Week three+ Little River, SC to Oriental, NC May 17-28, 2013

Our dock at Provision Co. and view across Southport Basin

After a delightful three days with JoAnne and Kevin we headed toward Southport on the mouth of the Cape Fear River.  It was a short day but the stop was on our list after hearing stories about Southport from Jackie and Chef Jeff, dear Ohio friends and seeing the recent movie filmed there, Safe Haven.  Upon our arrival we found a free slip at the Provision Company Seafood Restaurant dock.  The cost of dockage (without power or water) was a requirement to eat in the restaurant at least once daily.  What a hardship!  The seafood was excellent, the ambiance typical small-town fishing port and the staff friendly and accommodating.  We met fellow Loopers, Tony and Shirley on “Headquarters” during our three-day stay, partially weather driven but mostly because of the atmosphere.  We also met AGLCA Harbor Hosts of the Year, Robert and Kay Creech.  They were a wealth of knowledge of the area waters and helped us plan our next several days while sipping wine on their harbor-view front porch.  Wink, a retired Navy Seal, who we met dockside, loaned us his truck so we could re-provision but he was just one of many who offered us assistance getting around if needed.  Great people!!!

Southport lookout and beach

Robert, Jody, Kay, Shirley and Tony

A hug with Jackie's cousin Beth, longtime resident of Southport 

Safe Haven Poster and location of the movie's store that burned

Shirley and Sandy sharing a blanket at anchor on Some R Lovin'

Wrightsville Beach was our next stop as we prepared to collect our daughter Heather for a four-day trip northward.  We anchored with “Headquarters” one night and took a slip at Bridge Tender Marina the next night in order to rent a car to meet Heather in Oriental, NC.  Meeting people who join us for a cruise takes a lot of planning (pick the time or place but not both is the rule).  On our return from Oriental to Wrightsville Beach by car we found a quaint roadside farm market with delicious fresh local strawberries and vegetables that became themes of our meals aboard for the next several days. 

Full moon over Mile Hammock

Our first stop with Heather was an anchorage at Mile Hammock near Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.  A full moon and a quiet cove offered a fun experience on the hook despite winds in excess of 20 mph.  Casper’s Marina in Swansboro was our next stop, another cute fishing community.  Local recommendations helped guide us on a walking tour of the historic part of town where we found Clyde Philips’ fish market and bought more shrimp and a freshly caught Drum filleted for us while we waited.  It turned into a scrumptious meal that night.  After dinner we strolled to The Irish Pub and Icehouse Restaurant for drinks and live folk entertainment along with many of the locals.  What a fun night!!!

Same moon only earlier

Toasting our cook (Sandy) in Historic Swansboro, NC

The cigar was Dad's idea

Heather on a hike into the Reserve

Early off the dock on Sunday (with a somewhat compromised first mate and crew) for another short day trip to Beaufort (bo-fort), NC where we joined hundreds of Memorial Day revelers in this popular seaside community, the third oldest city in North Carolina.  A side trip for Heather and Dan was a dinghy ride across Taylor Creek to the Rachel Carson Reserve where they found a heard of feral Shackleford horses roaming free. What a special treat. Rachel Carson is remembered as the Mother of the Environmental Movement who focused on the abuse of chemicals like DDT.

Shackleford Horses at their watering hole

Wildflowers near Taylor Creek

Sunset at Beaufort Docks

Heather at the helm under the watchful eye of Sandy

Back to Oriental, this time by water, was sadly our last day with Heather.  We traveled along the Nuese River, the widest river in the US for the four hour-trip.  Not a lot to see but the day was bright and sunny and shortly after arriving at the Oriental Marina and Inn we joined the local crowd at the Tiki Hut for a rum punch. Later we grilled a delicious dinner, tended to some laundry, filled the water tanks and settled in for quiet night. At 7:00 AM we kissed Heather goodbye, tossed the lines off and watched sailboat masts from the sailing capital of North Carolina fade into the background.

 

The Tiki Hut in Oriental