Monday May 16: Near Cape Fear!

It's been a good few days of traveling and we are now in North Carolina - within 5 miles of Cape Fear. Not sure why it is named that but I think I want to find out! The map left shows the days of travel since we left Florida on May 7th.

The spot we anchored the other night was peaceful in the morning but had a strong current and wind when we came in. The anchor held well - with Joysea's anchor picking up the tension when we swung 180 degrees so that worked well. We're still not used to these 5.5 foot tide changes and associated currents. When we left, the anchor was kind of mucky so Steve tried to clean Joysea's anchor but that didn't work so well so he have our hose to Joyce and she finished the job.

The waterway has changed dramatically again. It's now lined with trees and great wildlife. Saw 3 bald eagles and there are pelican sitting on every available space on the waterway markers is taken. Lots of crazy trees and zillions of osprey (look close - there are 2 osprey circled in the picture of the neat tree). We even saw turtles along the waterway for the first time!

We ended up with a convoy as we passed Georgetown yesterday as two more trawlers joined in our parade. All of us stayed at Osprey Marina which was very interesting as the marina is off of a very narrow channel and very little float space for boats waiting for fuel. Luckily we were first in so didn't have to wait in the main waterway for our turn. Tight fit at the marina for sure. We had to back out of the slip we were in just to get out as there was no room to turn around!

Sights along the way: a condo place (I assume) with fun chairs facing the waterway, a McDonalds on the street next the the waterway (this was near Myrtle Beach) but Steve wouldn't let me stop, and something I've never seen: aerial cars on a tram across the waterway for the golf course whose parking lot was on the right bank but whose course was on the left bank! Talk about a swanky course!

Our arrival at St. James Marina was uneventful with Steve doing his usual great job of getting us tied up properly. He has figured out a great way to get a rope around the poles using the boathook :-) This is basically a marina for a condo place - took a ride around to check it out and it was similar to Greenwood Village in Sagamore. Some sort of crazy big homes though. Tomorrow: bring on Cape Fear!!