Fri, May 12 - to Osprey Marina, South Myrtle Beach, SC
28 May 2017
Heavy overcast 70/91F WNW 5-10
Trip today: 36 miles in 4.5 hours
OMG...at 5:30 I suddenly awoke and thought something was burning on the boat! The smell was overwhelming, and since Brian had recently fixed an electical problem, my first thought was that we had a fire on board! After scurrying around to check the micro and receptacles, I realize the smell was blowing in through our open hatches...it was the smell from the mill! Once the hatches were closed, the fans turned on, and after a few spritzes of tea tree oil, the air was clear enough to breathe. But I was wide awake & decided to check weather info and catch up with emails. Later, Brian called Craig and a change in plan was discussed...a tough call, but it was decided the approaching front with rain & Tstorms would be best spent at Osprey marina, rather than here in Georgetown. To appease the crew, we planned breakfast in town, then the guys would go bilge pump shopping while Donna & I had a couple of hours of 'browsing time' before departure.
At 9:00 Craig picked us up and we all headed to 'Thomas's', an old diner on the main street...open only for hearty breakfast & lunch... a friendly spot frequented by local folks! We've had breakfast here many times, and today I deviated from regular fare to try their signature 'Low Country Creole Omlette'...wow, it was fantastic, a delicious filling of crab and lots of crisp shrimp, with a creole sauce...best breakfast ever! Before leaving, I stopped by the kitchen to thank the chef for the wonderful omlette...he beamed and told me he cooks the shrimp to order for this dish...no letting them sit in the sauce! After breakfast, Brian & Craig got a taxi to Walmart to get a bilge pump, while Donna & I browsed the shops along the main street...big purchase was a new Mighty Fine hat for Craig!
By 12:45 all were aboard, anchors up, and Mar-a-Lago followed Mighty Fine out of the harbour into the Waccamaw River. The 36 mile trip through the Cypress swamps was a peaceful and uneventful trip, and by 5:15 we were tied to the end of the fuel dock. The fuel prices here are really inexpensive, and Craig loves coming here to fuel up his trawler. Today he fueled up and then amused us by his 'fountain' impression, using pink diesel as a fountain instead of water...a mighty fine show...lol! Donna wasn't amused at the clean-up mess he'd created! We then checked into the marina office, with its nice furnishings, a cozy area for relaxing and breakfast bar/tables. This is a great spot to stay, a freshwater hurricane hole with 360 degree protection and great rates...$1/ft per day and after 3 days it drops to $.25/ft...what a bargain! The down side is that even though the Myrtle Beach shopping areas and oceanfront is not far away, the marina is isolated and you do need a car to get around.