We left Wrightsville before sunup so we could make it past Marine Camp Lajune where they were having exercises and closing the waterway from 9-noon.  As we were passing by we saw all the marines and their equipment getting ready to go.

As you go along the waterway every time you come to an opening to the ocean the sand bottom shoals up into the waterway.  They usually put a small nunn buoy over near the shoal so you will go around the shoal.  At one of the junctions there were two green buoys moved over almost to the other side of the river.  I was at the helm and went over around the buoys but as I went around the second we found to a quick stop.  You can be sure John jumped up from below to see What the crazy Yankee driving the boat had done.  We tried to motor off but no way.  We called Towboat US and in about ten minutes a boat arrived and towed us off the hump of sand. 

 I learned the hard way that when you come to these junctions you have to really slow down and try and find the hole through the shoal.

That day was very interesting as it was one of the lowest tides of the year so at certain spots in the river we only had a foot or so of room under our keel and you had to wander back and forth in the river trying to find it.

The day was a long one and at about 4:30 we turned into the Lite Keepers Marina at Little river, South Carolina just north of Myrtle Beach where the boat is going to rest until John and Dixie come back after Christmas.  They intend to go down to the Florida Keys Nd then over to the Bahamas.

So this is where I get off.  It's been a wonderful 5 weeks going through high winds, cold and then nice warm weather and nice winds..lot's of rain and lots of sunshine.  Thank you John and Dixie for a great experience.  John you are a great person to spend that much time with and also a wonderful cook.  Talk about a great problem solver/mechanic/electrician John spent three hours at the top of the mast fixing a light yesterday.  To say that we haven't had a few beers, wine and rum would be an under statement.  I'll miss continuing on but I'm passing the responsibility for the blog onto Dixie.