Myrtle Beach, SC

The trip from Southport, NC to Myrtle Beach, SC was about 65 statute miles. Today was one of the more exciting routes for Bill to navigate because of tides, currents, bridges under construction (which closes the ICW for four hours a day), etc.

Around mile 321 we went through the Lockwoods Folly inlet. We had read in our cruising guide and online on cruisers net and the USCG site that this area was very shallow and subject to severe shoaling. We were in communication with a boat in front of us that had a larger draft. Bill slowed down and we followed the channel in their wake 300 yards or so behind. They went through no problem and reported seeing no less than 7 feet. We weren't so lucky. Right after we passed the mouth of the inlet we hit and went firmly aground -- so hard that the boat was actually listing. We must have been on some sort of mound or something. It was frustrating because we would get off the bottom and have some movement only to run aground again. It was difficult to know which way to try to move the boat. A few other sailboats went by and reported the depths that they had seen so Bill decided to try to get Mary Elizabeth off the bottom and head in that direction. We were aground for about 1/2 an hour before Bill was able to successfully rev the engine and use the bow thruster to knock us off, put the boat in reverse to "trace our steps" and get further to port into the channel. Whew. The old saying goes..... there are those who have run aground, those who will, and those who lie about it.

The rest of the day was just as interesting since the Shallotte Inlet at mile 325 had not been dredged in several years, severe shoaling, shallow depths and many groundings were reported here as well. We got through Shallottes ok and continued on. Around mile 343 we passed into South Carolina.

Bill and I stayed at the Barefoot Yacht Club in Myrtle Beach, which is about half way through the Pine Island cut. After straightening up the boat, we walked over the Barefoot Swing Bridge to Barefoot Landing - a "complex" of shops and restaurants (which was deserted except for a handful of cruisers.) We chatted with a few fellow boaters while picking up some takeout at one of the restaurants before heading back over the bridge to the boat. Myrtle Beach definitely seems like a great place to vacation in the summer; beaches, shops, restaurants, 120 golf courses!

Today was even colder than yesterday, but the winds weren't as strong and there was a little sunshine. Brrrrr...... Unfortunately Bill has come down with a cough.

For more pictures of our trip to Myrtle Beach, SC Click Here