Tuesday, May 19, 2009
19 May - Day 77. It's cold at first light, 51F! Just miss the North Carolina record low for this date, 50F, set in 1955. Passing through Myrtle Beach on the ICW is always entertaining. Lots of new, big houses line the waterway. Golf courses too. In North Myrtle Beach is a treacherous section of the ICW called the rock pile. It's narrow and there are rock protrusions well into the waterway. Knowing this no one wants to yield the center so it's a giant game of chicken with each on coming boat. The wind is blowing in the mid 20's as we pass through Southport, NC. This marks the end of our very protected passage and we enter the larger waters of the Cape Fear River. We're welcomed with 4' waves and whitecaps. A quick 180 and we're back into Southport's harbor in no time. A big sail boat fills the anchorage while two rafted sail boats fill the free dock. A quick call to the Provision Company, a local restaurant, and we have a slip for the night. Upon arrival we're told the terms of the mooring: no water; no electricity; no fee. After a quick crew conference we acquiesce to the ardent terms. At the Provision Company Dock in downtown Southport, NC. 68nm today: 2340nm total. DBH
