Paddle Day 83: Contrary Currents, New State and Holiday Break

Deb stopped along the way for more Christmas "shopping"

Last day of paddling before a break for the holidays.  I hadn't bothered to check the currents as there were multiple inlets I would be passing, but that was a big mistake!  Made it much harder to finish up North Carolina and arrive in South Carolina.
Eleven states down!  Only three states and two countries to go!

It was a cold, rainy and foggy day, so my hosts Donna and Sue suggested they take my bags by car to North Myrtle Beach for so I could travel light.  Thank you!

Saying goodbye to Donna and Sue

Getting exhausted, which led to not doing my homework to figure out the currents.  I had hoped that the tidal currents would be weak in this area, like they were along the "Inner Banks" of North Carolina.  Wrong!  The currents were against me for three quarters on the day.   They were so strong that I couldn't paddle in the middle of the waterway, and had to hug the shores.

In North Carolina there is an "Under Dock" program.  It allows residents to make habitats for oysters under their docks, to harvest for their personal use.  Because of the strong adverse currents I developed my own "Under Dock" program.  To avoid the stronger currents I crept along the shore, ducking under the docks that were high enough for me to pass under.  I had tried this many years ago in the Niagara River,  a few miles above Niagara Falls.  There I had miscalculated on one dock.  I leaned forward to make myself as low as possible.  But I had forgotten about the small pack on the back of my PFD.  The dock caught the back and stopped me, but my canoe kept right on traveling downstream.  Fortunately I did a better job of estimating dock heights on this expedition.

Deb's "Under Dock" Program

I was so glad to finally reach the Lightkeeper's Marina.

Entrance to the Lightkeeper's Marina

There a small crowd was waiting for me.  Mary, my host had arranged for a reporter, Charles, to join us.  The guys from the marina were incredibly helpful in hauling out my kayak, storing it overnight inside their office, and then storing in the owner's garage during my break.

Mary took  me home to the marina-condo-hotel where she lives.  What an interesting downsizing plan - to live where there are 24 hours attendants to help out, and no maintenance!  The doorman carried up my seven blue IKEA bags.  Such service!

Deb's bags getting the best treatment of the trip so far.

Mary and Alan gave me a chance to get clean, well fed and organized, and are even keeping my bags at their home while I fly to visit my grandchildren in the Finger Lakes.  To top it all off, Alan gave me a right to the airport to catch my late evening flight.  Thanks to these great Rotarians!

Deb, Mary and Alan

I'll be back on the water on January 2, 2015!  Have a great holiday everyone!

Paddle Day: 83

Date: Dec 22, 2014

Start: Shallotte, NC                                          
End: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Distance: 15.7 miles                                                   
Paddle, hike, bike distance: 1181.0 miles
Motor portaged: 264 miles
Total distance: 1445.0 miles
Max speed:  6.2 mph                                               
Moving ave.: 3.3 mph
Kayak storage: Lightkeeper's Marina                     
Hosts: Mary and Alan Jeffcoat