05/30/2012 AND 0531/2012 SOUTH CAROLINA

05/30/2012 WEDNESDAY         NORTH CAROLINA, AT LAST

41 NM FROM MYRTLE BEACH TO SOUTHPORT MARINA (910-457-5710) IN SOUTHPORT, NC

About 3:00 AM the rain arrived in full force, bringing a good shower before easing off and continuing it northerly path.  Quest pulled out around 8:00 under calm but drizzly conditions.  The fishermen and crabbers were beginning to peek out but wary of the predicted gusts yet to come.  We did see gusts up to 35 during the day.

The last couple of years the colorful Adirondack chairs have been the rage on docks but this year we found these high chairs beginning to show up along the Carolina docks. 

THESE HIGH CHAIRS ARE THE NEW THINGS ON THE CAROLINA DOCKS

We arrived at the Southport Marina in North Carolina between gusts and managed to get tied up with the assistance of the dockmaster and other helpful boaters.  After giving the wind and rain a chance to dye down we strolled through the town of Southport.  Years ago, pre-Steven at UNCW, we drove through here and fell in love with its coastal charm.  We found a lovely house for sale and dreamed of breathing our life into it. It has since been purchased and tended with loving care.

SOUTHPORT HOME

Temporary construction was being done for filming on a Nicolas Sparks’ movie. His book, Safe Haven, is set in this small town.  Thankfully, when the shooting is done, the structure will be removed and the original setting restored.  Guess I will have to download this book to my Kindle!!!

CONSTRUCTION FOR TEMPORARY MOVIE SET FOR
NICHOLAS SPARKS MOVIE

05-31-2012 THURSDAY      ON TO THE WILMINGTON AREA

25 NM FROM SOUTHPORT TO SEAPATH MARINA (910-256-3747) IN WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

Thinking we were going to be up and out early this morning, when we did leave at 6:30 three of the transient boats had already left.  This was an early crowd!

The day dawned beautifully clear and void of the previous day’s gusty wind.  We were able to cross the wide Cape Fear River and enter Snow’s Cut under lovely, calm conditions.  Before long we were passing by the dock for our Southeast Harbor house.  And for those of you that know this area, yes, the blue bus is still nearby and the ugly geodesic house still stands.

DOCKS FOR HOMES IN SOUTHEAST HARBOR

THE INFAMOUS "BLUE BUS"

AND THEN THERE IS THE GEO-HOUSE

Seapath Marina will be our home for about a week while we drive to Pinehurst, NC to join the Colemans and the Ramages, go on to Charlotte for La Cage Aux Folles then back to Quest to prep her for the summer.  More on our land adventures later.