June 11, 2012 Arrival to Wilmington, NC

Sunday June 10, 2012

Arrangements were made to be picked up by my Mom and Dad and my best friend Marion, who brought her truck to assist in transporting things back to my home.  My favorite niece, Jennifer was also there with her friend.  Jennifer spent the past week with her Grandma and Pop Pop.  It is going to be an adjustment, I knew, working our way back into civilization.  We got 4 cart loads off Casa Mare and the girls headed to the cars as Fred and Dad took to boat to an anchorage in Banks Channel.  Mom had dinner going and by the time we got to their house Jim and Linda had come in to pick up Jennifer.  Fred and Dad came up the creek in the dinghy, smiling away, and it was the first time in a very long time Dad had been on the creek since he sold all his boats.  It was great to see everyone again. 

I don’t look at this as the end of a great adventure, only the next chapter in our life adventure together.  Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream, threatening myself to pinch myself.  I am so happy now, I have a wonderful man in my life, I have gone through many thoughts of where I was a few years ago and how much I have grown since then.  It took all of that to get here, to find Fred and to learn that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and his plan for me was six months in a “Sea Cradle” as he nurtured me through the journeys of growth, teaching me to trust him, to let go and let God.  I truly believe that.  It is never the end, just another beginning each day I open my eyes.  My sails are always up, ready to be filled with God’s glorious gifts waiting for me.  Full sails and following seas, and when things are not comfortable, I will just adjust the sails keeping them full of life and wonder.  Be silent and listen.  May your sails be filled with beautiful whispers of wind, laced with the awesomeness of God’s plan for your destiny. 

June 10, 2012 Southport, North Carolina

Saturday June 10, 2012

It was a short sail but a good one, motor sailing actually, from Now River Inlet to Southport, NC.  I had never seen Bald Head Island so close as the only way to get there was by boat.  They don’t even have cars on the heavily residential island,  only to get from place to place by golf cart.  Life must be quiet on Bald Head Island.  Even the light house, which happens to be one of my favorites in appearance in North Carolina, stands silent, her last beam of light many years ago.  Coming into port was quite a sight.  Sail boats were all around us, fishing boats screaming by, reminding me of how we have choices of how fast life can pass us by.  I choose the wind in my sails.  Coming into port, one of those speeding boats hooked my line that was trailing behind us.  “You caught a fish” Fred said.  It was a huge one, taking the line from behind us to the port side working it’s way past us.  “Wow”, I thought, this is by far the fastest biggest fish I caught.  I jumped up and grabbed the line and before I knew it, it had burned 4 stripes on my hand from the friction of the speed of the line running through my hand.  I quickly let go and realized that speeding boat had snagged my line.  I sat back and let it take the line, knowing it would not be long until all the line was out and it would break.  It did, leaving me a little bit of line as a reminder how fast life can get away from us, even in the quiet moments.  The speeding boat choked a bit and then carried on it way, and I was glad I didn’t have another fish to clean in the cockpit because the strength of what I thought I caught could have made a mess on the boat during the cleaning process.  Southport is a favorite little sea port of mine, old and lots of fishing boats.  It is easy to see where their survival came from years gone by.  Fishing boats at every rickety dock dotted here and there by an occasional new recreational vessel. Southport is a quiet sleepy town, live oaks everywhere, old streets and southern homes lining thestreets.  Although preservation is not active in Southport, NC that I can see, the residents take great pride in maintaining it’s image, caring for the landscapes as well as the homes, all seeming to be from years gone by.  Fred knew such an owner of one f these homes on the waterfront so we stopped and sat on their porch, sifting the past of memories they still embraced.  His friend had passed 6 months ago today but his wife has planned to live out the rest of her life in the old home on the waterfront they worked so hard to preserve, putting their heart and soul in the property.  It was a beautiful view from the slanting old wooden porch, facing the marsh grasses only to be separated by a small road, mostly frequented by foot although there were the occasional auto passing by here and there.  I could see why she couldn’t leave.  I had a hard time leaving that beautiful view myself.  I had to remind myself that Fred and I have this every day from the boat, being careful not to go in the wanting mode and staying grateful for what I did have.  God gives us what he wants us to have, and I certainly feel blessed just having Fred in my life.  The shrimp boat had just arrived the night before and fresh shrimp was going for $3.00 a pound.  I am allergic to shrimp and Fred decided not to go for any, taking me for a walk and a cup of black cherry ice cream instead.  We walked downtown, a pretty little town and then later on had dinner at the Provision Company Restaurant.  Not surprised the menu was full of seafood entrees I found a hamburger and fries, happy I could have something to eat.   We walked that off by going to the big marina and walking the finger docks, looking at all the boats.  We met a couple and had a long chat with them.  They are taking Montana Sky to Wilmington to be worked on and return to their home state.  Their trip for the year is coming to an end also.  Back to the boat as we watched our last sunset and we watched a movie.  Tomorrow is a big day, a last for this adventure and a new beginning to the next.  I can’t say this enough...God is so good!

