A New Stop on the ICW

The old southern houses along the waterfront.

 We made a stop at a place we had never been before, Southport, NC.  We were glad we did.  It was a charming southern town with the large older homes along the water front and many quaint churches and shops.

The dogwood blossoms made great framing for this church.

It was also interesting because the day we were there, they were shooting a scene for the new show that comes out in June on CBS called Under the Dome.  We saw a lot of the equipment and one scene but no big stars.

Lights, camera, action!

Came highly recommended.

We did learn that this town and Wilmington, NC are used often for shows and movies.  Even parts of the TV show, Revenge, which supposedly takes place in the Hamptons is shot here.
We had another enjoyable meal at the place recommended by many, called Fishy Fish.  I actually have become tired of so much seafood so I chose a wonderful Walnut Apple Spinach Salad!

The fun Fishy Fish Cafe

Full moon from the docks of Southport Marina.

We stayed at Southport Marina which was a very nice facility.  It had great floating docks and nice bathrooms.  But the view that night was the greatest, with the full moon reflecting in the water.




The next day we moved onto Wrightsville Beach which was definitely a different atmosphere.  It is a beach town with lots of young people all around.  They were having a paddle board race on Saturday so there were many twenty-somethings out in their very little swim suits paddling all around our boats.  We are sitting there in our fleece and jeans but they had on their swim suits!  Oh, to be young again.  The men in the anchorage thoroughly enjoyed the sites. I on the other hand enjoyed the beach.

The craze of paddle boarding has taken over!

Wrightsville Beach

Cruisers heading north.

 The next day we left to anchor in Mile Hammock along with about eight other boats going through all the bridges with us.  There ended up about 15 boats in anchorage who seemed to keep coming in even after we went down below after dark.

Some rainy weather was predicted so we decided to head in to River Dunes Marina just north of Oriental, NC. Thirteen other boats decided the same thing along with our friends on Summersalt, John and Susie, and Five and Dime with Curt and Kathy.  Since they had so many boats come in, the manage called the chef and staff to come in on a Monday for a cruiser's dinner.  A one selection entree with salad, veggie, rolls and dessert for a set price.  After raining all day it felt good to go to the restaurant and sit in real chairs and talk to other cruisers. 

Enjoying our cruiser meal at River Dunes.

Our rainy day ended with a sunset and moon rise from the window of the restaurant.

So now we are in the Dismal Swamp because the winds were against us to go up the Virginia Cut.  We plan to meet up with our old friends Dave and Toni Mershon to see their new home in Williamsburg this weekend.  It will be nice to get off the boat for a few days.  It won't be long now until we are back at our home marina!