Day 7 - Nov 2, 2013
An uneventful run from Morehead City to Mile Hammock Bay. There were a few sprinkles and some reduced visibility. There were 9 boats in the anchorage when we arrived. Two others joined later for a total of 12 as the sunset. Things were fairly quiet overnight except for a wind shift sometime around 0200 hrs.

Location: Mile Hammock Bay, MM 245
Distance Traveled: 41.5 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.3 MPH


Day 8 - Nov 3, 2013
 Only one incident observed in the run from Mile Hammock to Carolina Beach. Northerly winds and strong current fouled up the timing of a couple of bridge openings at Figure 8 Island and Wrightsville. We had to jockey around for about 40 minutes while waiting to pass through Wrightsville Beach Bridge. As usual, one sailboat ran aground at the shoals just before the bridge. He was a lucky one and was able to unground himself and still make the bridge opening.

We took a mooring ball at Carolina Beach. The wind seems to rip through the anchorage/mooring field. The $20 flat fee mooring is worth the piece of mind. I did get up in the middle of the night and double up on our lines to the mooring ball pennant. Went back to bed sensing I had added to our security.

Location: Carolina Beach Mooring Field, MM295
Distance Traveled: 52.1 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 5.9 MPH
Start: 0645 hrs
Stop: 1520 hrs


Day 9 - Nov 4, 2013
 Slept late this AM. Need to time the run down the Cape Fear River today. This means we should not leave the mooring field until at least 0830 hrs. The run down Snow’s Cut to the river was speedy and then we ran slam into the “washing machine”. An ebbing tide and northerly winds had the river really churned up. It was like putting a little paper boat in a washing machine. It was a lumpy but reasonably speedy run down to Southport. At Southport we ran into the current roaring out of the ICW toward the inlet.

We trudged on and decided to stop at St. James Marina at Mile Marker 315.

We needed to do laundry, refuel and take on water. The facility was recommended by other cruisers and it certainly lived up to their reviews. A great place and attentive staff.

Location: St James Marina, near Southport NC, MM 315
Distance Traveled: 20 Statute Miles


Day 10 - Nov 5, 2013
 First hiccup in the day plan. It’s really nasty overcast and sprinkling. No predawn moving in this mess. We finally got underway at 0622 hrs.

Out in the ICW, we managed to take advantage of the current to arrive at Lockwoods Folly Inlet a little before high tide. Following tips from cruisersnet.net we negotiate our way through with no problems. One trouble spot down, one more to go.

We arrived at Shallotte Inlet at the top of the tide and again following cruisersnet.net tips we successfully passed through the inlet. Two down, none to go for the day.

We continued on to the Little River Inlet, Myrtle Beach, into the Waccamaw River and our destination oxbow anchorage.

Location: Waccamaw River, South of Myrtle Beach, MM 374.1
Distance Traveled: 61 Statute Miles
Avg Speed: 6.4 MPH
Start: 0622 hrs
Stop: 1545 hrs