New ports and pauses

        Alligator River, early morning moon. Click on photos to make them bigger.

Here were our stops heading back north from Prince Creek, SC to Delaware City, DE:

1.      Prince Creek anchorage, SC, off Waccamaw River, Mile Marker 385, Nov 13

2.      Cricket Cove Marina, Little River, SC

3.      Holden Beach Transient Dock, Holden Beach, NC- new

4.      Wrightsville Beach NC, anchorage

5.      Mile Hammock Bay NC, anchorage

6.      Casper's Marina, Swansboro NC

7.      Town Creek Marina, Beaufort, NC - new

8.      Oriental Marina and Inn, Oriental NC - new

9.      Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC

10.  Lower Alligator River, NC anchorage - new

11.  Coinjock Marina, Coinjock, NC

12.  Portsmouth anchorage, VA, MM zero

13.  Indian Creek, VA, anchorage - new

14.  Solomons, MD, anchorage

15.  Rhode River, MD, anchorage - new

16.  Elk Neck State Park, MD, anchorage - new

17.  Delaware City Marina, Delaware City, DE - Arrived Dec 5

Highlights and Notes: 

            At Dowry Creek Marina. The last peaceful day before winter set in.

We ordered some fuel filters in case we needed them and had them mailed to Dowry Creek Marina, NC. They were so nice to accept our box and keep it for our arrival.

 

        Peanut Butter cookies were finally made at Prince Creek Nov 11, over a month after we left home.

ICW diet  - We both lost a few unwanted pounds on the way down without trying! I think it’s the schedule. We got up early most days to catch a tide or arrive before sunset. Had a good breakfast, either sitting or under way. Small lunch as were were usually busy and “almost there”. Then we planned a full dinner and enjoyed with a good appetite. We didn’t bring cookies or desserts to speak of. We told ourselves, if we want cookies, we have to make them. 

        Cute Little Barges  - I just have to have one of these!

     

    Don't do this... I never thought I'd actually see this, but here is a boat tied up to a navigation daymarker on Cape Fear River, NC. Nobody I know (I hope). Tying up can obstruct the marker from other boats, so dangerous to other boats (not to mention risking damage to the aid). This boater is fishing, not even an emergency. Everyone should have an anchor to stop in an emergency.

First time seeing Pelicans! There is never just one.

We docked at the Holden Beach, NC town dock on the ICW side. Just room for 2 or 3 boats.

Pretty flower park near the bridge over the ICW

We walked down the road, across to the beach on the ocean side. This was the only beach we walked on. We had other opportunities to get the dinghy out and find a beach at different places, but we decided to do other things and wait for the Florida and Bahamas beaches.

“A Walk on the Beach” Holden Beach NC, a barrier island, primarily residential, lots of houses to rent. Halfway between Wilmington and 

Myrtle Beach, is a sea turtle habitat.

We survived “The Rock Pile” twice - Between MM 349 and 352. Instructions say to stay in the middle after you make sure no barge traffic will be met in this section. Of course we planned to cross this section at high tide -so no biggy : )

“Is this Normal?” Swimmers by the bridge Nov 16. Yes there were 2 swimmers in the water, seemingly training, having a good time. We tried to stay away from them while circling for a bridge to open. We warned the bridge tender about the swimmers and that they were headed under the bridge, meaning that it might be dangerous for a boat AND them to go under together. He said "yes, this is normal." Timing worked out after all. The swimmers made it to their vehicle at the ramp on the other side of the bridge.

Being Thankful. Nice Thanksgiving Dinner offered by Dowry Creek Marina. Was nice of the owners to offer dinner to all the slipholders and friends at the restaurant on the property. They pretty much closed the restaurant and planned a great meal with conversation for all. We all gave donations to help out.

This trip down the ICW and back PLUS the trip to Cape Cod from Delaware in 2023 adds up to over 2000 miles this year. We've sailed about 7000 miles together on Justice in the last few years.