Oriental NC to Norfolk VA

We left Oriental on Thursday 5/16 headed to Dowry Creek Marina in Belhaven NC.  It was a nice marina with a restaurant and pool! 

Friday morning we left Dowry making our way to the Alligator River Anchorage NC.  We had weather coming in and unfortunately the marina at Alligator River had no room and we had to take an anchorage.   

We made it through the night with just a little rain....I love rainbows in the morning!

We landed at our next stop where we had a reservation in Coinjock at the Coinjock Marina.  We got in before noon and there were only a few boats....by dinner time, the wall was full and many boats had to raft off each other.  

This stop is well known for the marina restaurant and it's fresh seafood and the famous 32oz prime rib!  If you want prime rib, it is highly recommended that you reserve your portion early.  I made sure my petite cut of 13oz was reserved!  We had enough prime rib left over we had steak and eggs for breakfast the next morning and a mini prime rib dinner!

Sunday 5/19 we departed Coinjock and arrived at Waterside Marina in Norfolk VA.  We spent 3 nights (and my birthday) right in the center of the entertainment district in Norfolk.  The Waterside area was hosting an event with live music and vendors when we arrived but the area was pretty quiet Monday and Tuesday.  We had dinner at Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint.....one of the best burger and fries we have ever had!  So good!  We also took advantage of the free shuttle to the grocery store for provisions and worked on some boat projects.  

Coming into Norfolk....a big military presence!

Waterside Marina. 

Due to the bridge collapse in Baltimore, Carnival had opened temporary terminal in Norfolk.  The Carnival Pride was in port boarding passengers.  When the ship left port it came right up to the marina and turned around!  

Exploring Norfolk....

We had a great time in Norfolk!

 

Charleston SC to Oriental NC

Leaving Charleston Friday 5/10 was a little gray and drizzly.  We went for about 4 1/2 hours and anchored in Awendaw Creek.  There was nothing as far as the eye could see but water and grass, except for an old boat wreck.  It was so peaceful and calm and luckily there was a boat ramp close by for us to take Roxie to land.  

Saturday morning was cool, clear and bright without humidity.  Beautiful!  We made our way to Georgetown and we anchored in the mouth of the Sampit River, dropped the dingy and took Roxie into town to explore.  Plenty of free day dockage on the Harbor Walk.  

We picked up some treats from the Indigo Bakery and went to dinner later that afternoon at Buzz's Roost.  

Reminds me of walking in Frontier Trail at Cedar Point! 

Sunday morning 5/12, Mother's Day we started making our way to Myrtle Beach.  We stayed at the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club where we celebrated Mother's Day going to the Officers Club for dinner.  I had lobster ravioli with seafood bisque and Bill had the seafood basket.  Yummy! 

The next morning we untiled the lines in Myrtle Beach SC and tied up for the night in another marina in Southport NC.  A new state and two marina stops in a row!!  We stayed at the Morningstar Southport Marina.  It was a nice marina with a great dog park!

Robert and Kay are well known AGLCA harbor hosts.  Robert came down to the boat to introduce himself and invited us to his home for a little porch time at 5.  This lovely couple does this with loopers passing through.  We also met Captain Jimmy who grew up in this town fishing these waters as a commercial fisherman.  It was so fun meeting these folks and hearing their stories of this lovely community and past travels.    

This was the view from the porch....We could have set there all evening!

After our visit we walked into town for dinner at the highly recommended "Provisions" and we weren't disappointed!  The seafood was so fresh!  It was a casual joint where you order as you come in, help yourself to drinks and make your way out to the patio where they bring your order to the table.  After eating, you just go up to the cashier and give them your name, they ask you what you got to drink and she rings it up for you.  Still the good ol' honor system.   

We made our way to Mile Hammock Bay Anchorage located just off of Camp Lejeune. It was a long day going 64 miles.  There was a boat ramp located in the anchorage, but access not permitted.  We had to take Roxie to a beach on the other side of the river for her potty break.

We left early Wednesday morning and started our second long day of 65 miles to Oriental. We had stayed there when we brought Cheers up from Stuart in 2020.  We had hoped we could score a dock, but we ended up anchored out.  

There were storms headed our way so it was just a quick trip to town for Roxie and dinner on the boat.  Good for us, we just got a little rain. 😌

Thursday morning was cool and sunny! Back into town for a potty break!

The town dock even has a loaner bike!

Savannah to Charleston SC

Tuesday morning 5/7 we left Savannah, crossed into South Carolina, passing Hilton Head on our way to Beaufort, SC.  

We settled into the anchorage about 2:30, dropped the dingy and towed the paddleboard over to the beach.  Roxie had her first ride on the paddleboard and loved it.  After we got back and everyone had a shower, including Roxie, we made our way into town for dinner.  The courtesy docks were located right in the middle of town and was adjacent to a really nice park.  We ended up having dinner at Hearth Woodfired Pizza.  It was delish!

The next morning we had to wait until 9:30 for the bridge opening before we could move on.  Bill took Roxie into town for a nice walk.  

This is a swing bridge...we haven't seen one of these for a long time!

There are so many dolphins!  We have seen more dolphins in GA and SC than we have seen anywhere else!

More low country......

Wednesday we had a 8 hour ride to the Sylvan Shores anchorage.  Not a whole lot here, so we had to take Roxie to the shore which was muddy of course.  We did get to see millions of tiny crabs running from us.  It took a few minutes for Roxie to see them but when she did she chased them!

The crabs were super fast and they are hard to see in the picture but they are along the edge of the grass climbing up the little hill......they are the shiny things in the middle.    

Our ride on Thursday was only an hour and a half and we docked in Charleston at 10am at Safe Harbor City Marina.  Unfortunately they only had availability for us to stay one night....so we took full advantage of access to water, electric and shuttle to Publix.  

The dock at the marina has a "Mega Dock"....this thing is over a quarter mile long!

Friday morning we had to wait for a pump out that didn't happen until 11.  If we would have known we would have gone into town instead of waiting on the boat....oh well.   We got a couple more chores completed while we waited.  Only wished we could have had time to explore Charleston....we definitely want to come back and stay awhile.