Georgetown to Southport | 12 Hours | 84 Miles
The alarm sounded way too early at 5:15. It was still very dark as we made final preparations to leave Southport, knowing we had a long day ahead of us. Paradigm Shift departed first and made the turn around the finger pier and into the channel. A vivid reflection accompanied them down the Sampit River.
We pulled out behind them, hopped back into the ICW, sat back and enjoyed the scenery. We were coming off of low tide and all the tree roos were exposed. Vivid new foliage stood out while the occasional heron was camouflaged in the shadows. As always, an occasional derelict boat seemed to sprout from the shoreline. We rounded a turn and found another Selene had joined our parade. Duet, a 43-footer just like us, had pulled out of a marina and was between Paradigm Shift and Crossroads. Duet is hull number one and we are hull number nine. As we passed them, it was almost like looking in a mirror.
We were traveling faster, and burning more fuel, because we had more miles to make before the end of our day. Duet pulled off into a marina and we settled back to looking at all the sights along the way. As we neared Myrtle Beach, we did not lack for excitement. A small dredge was clearing a personal dock. A jet from the presidential fleet (if president was onboard, it would be Air Force One) was doing touch and gos at the airport. Planned developments and golf courses lined both sides of the waterway. While admiring the bunkers on this hole, a hoverboard passed us.
It was Wednesday, but there was a lot of activity on the water. Center consoles, pontoon boats, and jet skis zipped in, out, and around our path like no-see-ums. It was sometimes challenging to keep watch on the water when the houses on land were grabbing our attention. The hardscapes were incredible. Each terraced lawn and infinity pool seemed more massive and elaborate than the previous. My favorite was the retaining wall with the large orange Clemson Tigers paw logo featured front and center. Nothing like school spirit.
The blue sky and fluffy white clouds provided a perfect background for this scenic stretch.
Soon I began to look for the exceptions to the mega-terraced norm. One home used the bank for a solar field. Another covered the entire slope with stone. Occasionally there would be a small stand of old-growth trees. I know that these are short lived and will soon be cleared for another mega-mansion. In my mind, folks come to these homes to relax and unwind. Maybe that's why the large pool-side clock face seemed so out of place to me.
North of Myrtle Beach, we approached and passed the Barefoot Queen which was out on a lunch cruise. The Little River Swing Bridge opened upon request and we both passed through. Shortly thereafter we crossed into North Carolina. The tide was noticeably falling and crab pots sat exposed in the mud flats. Twelve hours after we started our day, we pulled into Southport Marina and tied up. The office staff had already left for the day, but we all settled in without drama. The evening hours passed quickly, but I did finally get off the boat for a short walk with Glenda, Jaxon, and Cooper. We ended the day as we began ... in the dark.
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