Thursday, July 4th, 2013 - South and North Carolina!

Traveling more back roads of many of America's small towns...the downtown bridge in Conway, SC's historic district.

Aboard a U.S. Coast Guard Ship in Wilmington, NC

Yes, they have an 'auto-pilot' too!  And, the crew member pointed out the 'grip rail', in the event it's needed for actions like 20' waves!  Thank you, U.S. Coast Guard, for your service to your country and boaters alike!

The ship is named "Diligence" and is based in Wilmington.  It is often deployed to watch for drug-running traffic.

Downtown streets in Wilmington 

 

A GREAT fireworks show at Surfside Beach, SC!  We could see other shows from other communities up and down the beach!

Wonderful bands for entertaining the crowds at Surfside too!

 

 

The retired U.S.S. North Carolina across the river from the Coast Guard ship.

 



Wednesday, July 3, 2013 - Georgetown, SC

Took a journey today via car down to the beautiful harbor town of Georgetown, SC - primarily visiting the downtown historic district.  Did you know that at one time, Georgetown, SC was the rice capital of the world?  Shipments to Seattle went around Cape Horn!

 

 

Georgetown Harbor's boardwalk...

 

 Made a stop at the South Carolina Maritime Museum...

 

And took the tour of the Rice Museum...mortars and pestles used for getting the rice kerns out of the hulls.  Many of these looked as though they were made 'on site' by field workers!

a miniature display of how rice is processed... 'a rice mill'....

The remains of a vessel built in the 1700's; the ribs are from live oak trees on the plantations; outside was covered with cedar planks; wooden nails were used, many still in place and holding strong.

 

Known as The Browns Ferry, the vessel was recovered from one of the area plantations after it had sunk decades ago.  Researchers have found evidence that point to the Ferry being made some 50 earlier that previous known ship building occurring in the US....

We learned that most of the plantations had their own boats built which transported supplies, field workers, family and friends to the plantations.  Rice and other grown produce were moved to market - primarily Georgetown - by larger boats and barges. 

 

The Davis Back Staff or Quadrant was used for navigation.  Our old friend Captains Bill and Wendy Boettcher can explain this much better than I, so I took a picture of how it is intended to be used.

 

A miniature replica of the first vessel...

 

Volumes of accounting ledgers were on hand at the Rice Museum...note the 'woodworker's shopping list...five pounds of glue at 10 cents per pound in 1792!  The Rasp is listed at $0.50 !!

 

A "real" cash register!

The museum had the original wood floors which were installed sometime in the early 1700's apparently.  They are a little 'uneven' but well worn and holding up great!

Lunch today was at a 50's style "Highway 55 Burgers" joint; and dinner tonight at a local favorite - Prosser's BBQ (but more seafood than BBQ).

Tuesday July 2, 2013... tourists in Myrtle Beach

Buckets and buckets of rain today...and yesterday.  We stayed close to the boat in the a.m. and rented a car on Monday afternoon knowing that we'll be here awhile due to the weather delay.  Out and about the Myrtle Beach area on Monday afternoon - stopped by the "K & W Cafeteria" that Mom and Dad used to love to frequent when they wintered here.  Turkey dinner, roast beef dinner with two veggies each, rolls, desserts, iced teas, and salads, totaled just over $20!   Took a drive down the Grand Strand along the Ocean - nothing wrong with the economy here - tourists abound everywhere!

 Dinner Tuesday night at Captain George's Seafood Buffet...crab legs. steamed shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, scallops, Pollack, crab imperial, oysters Rockefeller, and more!  The buffets were all in 'ships'!

 

Ron visited the Ripley Aquarium today at "Broadway at the Beach" shopping and entertainment complex, while I dashed to a quilt shop, "Quilters Cottage." 

 

 Lunch Tuesday at "Peaches Corner" - a Myrtle Beach institution!  Miniature golf courses are everywhere and they're HUGE!

 

Broadway at the Beach's restaurant and shopping complex had a lake in the middle - with boat rides!

More and more buckets of rain!

Baby swallows await their dinner in an upper corner of marina's office porch.

 

Sunday, June 30, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC

We spend a rain day hanging out on the boat and do some more catch-up paperwork and cleaning on the boat.... the plan is for 3 or 4 more days of on and off rain....

 

 

 

 The channel into the marina is quite narrow but good depth and plenty of room for us to get in

Took a walk around the 'outside' to get a leg stretch... under the watchful eye of Captain Michele... part of my ongoing training in learning to better take directions while underway.....

Fuel dock all decked out waiting America's birthday!







Purple Martin hotel at the marina..... I think they have all gone north for the summer....

Osprey Marina Offices and facilities

We found a 'sun break' that let us get in a couple miles of needed walking.... these goat's loved Michele's blue blouse and wanted to come home with her I think.....

This guy found it more effecient to get closer to the grass on his knees....

my new rain hat...

Holding down B dock -  this is a great marina with super staff !