June 8, 2012 Little River, South Carolina

Friday June , 2012

I can almost smell Wilmington and hear her calling me.  What a wonderful day on the intracoastal waterway.  Fred said in his opinion this was the most beautiful part of the ICW.  I agree.  We entered the “swamp” area with cypress trees lining the muddy banks with turtles on nearly every log exposed out of the water, water foul playing across the deep brown surface of the tannin colored waters, quickly reminding me that there are rich soils on her banks, tinting her with coffee colored liquid from the rich decay.  I am sure these waters are rich with nutrients lending a perfect breeding grounds for fish and wildlife.  It is easy to forget just a few yards away, there are concrete roads, creating links from one sleepy town to another.  The serenity is mesmerizing as I slipped into a life I seldom took notice to before I started this trip, not this much in depth anyway.  The day was laid back, I finished my book, took pictures and just enjoyed the scenery, reflecting on how I began this trip and not believing it is almost over.  I say that but it’s not true.  Since I met Fred, my whole life has changed, a new beginning, as he has taught me that every day is a beginning and an adventure.  I have not taken a single moment of this trip for granted, I am not sad to return to Wilmington, and I know we will be leaving again for another adventure just as special as this one.  Tried to find a place to tie up in Little River and have dinner but there was nothing available so we continued on.  We stopped in Calabash, tied up at an empty space and ran up the hill to get a bite to eat at Captain Nance’s.  The food was okay, nothing special but the experience was.  We caught ourselves laughing as I quickly brushed my hair and Fred brushed his as well as put his teeth in.  We were going out to eat.  You would have thought we were going to a fancy restaurant but it was a fish house.  After dinner we left the dock and motored to the Little River Inlet where we will set sail outside tomorrow to Southport, North Carolina.  From there we plan to take the ICW to Wilmington, where we will disembark and settle down for the summer.

June 7, 2012 ICW

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Happy Birthday to my brother Don!  Sunny is the forecast and it started out that way, as promised.  Fred called the bridge for their opening schedule and we had 2 hours until their 9:00 opening.  We went ahead and shoved off, taking our time going by the Charleston Battery, Fort Sumter and enjoying the vast open waters, unlike the intracoastal waterway we have spent the past few days on.  After we were through the bridge, it became a variety of marsh grasses, small islands, waterfront homes and boats left on the shored, a reminder that Hurricane Hugo passed through here years ago.  Some had never recovered from the Cat 5 hurricane that made it’s way as far as Charlotte, North Carolina from these shores.  Not a storm to be in even in today’s standards of shelters.  Like the sea, Hurricanes are very powerful and not one to underestimate.  I have seen the devastation of a Cat 3 and I would even run from that one.  We hope to get to Georgetown.  The trip is a lazy but driven one.  It gave me the opportunity to straighten up a bit and write some.  What am I to do with all this time after I get home?  Life is simple on a boat, a bit intimidating at times, but mostly relaxing.  I have needed this time to regroup my life and it worked.  I am so grounded and comfortable in my own skin.  There is not much I couldn’t take on now.  This trip has strengthened me in a way I never knew I had in myself.  I have never been so happy in my life. 

June 6, 2012 Charleston, South Carolina

Wednesday June 6, 2012

The day was wet and I mean WET as in dripping!  Cold had worked it’s way to the south in June and I thought heat on the boat would serve it justice.  By the time we poked out heads out the companion way, we found we were the only ones left in this marshy quiet anchorage.  The foggy mist hovered over the marsh grass, making it a good day to just crawl back in bed and sleep the way away.  But, we had an agenda and we were sticking to it.  I brewed a pot of fresh coffee and lit a candle, hoping those two combined would warm the cabin up a little.  Neither of us were anxious to go, Fred laid down on the settee to continue, what it seemed like, his morning oversleep.  I finally asked him if we were going anywhere, although I knew he didn’t want to go out in the cold dreary morning, and asked him how long it took to get to Charleston from there.  “Three hours” which pleased me tremendously.  Who wanted to be topside all day in this mess.  It continued to rain and the window never came to pull anchor so Fred put on an all weather jacket, zipped up tight and said I am going up sweetie, you just stay down here and stay dry.  I kept him full of coffee and morning snacks, happy to be dry until we arrived in Charleston City Marina.  I read along the way, trying to finish my book before we got home, knowing I would not complete the reading once we arrived in Wilmington, not for awhile anyway.

