GL: Coastal Georgia, South and North Carolina

[MCraf98]

Having just finished our ninth year navigating the Atlantic ICW and one trip around the Loop, I have to say coastal cruising is far from boring.  Navigating the tides is like putting together an old-fashioned puzzle.  For this 60-year-old, it keeps my brain functioning.  Watching the horizon rise and then disappear behind the marsh with each tide change is a fascinating miracle.  I have seen and not seen the spires of Savannah come and go with the tide.  I've become intimate with many Great Heron as I have watched them claim squatter's rights along the shore of our many anchorages.

Try one of the anchorages along the Waccamaw River.  Sit in silence and wait.  Bird calls and strange, unseen noises from shore drift in and out.  I'll never forget that first sight of this swamp in late November, grey and brown - foreboding.  Then again in spring, freshly green - hopeful.

North Carolina and the Arbemarle - try stopping at Oriental, Okracoke, Manteo.  There's always a small cafe or coffee shop where you can listen for the small talk,learn about what makes these people and these places so special.  Hit the Arbemarle Sound on a bad day and you will think you have met Medusa in all her wrath.

We even did the inside of New Jersey once and found ourselves holed up on the Tom's River for a couple of days.  The town is full of Victorian homes.  One lady knocked on the side of our boat and just wanted to check that we were not disturbed by the young kids and their loud radios.  Gracious hospitality.  Did you know that you can anchor in a little bay on the backside of Atlantic City? And, the backside of Atlantic City looks like coastal Georgia, all marshy and barren.

Okay, maybe I've overstated my case. But, do enjoy the journey.  Martha