Today we traveled 65 miles and most of it was in sunshine, I am happy to say.  Although it was dreary and damp early in the morning, by mid-morning, the sun came out and it was glorious the remainder of the day.  Sunshine really is uplifting to the soul, isn't it?

We saw some unusual things along our route today:  a set of gondolas over the river -- a parking lot was on one side and a golf course was on the other. Very clever.  South Carolina is a major golf area in the US.  By noon we were in Ocean Isles, North Carolina where we saw a VTOL (Vertical Takoff Or Landing) practicing maneuvers. That's not something one sees every day either.

In the early afternoon, Ralph discovered a large tick on Striper's face under her right eye.  I used hand sanitizer to smother it and pull it off.  Striper was clearly not herself.  She was a bit listless and wouldn't attempt to go down any steps.  She even rejected a "treatie."

Ralph called Bob and Kay Creech, the MTOA Port Captains in Southport, NC to ask if they might help us with choosing a veterinarian in Southport and taking us there with Striper.  Southport Animal Hospital told us to bring her right in and Kay took us there right away. She was given an examination, a blood work up and liver and kidney testing, all of which were normal and they prescribed an antibiotic.

We asked Bob and Kay to be our guests for dinner.  We had a delicious meal at Yacht Basin Provision Co  By the time we returned to the boat, Striper was much improved.  Thank you, Jesus for providing caring folks to help us in our need today and for Striper's improvement.

Here are a few of today's photos:

Kay and Ralph on the Creech's front porch

A view of the Cape Fear River from the Creech's front porch

We walked to dinner and were told at high tide, the restaurants put out extra ramps for their patrons because the street is flooded.

A foodie foto:  Grilled yellow fin tuna sandwich and crispy fries.

Tonight's back yard  -- Ralph, me, Kay and Bob

The movie "Safe Haven" was filmed here in Southport, NC

Leaving Osprey Marina this morning

Hooray!  Blue skies

Socastee Bridge

In the event of a hurricane, none of these bridges will open

Along our route today

Homes along our route

I didn't know buoys were so huge

Homes on the ICW

Homes on the ICW

Home on the ICW

A very large RV park

VTOL Vertical Takeoff Or Landing

On June 1, 2007 we originally picked up Say Good-Bye at Southport Marina

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Homes along our route

Gondolas crossing the Waccamanah River -- parking lot is on right side of river, golf course is on the left side

The gondola car reaches the golf course -- there are racks for golf clubs on the outside of the car

I like this terraced garden