(Temporary Backup) Nana and Nandad return to NH

Three fabulous weeks back in Franklin after celebrating six birthdays, Easter , the Boston Marathon - so proud of you Ceire - and reconnecting with friends we have once again returned to continue the journey of bringing New Horizon back to her home port. St John’s Yacht Harbor was the perfect place to leave the boat. She was well looked after and had the engine oil changed and the harness fixed so the throttle issue should now be resolved - fingers crossed. 

Tuesday was our travel day and we arrived back on the boat by 8pm without any issues. Our plan is to return to Franklin in 10 days for more celebrations - this time First Communions. 

Wednesday April 17th we take the courtesy car to provision before leaving for Harborwalk Marina in Georgetown. Nandad made reservations when he was down at NH last week and we are excited to have dinner at the new George Hotel restaurant called The Independent . We are both fairly exhausted after our Bahamas trip so we have decided to take it slowly and enjoy the ride by covering approximately 50 miles a day. Our timing leaving St John found us directly as stern this enormous crane delivery so needless to say it was a very slow ride cruising through Elliott Cut. This picture is taken from the bow of NH.

Finally we pass her and this is what she looks like coming under the bridge. It is fascinating to watch the tug Captains skill.

As always the homes continue to capture our attention as we cruise along.

The research vessel NOAA was also spotted as we were leaving Charleston.

The remainder of our cruise was uneventful but longer than we had anticipated. We were tied and secured to our slip by five which was perfect timing to relax and shower before heading to dinner. The George is a new boutique style hotel and Nana was really impressed with the decor, art work, gas lamp lights , outdoor bar and fire pit area, lobby, and plush banquettes in the dining room. A classic Lowcountry cuisine the menu was heavy with fresh sea food but we were still able to find some choices for Nandad. It was a lovely evening.

Thursday April 18th we had a fantastic breakfast at Thomas Cafe before heading off for Marina at Grande Dunes which is in the Myrtle Beach area. Again a slow cruising day due to the many marinas along the way, private homes with docks right on the waterway and of course the Waccamaw River although nice and deep it is also narrow and tricky in spots. It is a very beautiful part of the ICW with its moss-draped cypresses, cypress stumps on either side of the banks, and the water is the color of tea! Not sure what was burning in the area but the whole landscape looked hazy from the smoke and there was a deep smell of molasses. We had a ten minute delay at the Socastee Swing bridge but were entertained by the many jet skis, small craft and pontoons. 

By three thirty we were in our slip and ready for a stroll. Nana and Nandad were at this marina before while cruising on Ireland’s Eye, maybe about eight years ago. Now the resort is split into four different ownership. The Marina, the Golf, the Hotel/Inn, and the restaurants are all operated independently. This means the Marina does not have access to the pool which is annoying and they no longer provide a shuttle to the beach - which is about a mile and a half away. I guess goes to show nothing stays the same! After a nice stroll around the property we return to NH , scrub her down and have a wonderful dinner onboard. Tomorrow we will cruise to Bald Head and have a much welcomed Layday. We took a ferry a few years ago from Southport SC to Bald Head so we are excited to take NH over and stay in the Marina.