Crossing the North Carolina Line

We head out of Georgetown and up the ICW into the swamplands of the Waccamaw river before Myrtle Beach area.  We needed to stage to cross through myrtle beach because it is narrow and no place to anchor until we cross into North Carolina.  So we enjoy the river  and the osprey as we head up to anchor in near enterprise creek and the split of the Waccamaw and the ICW.  At the time I didn’t realize we were anchored in the river and now off the ICW.  It was a busy afternoon but we enjoyed the sun and even better the great sleep in this quiet anchorage.  The morning waters were a lake until Next Adventure came from further up river.  We would learn as we anchored together in NC that they have another little secret anchorage further up stream that the boaters from the boat ramp don’t bother as much.
The next  morning we watched the osprey hunt and the alligators cruise the waters before we pulled anchor and headed through myrtle beach.  Check out the turtles sunning on the logs.  We first hit the MB area when we find the Socastee swing bridge.  One of two we will navigate today on each end of this tight stretch.  As we cruise through Myrtle Beach we see another 36 endeavor Maggie and Me.  We catch some interesting pictures along the ICW of this bar on the dock, check out those seats, low tides so do they use this boat, and cool signage to help boaters find their way.  Then we catch sight of the Broadway at the Beach area and the Grand Marina which leads up along restaurant row.  At Barefoot landing Chris and Al, friends of my parents come out to catch a glimpse of us passing by and take this video footage.  
At the time we did not know about the Rock Pile area but have since read about it and realized that was why there were so many rocks!  We saw this guy having fun anyway as we squeezed through this area.
Finally we reach the little river swing bridge and pass into a very busy area ……. And yes, an elephant in the yard of your pink house only along the ICW. 

Finally we spot our anchorage known as bird island.  This was a must stop for me and we are now in NC!  We have owned Journey for 2.5 years, and have Mooresville, NC on Journey as our home port, but this is the first time we have had her in NC.  Our anchorage is in an area is the southern most point of sunset beach, NC and the little river inlet.  Why did I want to stop here.  I wanted to leave my mail in the Kindred Spirit mailbox.  So once Journey was safely anchored we headed in to see if we could find a trail over to the beach and search for the mailbox.  There she is.  The mailbox is made famous from the Nicholas Sparks book, Every Breath, which is set in Sunset Beach, NC.  Yes, you can leave your mail or notes to loved ones in the box.  There are so many websites to read about this mailbox, so I will just post them at the end and you can enjoy the discover as much as I did after reading the book.  I know I am sappy sentimental romantic but I just had to visit and leave my mail.
Back to Journey for sunset cocktails and a beautiful view our first night on Journey in NC.  We met the crew of Next Adventure here who took this great shot before they pulled anchor.  WE were not far behind as we had a short hop up to Southport.  Once again catching some great sites along the ICW like this dock cover that needs that dock bar we saw in SC.
What do you do when you take the wheels off your home and you live on the ICW, well raise it of course.  We cruised along until we passed through the holden beach area and caught site of this small airport.  Look up the sky divers are coming back down.  We cruise along another narrow stretch as we enter the Southport area.
We had looked at the anchorage situation in Southport which was a little suspect so since we have Shelby and her 25hp engine we Anchorage south of the town in Dutchman Creek.  A great little spot only downside it is near a boat ramp and the boaters don’t really care about their wake.  Our first encounter was with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Two great guys admiring our boat.  They came aboard and checked us out and got a Journey tour.  A few recommendation to us before they headed back out.   This anchorage enabled us to run up to south port and explore.  First Stop Fishy Fishy Cafe which had some great decorative signs.   Then off to explore the town which is small and really didn’t take that long.  WE did enjoy the walk by the water.  On the way back to Journey I got some shots of the Bald head lighthouse and the Oak island lighthouse.  Back at Journey we found once again an osprey nest was nearby.  South port is done so we wave goodbye to the town and head up the cape fear river towards Carolina beach.