Trips of Discovery - For me, boating is never just about the destination, it's always at least as much about the journey.

Dock, dine, and dive into the endless summer – Hilton Head Island, SC 

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes – SBFL* Stop 32 – Prepare to be enchanted as you drop anchor at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. With sun-kissed, 70-degree days caressed by the Gulf Stream’s embrace, this alluring, semi-tropical paradise will tempt you to linger longer than expected. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sailing away only to pack your bags and return, forever captivated by the island’s irresistible charm. You will be in a place where the sand is golden, the waters are warm, and the laughter is contagious! A place where flip-flops are the official footwear, sunburns (please don’t get one) are a badge of honor, and “island time” isn’t just an expression but...

Beaufort, SC – Sailing into southern charm in the Carolina Lowcountry

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes – SBFL* Stop 31 – Planned – Did you know that there’s an island in South Carolina that strictly belongs to 4,000 monkeys? That’s right, we’re talking about a monkey town made up of more than 2,000 acres of pristine land, Morgan Island. It’s near Beaufort, South Carolina. You can’t land on it, but certainly, go around to catch a glimpse of the monkey colony that started in 1979. Get ready to set sail and discover a hidden gem of southern charm and luxury as you cruise the Lowcountry of South Carolina, home to 68 Sea Islands. Although you can’t visit many of the islands, Beaufort is the queen of...

Take a break from your ICW voyage and indulge in the charms of Charleston, SC

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes – SBFL* Stop 30 – Planned – As we depart from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we find ourselves faced with a decision: to Georgetown or not to Georgetown?  The next logical stop is Georgetown, SC.  This charming town may be a hidden gem, well worth the 60-mile trek from Myrtle Beach. Alternatively, for those feeling particularly adventurous, you can continue on to Charleston, which is about 100 miles away. It’s like choosing between a juicy ribeye and a succulent lobster tail – both are delectable, but you can only have one. Of course, there’s always the option of surf and turf for those who can’t decide. Ultimately, the choice is...

Stay and play – an endless summer adventure – Myrtle Beach, SC

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes – SBFL* Stop 29 – Planned – Hold on tight, fellow adventure seekers! We’re continuing our nostalgic journey down memory lane as we compare two epic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) trips, chronicled in National Geographic. We compare and contrast the observations made by Dorothea and Stuart E. Jones in their 1958 article, “Slow Boat to Florida,” and Allan C. Fisher Jr.’s 1973 book, “America’s Inland Waterway (ICW).” We have been uncovering the ways in which the ICW has been transformed over the past few decades. Our journey along the ICW started at our very own Milliarium Aureum – Golden Milestone, the Mile Zero. We embarked on our own Slow Boat to Florida...