ICW Mile 205 to 716.5 Morehead City, North Carolina to Fernandina, Florida

"Noel" moves off the coast of North Carolina...and heads north.

Friday, November 2nd, we "hunkered down" and awaited the arrival "Noel"...Friends from Chatham, Betty Lou and Malcolm 'M', with a home up the Neuse River, in New Bern, N.C., picked us up for dinner in Oriental.

Saturday, November 3rd, after a stormy night tied up to the fixed dock, at Whittaker Pointe Marina, (with all the lines and fenders we had and multiple visits during the night to adjust lines) the high winds (40 - 50 Kts) subsided to 20 kts and we headed south to Morehead City and the Dockside Marina. Beaufort/Morehead City, on the coast was hit hard (50-70kts) so staying in Oriental was a good decision. "Noel" headed north to visit New England and Cape Cod...

ICW mile "205"

Sunday, November 4th, as we left Beaufort and Morehead City, we entered Bouge Sound, the waters separating the coast of North Carolina and the barrier islands. Long low marshes, fish piers and lots of company as other "Snow Birds" joined the parade south. Interesting folks from as far north as Prince Edward Island, Montreal, Quebec and the mid west. On to a small Harbour Village Marina in Topsail, N.C.

ICW mile "267"

Monday, November 5th, on to the Cape Fear River N.C. and the Southport Marina. The weather turned cooler, 40's in the evenings and 60's during the day, but we have been lucky with clear blue sky's and a light North Easterly wind. The Captains and second mates dined on Oysters Rockefeller and fabulous fish dinners at a local hot spot.

ICW mile "309"

Tuesday, November 6th, we push on to north of Charleston through the forested ICW to Osprey Marina, on the Wiccamaw River, South Carolina, where Mrs. Mud negotiated a visit to the local supermarket to fill the larder...The weather remained "cool" during the evenings and we took to the sleeping bags and the propane stoves for extra warmth. I thought we were in the south.... maybe Georgia will be warmer... Blue sky's and light winds continued. Passed through Myrtle Beach numerous golf courses and more expensive summer homes condos and hotels.

ICW mile "373"

Wednesday, November 7th, we arrived (late) at the Isle of Palms Marina. We rushed to make the 6pm bridge opening, (at 5:30 pm there was a little light, at 6pm it was totally black). After a 12 hour day, during which Capt. Mud lived up to his name, he went hard aground and had to be keged off and towed off a bar. A passing Canadian Samaritan, who quickly launched his dingy "Boat 2 Go" as Malabar towed. No one thought to take pictures. Everything on board Heritage was rearranged!

ICW mile "456"

Thursday, November 8th, Downtown Marina, our last stop in South Carolina,..Beaufort South Carolina...spelled the same as Beaufort North Carolina...but pronounced differently..ask the "locals". Getting into "grits and biscuits" country. Very friendly folks. The first mates are enjoying the local galleries and shops. River Dolphins appear often to follow the boats... a fascinating sight.

ICW mile "536"

Friday, November 9th, passing the cemetery from "Midnight in the Garden of Evil" we tie up at Thunderbolt Marina. Thunderbolt Georgia, once the playground of Savannah, now a sleepy little burb. Their claim to fame, morning newspapers delivered with a box of Krispy Kremes. We also got "local information" about negotiating Hell Gate and the numerous narrows. Following a winding series of channels we pass Johnny Mercer's "Moon River" as well as the Vernon, Ogeechee, and South Newport Rivers.


ICW mile "583

Saturday, November10th, we traverse the wider St. Catherine and Sapelo sounds. This night we anchor up the Duplin River, Georgia. The night sky is brilliant with millions of stars as we are in the middle of nowhere..no towns or cities within 50 miles and ambient light. Shrimp boats are everywhere, as they drag their nets through the rivers and sounds. Interesting to see them anchored in the middle of marshes and along the banks. Local fisherman, spin casting and commerical fisherman working the fish and crap traps.

ICW mile "649"

Sunday, November 11th, as we head out for Florida in the morning we greet a mooring neighbor headed out into the Atlantic toward Jacksonville inlet. We take the opportunity to join him and sail the "outside" route to St. Mary's/Fernandina inlet. We hit the high seas out Doboy Sound, passing inlets at Altamaha, St. Simons and St. Andrew ... literally rolling into Fernandina, Florida. North East winds 10 to 15 kts, not the problem...but seas, sometimes 5 to 7 feet, make it a "bumpy" ride, (life jackets and tethers), especially as we roll in to St Mary's inlet. ( no soup and sandwiches for lunch, it's whatever snacks we can snatch from the galley on the few trips below).

But the good news ..it's Florida and it's warm.

ICW mile "716"

Florida. At last. Two hundred and fifty miles to go!!!