Retail Therapy in Myrtle Beach

View across the ICW at Barefoot Landing, N. Myrtle Beach, SC

What is it about docking at an outlet mall in North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing, that seems so entertaining? Many boaters think this is tacky, commercialized and really crazy...but we find it rather enjoyable. The dock is 500 feet long with side tie, and is part of the Barefoot Landing complex where there are outlet stores, restaurants, theaters, and tigers, oh my! Yes, they even have tigers here!

So, we dock, shop, walk, observe and enjoy because, as far as we know, this is the ONLY place where cruising boats can dock at a mall....Thank Goodness!



                                         Here are some photos of the day (I shot 99 today)

Got Pilings? Tide is low, down 5 feet, but tops are this high for hurricanes.
When a storm hits, the waters can rise 10-15 feet in this area!

Good friends Debbie & John met us for dinner at St. James Plantation
Debbie, Radeen, John & Hayden

An egret works the low tide for morning breakfast

Waterman raking the low tide for clams

The morning sun back lights a snowy Egret

Brrrrr, it is COLD in the AM, note the hoods on these fisherman

Canal homes of Ocean Isles Beach, NC

Little River Swing Bridge, stops traffic and opens for Island Spirit, the only boat passing through

Radeen brings back the rewards from plundering the IZOD store

Radeen models her new IZOD fleece
The rest were summer shirts...because where we are going...we don't need fleece!

Once again, we have enjoyed the Barefoot Landing dock. We walked the grounds several times, enjoyed the 27 acre lake, window shopped, and bought a few new shirts. It is a fun stop, certainly different, and one not to miss for us. Tomorrow we enter PARADISE, the Waccamaw River Valley, where we will drop anchor and sleep in total isolation. What a contrast to today's retail adventure!

Beaufort to Wrightsville Beach

A Google Map of this section

This is an interesting section of the ICW, from Beaufort, NC to Wrightsville Beach, NC. Sights range from the commercial shipping of Morehead City to the firing ranges of Camp Lejeune Military Base where 40,000 Marines train each year to the beach resort town of Wrightsville Beach.

This area is also known for its natural beauty and diversity, with several national forests close to the Waterway, the Rachel Carson Reserve and nearly endless magnificent beaches.



Here are some photos to show this diversity...

Orange Lifeboat on the launch ramp of a commercial ship in Morehead City 

The same bulk carrier being loaded

Notice the underwater bulb at the bow of the ship.
The waterline will be the bottom of the blue paint when fully loaded!

At anchor in Mile Hammock Bay, Camp Lejeune, a simple dinner of salad, chili and red wine after a breezy day.
(Thus the wild hair!)

Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge just north of Wrightsville Beach

Island Spirit at anchor, where she is fully loaded and STILL has a waterline!

This is what $1,000,000 dollars will get you in Wrightsville Beach, NC
3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 blocks off the beach!

At Johnnie Mercer Fishing Pier. Cold front day, winds 15-20 North, chilly Canadian Air...brrrr

The cold does not stop Wrightsville Beach surfers, paddle boarders, swimmers and walkers
who all take to the beach. This is a very active town.

Architecture Study: Typical restored original beach house from early 1900's.

Though cloudy and cool, we had a pleasant trip from Mile Marker 200 to 284, covering 84 miles in two days.

Kate & Greg

Kate, Greg, Hayden & Radeen in Beaufort
With Doodles Gracie and Lucy

There are special people in this world and then there are REALLY SPECIAL PEOPLE who make a difference in people's lives. Our trip through Beaufort is always diverted to enjoy a visit with our very special friends, Greg and Kate, who are some of the most gracious and generous people we have ever met. They host us at their home, prepare fabulous meals, drive us around to the grocery story, take us out for fast rides on their powerboat, help us with laundry, and entertain us with great conversations and stories of travels and adventures. Greg and Kate run the blog Tails from the Highway where they post travel reports as they explore the West and Southwest via their 37 foot fifth wheel camper. They were also IP350 owners (boat named ei"Lean) and that is our original connection together via the IPY fleet. Now, they are very dear friends. It is nearly impossible to move on, but we must. THANK YOU BOTH for everything!

Here are some photos from our visit

Kate and Radeen on their lovely porch, enjoying champagne
Note the rosy cheeks and happy smiles!

They surprised us on approach to Beaufort in Kate's new boat....Greg really spoils her :-)

Hayden and Greg ...Cheers!

Kate spoiling us with a delicious Italian meal

Kate and Greg's T-top next to Island Spirit

The Need for SPEED, Yamaha 150 doing about 35!

Kate spoils us again with another fantastic dinner
How will we ever leave????

Island Spirit in the view from their window

One of two Doodles, Gracie is the lap dog and will be your best friend

Thank you again for your generous hospitality, Greg and Kate!  We will see you in the spring!

350 KISMET Photoshoot

Good friends Laurie and Jim on 350 KISMET hoisted a Code Zero Sail on the Neuse River and I was lucky enough to motor up and take a few (215) digital high resolution photos.

Being nicknamed "PhotoBoy" I could not resist taking a ton of photos. What a fun time.


Here are a few of the best...

Sunrise Sunset

Sunset, Alligator River, NC

Sunrise, Sunset...
Sunrise, Sunset...
Swiftly fly the years...
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears.

From the Alligator River, Deep Point anchorage sunset to the sunrise this morning in Bonner Bay, we are being treated to some fantastic displays of nature. Add in the company of good friends Laurie and Jim on IP350 KISMET, and you begin to see the treasures of the cruising life.



Photos of the day. (I shot 95 today and one video)

Sunrise lights up the Pungo Canal

Sunrise over our port side lights the trees to starboard

A Bald Eagle in Pungo Canal

Canal debris pile in the morning light

R. E. Mayo Fishing Docks, mid day light

IP350 KISMET at anchor, Bonner Bay

IP35 Island Spirit and IP350 Kismet share dinner and a sunset on Bonner Bay

Sunset on Island Spirit at anchor

The last glimmer of the sun

Sunset Bonner Bay, NC as seen from anchor

Beautiful sky at sunset

Good Morning....the next day...this is the SUNRISE

Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset....Swiftly fly the years.....
Have a beautiful day!