Today we are in Wrightsville NC... weather is blowing up a storm and we are staying over through Monday. The marina is called Seapath. Really very nice. So far the trip since last report has been great and weather has been perfect until now. Since leaving Beaufort we have gone to Charleston and from there to Georgetown, N Myrtle Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Boat is running good. Some comments for those of you that will be coming behind me.... Elliott Cut into Charleston harbor is a real kick if you are going with the current. It popped us into the harbor like a cork. Just hope you can get under the bridge because if we had had to wait for an opening we would have had a big problem. Estimated current was over 3 knots. We stayed in Ashley Marina in Charleston. Marina is tired and starting to look run down. TV cable did not work on face dock. Some of the phone connections failed to work. Bathrooms were not serviced the time I used them. The attitude of some of the dock hands was not all that good. Price of fuel and dockage was excellent and they had a great transportation system into old town although they will not run you to West or other stores across the river. Bottom line, we would not go back until management gets it act together and puts some money in the dock system and facilities. Georgetown was great!!! We stayed at Harborwalk. Saw a bald eagle on the way up and lots of other wildlife. While the facilities are basic, it all worked and it was great to walk about this old S.C. town. You can walk to the fish store and get fresh, really fresh, shrimp!!! People were great and very helpful. From there it was a long run to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club. We had the current against us the whole way and while the views on the Waccamaw River were great, it was slow going until we got into the man made cuts. The "rocks" were not as bad as I thought and while we did not stop at the discount stores we will on the way back. The Yacht Club has excellent service and good facilities. Any boat can use the docks. No complaints. We left in the a.m. trying to time our arrival at the pontoon bridge so we would not have to wait too long. Opens only on the hour. Why they have never replaced this bridge I do not know??? Tide carried us faster than expected so we ended up having to wait. From there it was straight shot to Holden Beach and then to Cape Fear and the river. No wake zones are a hot subject on Holden Beach .... the state government just passed a bill making the ICW along this island a no wake zone... that is at least 9 miles. Does not make sense. We slowed down every time we saw boats in the water, but the locals ignored them. We think from reading the newspapers that the real target are the jet skis....The tide was with us on this run, vs the day before when we had it on our nose all day. The Cape Fear River was really neat!!! Never knew my trawler could do 11 knots. When we come home we will have to time passage with the tides in mind. It really made a big difference. Coming out of the river into the Carolina Beach area was a real shock... It was Saturday and a clear, beautiful day. So every boat in this part of the world was out!!!!! Really crazy and after days of very few boats around you, a culture shock after two weeks of peace and quiet. New rule for me, do not travel on weekends unless area is remote. Wife agrees!! Which brings us to Seapath Yacht Club. Great place and we decided to lay up for a few days. Got a chance to go to Church today and Monday we will work on the boat a little and let the front pass. We have met up with some great boats along the way. One, a Grand Banks 42, NINA, is heading our way at our speed. So we have joined up. We all have common interests and enjoy sharing our experiences. That is what cruising is all about. Meeting new people, stopping at interesting places and just enjoying the life we have. Now a word on another subject: cell phones. You all will recall I talked about signing up with ATT for unlimited service...no roaming and no long distance charges. Did that and have been using it without a problem. Called ATT today to set up a mail box because we felt we needed one... had missed a few calls. Was advised by a very nice person that a mistake had been made in my account and because I did not have the latest ATT phone.... one that works in dual service areas...????? I was not eligible for the one rate plan. This is a catch 22 because I went with the PCS digital phone because it works with a booster... the new phones do not. ATT never told me that I had to have a special phone. I guess with all the calls we had been making it showed up in the records. While they covered the costs up to this point in the trip, they refused to cover the verbal contract I made with them when I started this trip and signed up for this service. I am very upset about this, because they have got you!!!!!!! Any of you run into this situation??? Any solutions???? Comments would be appreciated. Also for those of you on one rate watch out... the fine print has some hidden meaning in it. Cheers, Bob and Joann Marguerite Northbound in the ICW

"HAWK (RGH CARROLL)" wrote: > Hi Bob and Joan, Thanks for the update on your cruising adventures. Ruth and I wish we were with you. I signed on with the AT&T one rate plan when it came out in August of 98. I have not had any problems with them. I have a nokia 6160 phone. So far everything has been ok. What type of Phone do you have? Grady Lee M/V Summer Moon South River MD. > > > Any of you run into this situation??? Any solutions???? Comments would be > appreciated. Also for those of you on one rate watch out... the fine print > has some hidden meaning in it. > > Cheers, > > Bob and Joann > Marguerite > Northbound in the ICW