A cool night of rain and lightning storm made it finally possible to turn off the air conditioner, what a relief! We dined at a dockside restaurant, quite nice.

We pulled away around 9am & headed north. The waterway is lined with a mix of beautiful grand mansions with huge lawns sloping down to the water's edge,usually with a few Adirondak chairs, to nice smaller homes with docks & an assortment of water toys, to trailers. Lots of pelicans, and what I think are kitty hawks, nesting atop channel markers, dot the shores, and we've even seen a couple of dolphins.

Part of today's ICW went through Camp Lejuene -- the book says not to drop an anchor because of possible unexploded ordinance.

Tonight we've stopped at Dudley's Marina in Swansboro, NC -- quite a bit simpler than last night's dock, but just fine.

HOTTER THAN BLAZES!!!

It's well over 100 here in North Carolina -- nothing like the cool Pacific coast. The work on the Skeeter was not completed until this morning, but that left us time to visit & sight-see with Lynn's cousins, David & Linda Cox, who were kind enough to drive out from Harrisburg, near Concord. Downtown Historic Wilmington is lovely, with lots of Civil War era buildings well-preserved, & cobblestone streets.

We pulled out of the Marina by 12:30 & headed back to the Intracoastal Waterway. Lots of pelicans leading the way. At one point the water was only 4' deep, setting off alarms, but we passed safely towards Carolina beach & my cousins waving us on from a jetty.

Out of the wind, temperatures soared, making the beautiful scenery hard to appreciate ... All we could think of was that the stately waterfront homes all probably had AIR COQNDITIONING!

We've parked for tonight at Wrightsville Beach Marina -- pricey, but the AC & WiFi are running! David, Linda & Tom are meeting us for dinner tonight. The salon has cooled down about 20 glorious degrees, & we're contemplating a dip in the marina's pool!http://wrightsvillebeachmarina.com/

Still in Wilmington

Yesterday the good crew went into town in the dingy dingey? little boat, and toured the mighty battleship North Carolina after a good lunch at some brewpub. Then back to the big boat & beer breaks etc.then Greg jammed a splinter into his foot & a successful operation by Bill saved the day. Today after a short bike ride to the "largest Christmas tree in America" we'll do some last minute cleaning & maint. issues (boring- I'm sorry) . then another beer break , wine with dinner & an occasional Margareta. Till next time GRD.

Wilminton North Carolina

Were in our final resting place for this leg of the journey, and I know this crumby internet service will kick me off any second now. So I'm going to post it & add to it later

Myrtle Beach (out skirts)

The crew & ship made landfall in the Myrtle Beach area today. The run was a good one as it started fairly early, narrow & swampy. A lot of mossy bald cypress right at the margins of our river. Sea Eagles, swifts, fish jumping, birds diving.. Then a bunch of jetskis & a huge mall to end the run. wow the culture shock. But two $3.00 house margaritas evened things out. Bill has given up on television and is resorting to crossword puzzles in his stateroom. (unfortunately we have to crawl into our respective staterooms, they are that small) I'm ready to put Diana Krall in the player & hit the sack too, more next time,tomorrow is the end of the first portion of the adventure, we will have to find a place to leave our baby for a month. Hopefully the next adventure of the Skeeter there'l be a woman aboard.. anyone know a willing woman???  
respectfully submitted 2nd mate: GRD

Georgetown

No not Washington, South Carolina. a little burg right on the intracoastal waterway. In a marina (we're getting soft) had a beer with a guy who cut off half of his right hand (or was it left) and a forgettable dinner rice-chicken-broccoli-etc. the gallo was the high point.. These villages are full of plagues explaining what happened in1778 but we just can't get excited about it..Tomorrow Myrtle beach or environs see you then.

Mclellanville S.C.

Yep, the good ship skeeter made it to the Carolina's in great shape. Wm & I are just settling down tied to an old broken down dock alongside funky derelict shrimpers (the boat is actually, not us) after a great dinner in the only restaurant in town, a 1/2 mile walk down the prettiest dirt lane with those HUGE oaks streaming with Spanish moss. A great little town, very quiet, a few Churches, lots of places for sale. Tonight is cantina night  $2.00 beers & a great soft taco for me and Wm has the burrito, and alas we both fell in love with the waitress.. well it's about time for bed, Bill makes me get up early, curse him.. A couple of nights ago we were anchored out in Beaufort  and I could hear porpoises breathing, kind of poof poof while they cruised past, very cool ! While we cruise along we are always watching the pelicans diving and the shear waters and big ol fish eagles its great sport..well more later ...