Southport, North Carolina

Mystic has been sitting at Osprey Marina while we were home in Minnesota. Before we left Myrtle Beach, our friends Scott and Yolanda Moody came for a visit. We met them on Lake Superior in 2013 when they hauled their sailboat to Knife River Marina for a summer on the lake. We have become close friends and manage to run into each other all over the country. It's always been that way with Scott and Yo! We follow each other around the continent and figure out when our next reunion can happen; and when it does, it's always a good time!

Beth, Yolanda, Scott & Dave at Myrtle Beach

Leaving Osprey Marina for Minnesota

When we returned to Osprey Marina from our Minnesota detour we only stayed at the dock for one night. Our next stop is Southport, North Carolina about 65 miles north. The trip will take us nearly 10 hours. Debbie and Steve, from Delphinea, tossed our lines as we pulled away from the dock under sunny skies. It was bittersweet leaving them behind after weeks of buddy boating together. They've shared a wealth of knowledge and been a fun distraction from the stress of long days in the shallows. We hope to see them again.

Debbie and Steve with Libby S/V Delphinea

We passed under three swing bridges and several high bridges on our route. Our morning went by with ease. The most challenging section of our course is called Rock Cut; a canal with rocks on either side of the channel. We went through this cut at a rising tide and could see some of the rocks just below the surface. Many of these outcroppings are underwater at high tide. Boats that stray from the center of the channel have run aground here. We have to pay attention at all times. In addition, we follow Bob's blue line which kept us out of trouble. We enjoyed this cut immensely. It was very pretty with beautiful homes lining each shoreline.

Our first high bridge followed by a swing bridge

Sharing the ICW with a tug

Rock Cut

Purple staircase

ICW Southport, NC

Pirate Ship on ICW

Storm Casualty

White sand dune with cross

We arrived at Southport around 5:30 and docked at the City Marina. This isn't our first time here. We visited Southport in 1983 aboard our 23' Coronado, S/V Keewatin. We got stuck at this same city dock for a week, waiting for an engine part. We have distinct memories of this lovely little town, so we are surprised and a bit confused that nothing looks the same.

Mystic at Southport City Marina

Our dock mate at Southport

We went for a walk through town but did not find anything as we remembered it. The marina and town are all dressed up for the 4th of July, with everything looking quite festive in red, white and blue. If this were our first time visiting Southport we would say that we like this cute little town. Instead, we are bewildered by the changes that make it feel like we've never been here before. We chalk it up to things changing over time; after all, 26 years have passed.

Flag draped docks

North Harbor at Southport

Yacht Basin Boathouse

Potter's Seafood

Gazebo at the Christmas House

The Christmas House

The Christmas House

Over 800 years old - Indian Trail Tree

Bald Head Lighthouse - 1817

We wandered over to the pier just north of our dock and found restaurants and seafood markets. We stopped at Fishy Fishy and sat at the bar. A couple sat next to us, Gary and Diane Mays who are Loopers. We shared stories about our experiences and what lies ahead while we sipped Edward Teach (Blackbeard) beer. It was a fun night. We exchanged boat cards before saying goodnight.

Fishy Fishy Cafe

Relax, you're on Fishy Time

Enjoying Edward Teach Beer at Fishy Fishy

Southport Harbor Respite

On our walk back to Mystic in the dark, we discussing our memories from 1983, perplexed that what we see in 2019 doesn't match up with what we remember from 1983. Southport will always hold two distinct memories for us now. We will cherish both, in different ways.