It was calm at first light.  We left the marina before 7:30am.  We were trying to decide whether to wait for a tidal change or just be cautious with today’s challenge.  Also, we figured we had a 45 mile day making it unnecessary to leave too early in the morning.  Cloudy but calm.  No rain until later tonight.  We will be safely docked at Southport, NC.  So let’s go!!

Up to this point in our boating journey, the bottom of the ICW has been sand or mud.  If we hit ground, everyone says “just back off and try again“, “it is soft, so no harm to the boat“.  UNTIL, they say, you get to the “Rock Pile”.  Every precaution should be made since this cut is hard granite.  No soft mud.  No soft sand.  If you hit this hard stuff you will do permanent damage to your boat.  ouch!!  WOW!!  Other local boaters said to “stay in the middle of the channel” and don’t follow the “magenta line”.  As long as you stay in the middle, you won’t hit ground.  You won’t hit the sides.  Sides?  The granite juts out into the channel somewhat.  That is why you can’t pass anyone, can’t stray from the middle, can’t misbehave in any way.  Alrighty, then.  We had a good night’s rest.  The sun isn’t in our eyes.  We are ready to go!!

The good news is that by going into the “Rock Pile” during low tide, we could see the rock more easily.  See all the brown near the triangle sign?  That is rock!  Not soft mud!!

We stayed in the visual center within the canal.  I took a picture of the chart plotter.  It is way off.  OR we are way off.  The chart plotter has us on land not in the middle of the channel.  hahaha

 

The actual Rock Pile area is about a mile long.  There are stories passed on from boater to boater about the time someone tried to pass someone within that stretch and hit hard.  We were careful- met no one opposing us like a tug nor had to pass anyone.  We had a great transit!  Thanks to all the folks giving us guidance along the way!!   Whew!!

Getting the hardest challenge over and done with first thing in the morning means I can concentrate on taking pictures along the way and enjoy the sights.  How about these modular homes?  Some houses on stilts.  Some not.  This way everyone has a view.

 

We are still officially in N. Myrtle Beach and these “tour” boats are evidence.  The Super Voyager passengers actually waved back!  Which one would you like to take a ride on?

 

These houses look like they are condos.  Balconies on each floor.  Chairs to catch the ICW sunset view.  OR are these just single homes.  Very curious.  I haven’t decided.

When you boat up/down the ICW, how do you give directions to your house?  Most of the houses are pastels, white, or brown.  You have to make your house distinctive.  Here are several.

See that one on the right?  Not the pale green house.

 

We crossed over into North Carolina this morning.  Maybe around here??  I didn’t feel any different.  So far we have traveled in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.  So many more states to go.

What does it look like traveling around 10mph?  Watch the video.  You might want to mute the sound so you can concentrate on the beauty of the country side.  You can blink, though.  At 10 mph the world passes rather slowly.

 

Mid morning and these shrimpers are still at dock?  The boats might have rust but the fishing nets look new and ready for the new season.

This guy isn’t going anywhere soon.  oops… there must be a story to this one!!  Boaters tell the best ones.   We just saw “Jaws 2” on TV.  Isn’t this what happened to those boats?  Sharks aren’t around here, are they?

 

Wayne exclaimed…. Flying Boats!!  Watch out!!  I have heard of Flying Nuns.  But boats?

Around the corner and we see….   How do they get them all the way – up – there?

 

We saw a couple of places where you could see the Atlantic.  No one is swimming today.  It is Wednesday so that might explain no boats, no people, no dogs.

 

A great view for these folks in this RV park.  Although, many of these RV’rs look like they have been in the same place for a while.  Long enough to build wooden decks.  Very nice if you have the front row view!!

 

If you want to buy your own island, Monk Island is having a “Liquidation Sale”.  Hurry!  Hurry!  You don’t want to miss this great bargain!!

 

We arrived early afternoon at Southport Marina. Still very cloudy and cool.  The wind had kicked up a notch to 10 -12mph.  We made it to the fuel dock for fuel and a pump out before moving around the corner to a slip.  While Wayne was handling to fueling, I noticed this guy working on a sail boat.  It isn’t too windy for maintenance?!?!

 

The weather is supposed to stay cloudy and windy for the next couple of days.  There is a small weather disturbance to the south and we are hoping it will move on soon.  We plan on being here 3 days.