Stats for May 14, 2019

Origin: Charleston Waterfront Marina

Stopover: N. Santee River Anchorage

Distance: 50.5 miles

Speed: 8.6 mph

Time on the Move: 5 hours and 50 minutes

We left Charleston mid-day after some soccer and a quick trip to the Fort Sumter Museum, so we figured we would just get as far as we could before dark and then find an anchorage.

Under way, Colin made his first attempt at making a basket out of pine needles. He watched a park ranger work on this task in St. Augustine and has been anxious to give it a try ever since. Pretty good for his first try!!

Once we settled into our anchorage, Mike fished with Tobin and Hayley, so Colin and I played Old for a while on the flybridge. I love having time for games and crafts on the boat! That is one of the best parts about this trip from a togetherness factor. There is sure a lot of togetherness!!

After dinner we watched a 1975 movie called “The Wilderness Family” that we picked up at the library dvd sale. It is about a family who leaves their busy lives behind to move to (you guessed it!!) the wilderness for a simpler way of life. We can totally relate to the family, though their lives are much different than ours. Everyone enjoyed the movie–can’t beat entertainment like that for $1!!

Stats for May 15, 2019

Stopover: Enterprise Passage

Distance: 45.1 miles

Speed: 7.5 mph

Time on the Move: 5 hours and 49 minutes

We were up and moving early the next morning because we wanted to stop in Georgetown, SC for a bit during the day. There was a day dock there that we planned to tie to so we could walk around town and check it out.

Just as we were getting close to Georgetown, Mike called me to the flybridge to tell me the Coast Guard was stopping all the boats going through the area and boarding them for safety inspections. Being stopped by the Coast Guard is something that is always a possibility, but has never happened to us. It is similar to a traffic checkpoint where police officers make sure you are following all safety rules. I quick ran through the boat and told the kids that the Coast Guard was probably going to come on our boat, but there were no problems. Then I bribed them to stay still and quiet while the coasties were onboard and made sure they had their life jackets on their laps so they wouldn’t accidentally walk upstairs without them. I also flushed the toilet and quick pulled the covers up over our bed. Nothing like unexpected company, right?!

Sure enough, we watched this guy head right towards us and knew our first boarding by the Coast Guard was imminent. We were a bit surprised because they didn’t hail us on the radio or state their intentions to come aboard, but the just circled behind us and pulled close to our port stern. I opened the sundeck door and they asked where the easiest place to come aboard was, but they were already stepping onto the swim platform. So I went downstairs to let them in.

Two men came aboard and at that point introduced themselves and said we were going to undergo a safety inspection. I took them to the sundeck where they ran through a list of about 15 things they needed to see like life jackets, fire extinguishers, ID and registrations, signage, etc. Sure enough, we passed their inspection no problem, though Mike did have to quick write out a waste management plan to satisfy that requirement. We were thankful for their stop but happy to see them go. It is a little overwhelming to have Mike to continue to drive the boat while I run around and find all these things to show them.

The kids were so funny. Hayley was right with me every step of the way, finding things they needed, but the boys just kept on watching their tv show, not even noticing these armed men in giant boots traipsing through their home.

After all that excitement, we were practically to the free dock in Georgetown. We got tied up, made some new friends right away on the docks, and headed out to see the sites.

We stopped for lunch and ate with a 100 of our best biker friends. We timed our stop to coincide with Myrtle Beach’s bike week and apparently they like to take field trips. There were bikers everywhere!! After lunch, we stopped at the FREE area museum before heading on our way.

We headed out of Georgetown mid-afternoon, wanting to get as close to Myrtle Beach as we could before sunset. Georgetown was a lot of fun for a few hours!!

As we continued on we passed by this cool looking pirate ship. Ya just never know what you’re going to see out here on the water!

We drove through some very pretty channels to get to our anchorage for the evening.

Stats for May 16, 2019

Destination: N. Myrtle Beach

Distance: 30 miles

Speed: 7.8 mph

Time on the Move: 3 hours and 51 minutes

Again, we wanted to get started early on our trip in to North Myrtle Beach so we could make the most of our day. Plus, Grandma and Grandpa Herbon were there waiting for us!! Mike’s parents were coming to meet up with us from Northern Michigan, and luckily, they are good at going with the flow of a flexible schedule. They pretty much said what day they’ll be here and asked where to meet us. So, Myrtle Beach it is!!

Heading through Myrtle Beach, there is a long, straight section of the ICW that is lined with homes and some restaurants. We had a few bridges to contend with, but only 2 that had to open for us. There is no extra room in this stretch to anchor, so that is why we had to stay 30 miles away the night before.

After we were all tied up at the marina, we took an uber to Mike’s parents condo. They had the most amazing view from their room on the 19th floor!!

The pool was on the 9th floor, where we still had a great view of the ocean, though it was a little windy and blustery.

After some pool time, we headed to the beach for some relaxing and playing. Can you believe these kids don’t just fall into bed every night?! Just writing about everything we do is exhausting!!

After dinner, we took advantage of unlimited hot water and a bath tub to clean up. I feel bad the kids can’t take baths on the boat!! Colin stayed overnight at the condo while the rest of us headed back to the marina to rest up for another day of travel where we would meet up with Grandma and Grandpa again.

Thanks for following along!!