May 9, 2018 Georgetown, SC to Top Sail, NC

It's hard to believe it's the beginning of May and starting our 13th month of looping.  Time has flown and stood still at the same time.  And everyday has been paradise, no matter where we are or what we are doing.  On this beautiful spring day, May 2nd, we pulled into Georgetown, SC.  A charming town that was established in 1734 with roots that go as far back as 1526 and the Spanish.  Rice was the cash crop post American Revolution and actually produced almost half the rice in America by 1840.  Post Civil war began an economic decline, buoyed over time by lumbering and later paper mill production.  Today the town's historic district is a collection of beautiful mansions and manor homes from the Antebellum period.  We spent both days walking the river walk and tree shaded streets.

As we left Georgetown and continued north on the ICW where we enjoyed another sunny day and calm night in Bucksport.  Waving good bye to South Carolina ;and into southern North Carolina for an overnight in Southport.  

Atlantic ICW - Bucksport, SC - Perfect cruising weather

In Southport, NC we met up with Chuck and Margaret on Francseca for a visit, dinner and a walk around town.  With this, we are only one state away from being home and crossing our wake.  We decided to take our time, I mean really take our time, at this point.  No real plans, just day to day.  

Atlantic ICW - Outside Myrtle Beach, SC

We left the ICW and headed up the Cape Fear River to visit Wilmington, NC, founded in 1739.  Another historic seaport town though known best as a major commercial shipping port.  The town really boomed during the Antebellum period with the building of railroads.  By the Civil War it was a major naval depot as well a base for both Confederate and private block aide runners, who delivered needed supplies from England.  Today, it is still a bustling seaport town with much to see and enjoy.  Ken particularly enjoyed the Railroad museum and reading about the different lines, owners and engines.  For me, it brought back memories as a teenager searching for the "Maco Light", an old ghost story of the railroad worker who met a tragic end, when the caboose of his train became detached, and in his effort to warn the next oncoming train, he lost his life and his head.  Joe has been searching for his head since 1867.  In 1974, my best friend Mary, and our brothers Tony and Jimmy, went in search of the Maco Light.  Much to our shock and terror we found it.  The boys wanted to find the graveyard too but Mary and I had literally, seen enough.  Three years later in 1977 the Maco lines were pulled up and no one has seen the lights since.  Fun.....

Wilmington, NC - Railroad Museum "detail stats on a steam engine "

The weather is beginning to get steamy but the sunsets on the Cape Fear River more than make up for it.  A piece of personal history trivia....it turns out that the hotel we are docked in front of, is the same hotel we spent our first night together as man and wife.  We were there a whole 5 hours as we arrived late after our wedding reception and left early to catch a flight to our Caribbean honeymoon cruise.  In other words we got there after dark and left before the sun came up.  To be that young again!

Our first full morning, we explored the River Walk and had breakfast on the wharf before heading into town to explore.

Wilmington, NC - Breakfast on the River Walk - A rainy morning but that didn't stop us

Wilmington, NC - USS North Carolina, WWII Battleship across the Cape Fear River from the River Walk.

Governor Dudley Mansion built in 1825 - Home of the first popular elected governor in North Carolina...Edward Bishop Dudley.  Neat fact, Dudley was born and raised in Onslow County, NC.

Beautiful gardens and wrought iron gates everywhere in the historic district.

Above, love the haint blue ceilings, hanging Boston ferns and vines on the wrought iron.  To right, the roots of this magnolia just can't be stopped.

In our wanderings, we found a little gem...Thalian Hall.  Built in 1858, it is a combination city hall and theatre.  The theatre has been is restored and still operates.  While we were in town we dined at Savorez, delightful, and took in the movie "The Leisure Seeker".


One of my favorite places we explored was the Bellamy Mansion and grounds.  Built on the eve of the Civil War and completed in 1861, it is an excellent example of historic antebellum architecture.  It was built by Dr. John Bellamy with the combination of enslaved skill carpenters and freed black artisans.  Dr. Bellamy and his family lived in the home only a short period when forced to the country to avoid typhoid fever then in 1864 with the fall of Wilmington to the north, the home then became a Union headquarters.  The family was able to regain the mansion after the war and was occupied by
the then until 1972.

Kenan Memorial Fountain with Bellamy Mansion in background - at the corner of Market St. and 5th Ave.

Above, beautiful front façade and columns.

Left, intricate main entrance door.

Right, view of side and back of mansion from slave quarters

Below, view toward the river from cupola.  Notice wavy old glass.

With this lovely side trip behind us, we headed back down the Cape Fear River and onto the ICW.  Next stop Top Sail Island and into Onslow County and Jacksonville, where my family settled when Dad retired from the Marine Corp.

PS from Roofus:
Lazy days and hazy nights.  All a puppy needs is a good soft bed, a softer blankly and smooth seas.

Life is good!!!!