Port-A-Gee

Wed, 4/19/23 - MY 60TH BIRTHDAY! -  Columbia, NC to Elizabeth City, NC (29.7nm). I don't see many sunrises, so I lingered for a couple of minutes to welcome the day and reflect on my gratitude for my mental and physical health as I begin my 7th decade. All of the Alligator River guests, were underway by 7:30 a.m. hoping to take advantage of the morning calm seas to cross Albermarle Sound, which has a reputation for being "sporty". One hour in, and land was barely visible behind us, and not at all in front of us. Before long, we were churning around in confused seas. What began as 2' swells for the west, soon gave way to 1' waves from the north.  Then, the winds shifted, and we had 2' waves from the north Port-A-Gee got a good dousing of brackish water. Before heading into Albemarle, a decision has to be made about which northern route to take: Virgina Cut up the North River and parallel with the Atlantic Ocean; or The Pasquotank River towards the Dismal Swamp.

Fri. 4/7/23, (Good Friday) - Charleston, SC to Murrells Inlet, SC (Wacca Wache Marina) (73nm) . Due to inclement weather forecasted for the weekend, most of the Loopers in Charleston headed North and snatched up all of the slips in Georgetown. We cruised another 15 miles to Murrells Inlet. We finally got a couple of dolphins playing in our wake! It was a perfect day for a long cruise.  The topography was noticeably different; marshlands gave way to lush, broadleaf trees and pines, and lots of Cypress trees wading among their unique "knees". 3 dockhands pulled us in against the current and then directed us to the protected basin behind the marina to ride out the gale winds. As promised, the wind and cold arrived, so we were glad to be hunkered down in our protected dock behind Wacca Wache Marina. Wacca Wache - I like saying that! It is derived from the language of the Waccamaw Indians, meaning "Happy, Happy"! This stop will always be remembered for its 1-1/2 day delu

Mon, 3/27 - Hilton Head Island, SC to South Beaufort Anchorage, SC (14.9nm) . We shortened our stay on Hilton Head Island and opted for a beautiful anchorage in Beaufort, SC. First, we have to cross Port Royal Sound, one of the largest openings to the Ocean we've seen.  We were thankful for the calm seas and gorgeous sun sparkling off the water.  It was breathtaking - my camera lens can't fully capture it. Port Royal Sound marks 1/2 way of our Loop - Racine, WI to Hilton Head Island, SC - only 3,000 more miles to go! Tues, 3/28 - South Beaufort Anchorage to Lady's Island Marina (3.1nm) .  We arose to cloudy skies in a quiet anchorage, so we decided to just hang out and enjoy the  setting.  Also, save Cap some trouble by arriving at slack tide - win/win. Aaron greeted us at the dock and helped us tie up - he could not have been nicer.  Gotta love that southern hospitality! Aaron gave us the lay of the land, showers, laundry, codes, historical sites in the area, restaurants .