Southport to Waccamaw River: Fleeing the Cold Front

66.5 miles push south today.  We were motivated by the National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday night: "THE ARCTIC COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP THROUGH THE REGION WITH SHARPLY COLDER TEMPERATURES."  Unfortunately, as we don't have turbo warp speed engines on C.Spirit, we will still be in the area of the cold front when it arrives, but we figured we might as well move as far south as possible. 

It was much of the ICW usual:

Bridges, of course.

And beautiful dolphins.  Yes, we see dolphins daily now. 

This one was surfing the wake of the boat and stayed with Jamey for around 5 minutes, surfacing every 20 seconds or so.

Lots of gorgeous, HUGE, waterfront homes, including many of these newer ones still under construction. 

We like the older ones that have more charm.

All the houses have their own docks.  This one has a hammock.  I want to relax there!

The seagulls loved this one.

The ICW is beautiful. 

Fall colors -- something we don't see in Hawaii.

Still important to focus on staying right in the middle of the channel. 

Phoenix wishes this were not part of the usual routine.

Lunch on deck. 

Our home for the night, the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.

Tidying up the jib sheet. 

Skye getting ready to go for a row. 

She invited mom. 

May your night be as peaceful. 

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WHERE WE STARTED: Mile 309, Southport, N.C.

WHERE WE ARE: Mile 375.5, Anchored in the Waccamaw River, by Green 29.  As advised by Skipper Bob, Jamey put out a trip line.  A trip line is an extra line that attaches to the anchor with a fender keeping it afloat that will help to pull the anchor up if there is anything on the river floor that wants to snag the anchor.  


THERE TO HERE: 66.5 miles.  Early morning departure at 7 am.  Around 8.5 hours.  Jamey at the helm for almost the whole time, though we had planned to split up the day. Totally motoring with current in our favor for most of the day. 

"I feel numb," he said after six hours. 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS:  It is entertaining to read NWS's forecast discussions.  I like the words and descriptions that they use; a bit like poetry sometimes ("NEBULOUS AND DIFFUSE") and seemingly nonsensical at other times ("OPTIMAL RADIATIONAL COOLING").  But always useful and worthy of study!  Access the NWS forecast page for Charleston here.  For the forecast discussion, click on Text Product Quick Links and scroll down.  Thank you, NWS and NOAA!