Sailing Trance

Thursday December 12, 2019

The wind was brisk today, there were waves and white caps on the ICW. We traveled from Georgetown SC to Charleston SC, it’s still cold, temperature was in the low 50’s. When Luke lived here in Charleston, he was friends a pizza shop owner Ben D’Allesandro, also an Eagles fan. He told Luke when we arrived he’d bring us pizza, He did, along with a six pack of local craft beer, and cookies from a local bakery. It was the best pizza! If you’re ever in Charleston be sure to stop in D’Als Pizza. Our new friends from sv Gander we’re invited to join us, Renee came over, Josh and Jeff had dinner with an old friend but stopped by later.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Still on the ICW, uncooperative weather on the ocean, I bet if it weren’t so cold we may be out there. We stopped for the night in Georgetown SC. For dinner we purchased shrimp at Independent Seafood, Danielle cooked them up tossed in pasta with a red sauce, delicious!

Tuesday December 10, 2019

Another day on the ICW. We heard it was a “washing machine” on the ocean from boats who were out there. We saw Miss Janice! She’s the shrimp boat the belongs to the Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry where we had dinner a few nights ago. Janice was cruising the ICW. We made it through the “rock pile” it was uneventful compared to others descriptions. We followed s/v Gander from Southport to Myrtle Beach, docked together at Marina at Grande Dunes. We share a few after dinner. Planning on traveling together for a few days.

Monday December 9, 2019

The morning started with a heavy fog that lasted hours. We stayed in Southport another day, getting a few things done. Dan purchased zippers for my project, he got a ride from Bob Reninger (who works part time at the marina) he was a neighbor of Dan’s former boss Ellen who’s son married Ellen’s sister. Danielle worked till 8 pm. Dan and I went out to dinner, a Thai restaurant, then to Walmart for a few groceries with IP45 owners John and Val Kin who were in Southport getting work done on their boat. We did bring food back for Danielle.

Sunday December 8, 2019

We departed at sunrise from Sneads Ferry. It was an uneventful day on the ICW. We motor sailed frequently, with the main often adding 0.5 to 1 knot of speed. The sky was gray most of time, then rain. We watched the Bills lose to the Ravens on the NFL app. Currently we are docked at Southport Marina in Southport NC.

Saturday December 7, 2019

Left the marina by 7am, headed south. Lots of interesting sights today on the ICW. Settled in for the night around 5pm at Swan Point Marina in Sneads Ferry NC, (for heat) this place still has some major hurricane damage. The dock master recommended a great family restaurant in town called Riverview. He said just call they’ll come pick you up, so we did. Food was awesome, it’s shrimp season!!!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Foster’s arrived early in morning. Having the right tools is essential! We will be in the market for closed end metric ratchet wrenches, we only have open end ones on board. The rest of the day was spent doing laundry, Danielle worked an 8 hr day, and I created this blog. Meanwhile back at boat, Dan installed our new Zarcor companion way doors and replaced the dingy bow U bolt. We patronized a local restaurant for dinner, M and M’s from the advice of fellow thistle sailer and friend, Adam Ankers. After dinner we shared a few with the boat docked next to us, Ed Armstrong. He has a blog too, 1977 Cape Dory 28, https://sailingthevirginialee.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 5, 2019

This morning we made a few phone calls, to get in touch with a recommended mechanic. We sailed down the sound to Oriental NC, where we docked late afternoon at Whittaker Marina with the help of a tow from Boat US. An appointment was made with Foster’s Mobile Marine Service for Friday morning.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

We pulled up anchor around 7am, motored thru to The Pungo River. The winds were fair so we set sail on Pamlico Sound. The engine was turned off, it was a great sail. Only later did we realize the engine wouldn’t start. We trouble shot while sailing, with Danielle at the helm, without Navigation, to conserve power, she did an awesome job getting us around a very large shoal and the “circle of danger” with the help of Google Maps, a chart on Dan’s computer and the knowledge of navigation lights. We set anchor near Swan Creek, continued to trouble shoot with the help of buddies on the Island Packet Yacht Owners Association Facebook group.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

We had wanted to experience the Dismal Swamp, but advice from 2 sources, we decide to ride the ICW. We experienced our first lock, it was a 1.5 foot drop but a lock just the same. We continued down the canal to about midnight, anchored just south of the Alligator Swing Bridge, in the Alligator River. Did I mention it was cold?