August 11: Debbie’s Birthday and Georgetown

Since we only had a short distance to go - 51.6 miles from Myrtle Beach to Georgetown - Debbie agreed to a later start! So after lounging around, we kicked off the dock at a leisurely 6:15! The day was half over! On a positive note, we didn’t pass another boat for two and a half hours. 

It’s Debbie’s birthday today but she said she didn’t sleep well after 1 am. She said that is what happens when you get old. You don’t sleep at night any more. So I made her a delicious bagel and cream cheese breakfast and started my shift FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLY. Call me a sentimental fool.

While I’m thinking about it, one of our former friends😜 - Frank - corrected me by commenting on the blog that “boats are not driven, they are piloted.” Well, maybe Debbie pilots, but I definitely drive. I am not in the same arena of competence. I ask her a lot of questions because she has probably spent more time at a helm than behind a steering wheel. So as we were heading north she said to keep the red markers to the left because we were leaving Texas… which was one of the only states we haven’t seen on this trip.  But then she said that sometimes around inlets that changes and red will be on the right. At that point, you look at the GPS and follow the line… unless the line takes you over land. If that happens, consult the software on the iPad and see what IT has to say. The ICW markers will have tiny reflective shapes and that is the main channel. And I cannot even see the iPad unless I put on my reading glasses so I am picking up the binoculars to find the damn markers, then I look at the GPS for rogue islands, then I put on my reading glasses to see where we are on the iPad, and when I take them off, I can’t focus on a damn thing! So even saying that I DRIVE may even be generous.

Aside from magnificent mansions along the shoreline outside of Myrtle Beach, there are MANY waterfront golf courses. When you boat in this area helmets are recommend.

I made a delicious chicken salad today for lunch. As I opened the chicken can, Peanut mysteriously appeared like that creepy Chucky doll from the the horror movies. It doesn’t matter where he is or what he’s doing, he can hear a can lid being removed a mile away. You don’t hear him as much as you sense a presence. And you feel those eyes. Those unblinking eyes.

Can you tell I read a creepy book yesterday? Sue Jackson picked it out for me and it was wicked scary.

We arrived in Georgetown an hour earlier than we anticipated  thanks to a push from the current. It was a relief from the constant starts and stops we made to avoid washing boats onto the shore along the narrow ICW. The smell of a pulp mill wafted through the windows as we made our way to the slip and I thought “Deb’s gonna have a memorable birthday!”

We cranked up the air conditioning and headed for the showers. Afterward, Debbie started what may be the last load of laundry on this journey. Then of course we are headed to our favorite local brewery where I will treat Debbie to whatever she wants.