May 9-14, 2016 ::: Georgetown, SC; Myrtle Beach, NC; Southport, NC; Morehead City, NC; Oriental, NC

Charleston to Georgetown

Miles of shallow water on the way to Southport, with stops in Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach, before arriving in the marina in Southport.

On the way to Swan Point Marina SONATA stopped at the New River Marina for a drink of diesel, some 200 gallons, reportedly the lowest price in the area.  At Swan Point SONATA docked in the travel lift basin.  The owners took us to a nearby restaurant and then picked us up, giving us some sweet bread for breakfast as we were to travel to Morehead City Yacht Basin the next morning.

A short stop at a favorite of ours, Oriental Marina and Inn, Oriental, NC.

Charlie relaxing on the bow on our way to the Belhaven Waterway Marina

Belhaven is a very nice marina, and, we met up with Sherri and Bruce Elder for dinner.  They were tennis buddies of Bonnie's while we were in Plantation Key for a month.

The Blimp Hangar at the Coast Guard Station in Elizabeth City; again a one night stay.

North from Elizabeth City up the Pasquotank River, possibly some of the prettiest waters on the East Coast.  Always quiet, still, green, and just plain beautiful.

Just cannot understand how this person hopes to enjoy the morning in his deer stand ... or maybe its his "river-beach-chair."

Arrival at the South Mills Lock to lock through with three other five boats.  Then off to the Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center.

Scott and Fonda joined us at the Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center ... for the ride up to Deep Creek and the return to SONATA to the Portsmouth "sea level."

At the Deep Creek Robert again brought us down to the correct sea-level, gave us a serenade on the shells, and complemented us on "loop #3" completion.

Our last eagle of the trip ... at the entry/exit, to the Dismal Swamp Canal

SONATA is just before passing under the Old Virginia RR Bridge, the Hammer Head Crane at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, in Portsmouth, is in the background.

Went past Ocean Yacht to look at Admiral's Landing Condo, the Third Floor right corner (no furniture on the balcony) to see if our condo was still there.  Our reacquired home for a while.

We were fortunate to have our dear friends, Dick and Betty greet us on arrival at the docks of Ocean Yacht.  They have wonderful travelers with us ... and we will do more.

May 18, 2016 :::  Alongside the dock at Ocean Yacht Marina ... good to be home.

The blog has now been completed.  Moving back to our condo home has taken time, Charlie's heart rehab took months, a little boat trip from Switzerland to Belgium in October took time ... and we are now ready to publish this blog.  Life on God's earth is such a pleasure, such a wonderful gift, and we thank Him for all that He has given to us.  We have been and are abundantly Blessed.

April 26, 2016 ::: Fernandina to Jekyll Island, Walberg Creek, Isle of Hope Marina outside Savannah; Charleston.

On the way to Jekyll Island we were under the watchful eye of one of our eagles.  He just sat there and examined us as we passed under his perch.

The tide was on our side and gave us a push up the ICW, making 9.0 knots ... fast for us.  With our timely arrival at the Jekyll Island Marina, 1157,  we decided to off-load the bikes and ride to the Island Club for lunch and then to tour the area.

Lunch was served on an interior porch of this the Club.  We afterwards took a tour that was offered, a guided tram tour of the 240 acres and two of the vacation homes of the '20s rich. 

The Trinity Chapel

Rockefeller's restored cottage.

Leaving Jekyll we traveled through the "out-back" of Georgia.  Flat ground and marshes, shallow water and down Little Mud River to get to Walberg Creek and anchor for the night; the same location we anchored on the first loop April 27, 2008 ... same date of the same month ...

In the early afternoon we arrived at Isle of Hope Marina which is on the ICW east of Savannah.  We borrowed the marina's vehicle and drove to Savannah for country cooking.

The next day MANANA and MIST arrived to join us for the trip to Beaufort and Charleston.

The channel known as Wappoo Creek which connects the ICW into the Ashley River and allows us to proceed on to the Charleston City Docks.

Charleston City Docks

Sunset on the Ashley River, Charleston City Docks

One of the "big-boys" with us; the LADY GAYLE MARIE with the folding in staircase; owned by Tom Benson who also owns the New Orleans Saints football team.  All is not well, however, Benson is being sued by his daughter and grandchildren over control of his business empire.  Blame is placed by the Benson heirs on the schism caused by his third wife ... after whom the boat is named.

Reportedly owned by Merlin Hanson ... Merlin says all his boats have been named after Merlin the Magician ... King Arthur's Court.  Vessel is 200 tons, two engines of 1,480 horsepower each and draws some 6 feet 8 inches.  Has 10 private cabins and a top speed of 18 knots.  Holds 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 700 gallons of water ... can make 1,600 gallons of fresh water in 24 hours.  Boating magazines estimate the cost of the boat was some $10 million.  Hanson, who heads a conglomerate of companies including Hanson Cold Storage, PureFact, Hanson Mold and Eagle Technologies ... waited for two and a half years for delivery of his yacht.  He wants to share his yacht with others.

Departing Charleston from the Charleston City Marina you travel eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean and as you near Fort Sumter you must turn northward toward Sullivan's Island and proceed inside Sullivan's to enter the continuation of ICW northbound.  We are once again traveling with MANANA in our rear view mirror.  Expect them to be with us until we stop in Portsmouth.