3000 and 100 !!!

Since my last post I have been continuing southbound on the Intra-Coastal Waterway.  I have surpassed two significant milestones just this week.

3000 - That's the number of nautical miles I have traveled since I began this awesome journey back in June!!!

100 - That's the number of times the boat has moved or been underway.  And, I have stayed in 100 different places along the way!!!

To see a list of all the places I've been click here...

I am currently resting quietly in McClellanville,  SC.  This  is a small fishing town south of Myrtle Beach and about 35 miles north of Charleston, SC.  I say resting quietly, but the boat is actually resting (stuck) on the bottom in the mud in about 3 feet of water.  This particular area of the ICW is known for shallow waters.  I arrived at this marina at high tide and had no problem getting to the dock - and I knew I'd be on the bottom at low tide.  It's all about the planning.  High tide in the morning is right on schedule.  The tide will lift me off the bottom - and I'll be on my way south again.

Here's a look at the picturesque southern town of McClellanville...

You can see the lovely old southern style trees.  Their stately branches are gracefully draped with moss...There's one tree down the road from the marina that is over 1,000 years old!

With trees as grand as this.  You have to have a tree house!  Notice the nautical theme...  equipped with ship's wheel and anchor...

Here's an old church dating back to the late 1800's... look close and see the church's bell in back ready to chime to announce services.

And here's the fresh seafood store - right off the boat docks where they bring in the fresh catch...

I'm having fresh shrimp and crab dip for dinner tonight...

Prior to my arrival here in McClellanville I spent a week back at home visiting Janet and Penny - who just turned 2 years old...

Janet...

Penny...  she loved the polar bear and penguins in the snow...

Once I got back to the boat I had some cold weather of my own to deal with.

Here's a screenshot of my weather on a particularly chilly morning...

YES - my weather here on the boat - not back home in Chicago...

So - what to do???  Dress for SUCCESS!!! and keep cruising....

Which I did and was rewarded with some beautiful scenery along the Carolina waterway...

Here's a local community right on the ICW with a golf course...

And - a swing bridge opening for my passage...

Cruising through the Carolinas revealed many reminders of the recent hurricanes that hit this area.  I saw many sunken vessels and also homes along the waterway that are still recovering from the strong winds and flood waters...

Click on this link to see a short video clip of the beautiful Topsail Beach in Surf City.  I visited at sunset and watched the surfers and the seabirds...

Whenever there is family along my route... I make it a point to visit if plans/schedules allow.  My cousin Kevin and his dog Brooklyn showed me all around Myrtle Beach...  Thanks again KEV!!!

I also met my sister Christine who spends time in the Carolinas in the winter...

My original cruise plan would have had me back at my home port in Key Biscayne in time for the holidays.  But, for a host of reasons I am behind that timeline - not a problem.  I'll continue south for the next two weeks.... the weather is improving (i.e. warming up as I get further south)...  I'll leave the boat somewhere safe in South Carolina, then head home for Christmas.  After that I'll return and continue south along the South Carolina shores, then Georgia, then Florida!!!  I've got roughly another 700 miles to go... 

I appreciate all of you who continue to follow along on my blog...