I called my cousin and she came to the marina.  The marina is so big, we had a golf cart bring her to the boat.  We were two boats short of being the farthest boat from the office.  It seemed a mile away but I know it wasn’t.  We went to Smokey Oaks restaurant for dinner and ordered a platter to be shared but all of us.  On it there was a rack of ribs, 1/2 chicken, smoked sausage, pulled pork, beef brisket, fried okra, mac and cheese, collard greens, corn muffins and friend onion rings.  We stuffed ourselves on that southern BBQ feast and sent three containers of food home with Wanda.  It was great getting caught up on family news and sharing our childhood memories, smiling and laughing the whole evening.  Fred passed the test with her, she likes him.  When someone comes into the family, they need to be checked out by everyone when possible.  He did good!  He spent the evening listening and laughing, poor guy got a few words in between our breaths.  Fred really likes our family, ones he has so far had the opportunity to meet anyway.  We are all crazy and he fits!  Wanda drove us around Charleston showing us her work and important places in her life as we continued our t way chat, leaving Fred to mind the road from the passenger seat.  One of the highlights was the place my Dad was stationed when he dated my Mom.  That was a treat, and again, brought me back to times gone by.  We also went to a gardens, flowing with perennials and annuals, going on forever it seemed.  The sun was setting and we make it back to the boat.  I am not sure what time Wanda left the Casa Mare’ but she insisted on walking back alone, in case there was someone looking for a great gal on the dock somewhere between us and her car.  I need to call her to see if she saw any prospects.  (Just kidding)

This will be our last dockage until we arrive in Wilmington, and that may be an anchoring also, since we have yet to find a place for Casa Mare’ except Masonboro Yacht Club.  We are hoping to find something closer to my home.  Until then, we may just anchor out and dink it to Mom and Dad’s on Howe’s Creek.  If anyone hears of anything that will accommodate a sailboat with a 5 foot draft, call me.

3 1/2 more days!  “Are we there yet?”

June 5, 2012 Atlantic overnight sail to Charleston

Tuesday June 5, 1012

Although we planned to leave later in the morning, the dawn was fresh and the urge to move on was high.  We cast the lines and were on our way by about 8 am or so.  I laid in the cockpit reading as Fred took the helm.  By lunch time I dug around the refer and pulled out some leftover chicken, fried mushrooms and Mozzarella cheese sticks and gulped it down with a Root Beer.  The Intracoastal Waterway was as smooth as glass, meandering all over the place like a snake from one side to another.  The lime green marsh grass was beautiful reflecting on the river with the dark oaks separating it from the Carolina Blue sky.  What a sight.  Dolphin played in the waters all the way, lazily coming to the surface for a breath of air.  Serenity was everywhere and it made it hard for me to concentrate on the book.  I finally put it down and took pictures, enjoying my Mothers back yard when she way younger.  I wondered why anyone would leave here but I soon knew, in order to grow, we must move along in life.  I felt like I did a full circle for my Mom yesterday.  She is a great southern lady and a beautiful Mom!  I am anxious to see them now and reality hit me that Sunday may be the day to see them again.  Excitement grew and I didn’t want to stop last night, anticipating our arrival on Sunday, if we don’t run into any hitches along the way.  Another reason Sunday is exciting is that there is another bonus to our arrival on that day.  Jennifer, my favorite niece, is staying with my parents until then, when Jim and Linda will be in Wilmington to pick her up and take her back to Apex, NC.  So...I get to see them also.  I want to get there early, although it will probably be in the afternoon.  No matter what plans are made on a sail boat, I have come to realize we are not in control of the timing, anywhere!  This has taught me patience and helped me slow down in life and enjoy what I have at that given moment.  As we approached our anchorage, even though I had no idea where it was, I got the feeling we were near.  I woke up Fred, who was taking a nap below and old him I thought we may be near our destination for the day because it was close to 5:00 in the evening.  Our anchorage was in sight, among the meandering marsh grasses on what looked like a creek very similar to my parents back yard on Howe’s Creek in Wilmington.  Home was near, I could feel it.  I gave Fred the helm and with excitement of chatter, completely distracted him, bringing us on a shoal.  This time, I knew we had 3 hours of daylight and we were out of the waterway so if at worse, we could ride out the tides.  Within minutes he had us off and anchor set.  Dinner was pasta with diced tomatoes, and basil pesto, made by Denise Aiken finished with a romaine salad with tomatoes.  I could have eaten more it was so good.  Thanks Denise for the delicious pesto.  I want that recipe along with the squash casserole we had the other night.  Yummmmm!

