—and we all talked about it later agreeing that it was worse than expected.
Our destination was Belhaven, NC; 60 miles from Beaufort.
The wind calmed down and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
Saturday, April 27. Today’s destination was South Lake #2 anchorage, at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 53 miles away. It was a pretty easy cruise most of the day.
Sunday, April 28. We needed to cross the Albemarle Sound this day. This is the second challenge in this part of our loop. We triple checked that Sunday would be better than Monday so we pulled anchor early to make our way to Elizabeth City, 30 miles away.
This is the Weeksville Dirigible Hangar in Pasquotank County in NC on way to Elizabeth City.
This is so true! Elizabeth City has at least 3 different locations of free docks for boaters.
We stayed at Mid Atlantic Christian University’s free dock. They don’t have power or water but they do let boaters use the showers in their gymnasium. They were wonderful showers!
Gizmo from Current Plan is smiling.
Monday, April 29. We met Karla and Paul at this cute coffee shop and toured the Museum of the Albemarle. It was a interesting museum of the people and events that shaped the community.
Next destination will be Norfolk via the looper’s famous cruise through the Dismal Swamp.