We watched a movie after the day slipped behind the horizon and I made the last two mini bags of microwave popcorn.  We ran out of propane while I made the spaghetti.  Perfect timing.  Tomorrow we are eating out and then there are 3 days to run the propane off the small grill tanks.  We couldn’t have timed that better.  We also have the grill.  Life on the water is wonderful.  I can’t wait to regroup and do it again!

June 4, 2012 Beaufort South Carolina

Monday June 4, 2012

Don’t we all like gifts?  We found out that if we stay here for 2 days we get a day free at the Marina, so we inquired about it and sure enough, so we stayed an extra day.  That gave us time to see Beaufort, which were our plans to do yesterday until Stasia (the tramp cat) decided to roam the docks for who knows what.  I told her she was not allow to date until she was through menopause but she didn't listen so now she is grounded, big time.  Just call her the closet cat until she is allowed out when she gets home.  Kids!!!

This morning we went to Beaufort and saw the town.  First we walked the beautiful water front, wow, they did a fantastic job designing that one.  I have never seen so many benches, tables and chairs, inviting anyone to join them for the fantastic view of the salt marsh sprinkled with sail boats, birds and oyster beds.  It was absolutely heavenly.  Fred took me to a little restaurant called Plum’s where he indulged in a fish sandwich and I a fried green tomato BLT.  It was to die for.  Who would have thought?  Now I can’t wait to make them at home since fried green tomatoes are right up there with boiled peanuts, collard greens, fat back and fried chicken...the really crusty kind.  Mercy I love southern food!  The only thing I don’t do are chitlins’ and brains & eggs.   My grandma used to have a big ole pot of boiled peanuts cooking when we came to visit.  It was a race to get out of the car, give the appropriate squeeze my neck hugs and run to the kitchen for those boiled peanuts.  My Mom grew up in Adams Run, in a big old house with creaky boards when walked on.  Grandma used to sit in a rocking chair and just tell stories as her chair creaked the wooden boards on the slanted gray porch.  Chickens would run around, it smelled country!  They had an outhouse, (pea pots inside for night time use), boiled the water for baths and farmed for food.  It is a great memory and I am glad I had the opportunity to enjoy it as well as all my Aunts, Uncles and cousins on my Mom’s side.  My grandma Webster could cook up a mess of food and if one left the table hungry, shame on them!  Oh those southern days and nights at Grandma and Granddad’s.  The house is gone now, history and age took it away, but the memories will last forever.  That was good country living!  Adam’s run is not far from here, it would have been nice to see it again but there will be other opportunities in the future as we plan to come back through here another time on another trip. South Carolina Low Country, dripping with southern hospitality!

Fred treated me to a horse drawn carriage ride, a perfect way to see the town as well as listen to the history of Beaufort.  The old homes were surrounded with live oak trees, draped with Spanish moss like they were in a winter fairy land.  Huge magnolia trees were in bloom with saucer sized magnolia blooms and the fragrance of gardenias and Confederate jasmine filled the air as we were carried through the streets of Beaufort.  It was hard not to understand the early days lifestyle as Beaufort literally mesmerized me while I sat there on the seat, soaking in the history to the clopping sound of horse hooves.  Sometimes I think I was born too late.  I love that style of living!  I know it was hard but I also know it was honest!  I am glad I have ancestors from the South.  I am proud to be who I am!

We came back to the boat, I made a few phone calls and we went to the yacht club for dinner.  I got the deck cleaned hosed off before the sun went down and the inside of Casa Mare’ ready to cast off tomorrow morning.  I believe Charleston is our next stop to see my dear cousin Wanda and Aunt Ginny, who happens to be younger than me and Uncle John.  It’s hard to call her Aunt Ginny but my parents taught me respect so here I will call her Aunt Ginny and Uncle John.  When I see them???...It will be Ginny and John!  (((wink))). 

All I can say is that is good to put a mane with a face, and Beaufort, (pronounced like ‘Beau’tiful) South Carolina is not pronounced the same as Beaufort, (pronounced like ‘Bow’ Tie) North Carolina, and they even look similar, but they are not the same.  Almost twin cities in two different states.  I love them both and now I can say, I have been to both.  I would claim either for my home if I had the chance, as I love them both.  But my real home is in Wilmington, North Carolina, which I don’t plan to give up!  But I really claim my heritage to come from The Carolina’s hence, Carolina Girl.