Our Happy Place (Charleston, SC to Ocracoke, NC)

Keith and I arrived in Charleston, South Carolina around 3PM on Thursday April 12th.  Southern Style was out on the mega dock at the City Marina.  We were excited to meet up with Lacey and Davis Toney for dinner.  Lacey was able to come to the boat for a cocktail before driving us to dinner where we met up with her husband Davis.  He came directly from his work to the restaurant.  They picked a cool spot called "Taco Boy".  The fish tacos were great.

                                                                 Taco Boy

                                                             
                                                                 Gail and Keith

Lacey and Davis

Lacey and Davis seem to be settling into married bliss quite well.  So glad we could see them during our short overnight in Charleston.

Friday April 13th we left Charleston at first light for an offshore run to Morehead City, North Carolina.  This was our only semi good weather window for an offshore run.  After getting out of the Charleston inlet we set the throttles at about 1967 rpm's and did not touch them for about 10 hours (some 250 miles).  We slowed down as we got into the Morehead City Turning Basin after coming in the inlet at Beaufort, North Carolina.  The seas were on the beam (hitting us on the side of the boat) all day and the first mate (Birthday girl Gail) was queezy but I survived.  If I had to do it all over I would still run off shore as we got to North Carolina faster and that is what we both wanted. We had "Carolina on Our Mind"  and especially Ocracoke.  In spite of the uncomfortable ride, we still went to Floyd's for my birthday dinner.  I had a great Jerk Mahi with Coconut Shrimp.

After a really good and hard nights sleep, we departed Morehead City Yacht Basin Saturday morning around 7:45AM and headed for Ocracoke, our very favorite place.  We ran the boat slowly through Adam's Creek but otherwise we were hammer down.  The Pamlico Sound was a gem (slick cam as they say on Ocracoke) and we arrived at the National Park Service Docks around 11:00 AM.

                                   Southern Style in Ocracoke at the park service docks

Good friend Russ Reynolds was at the park service docks to greet us as we pulled in.  This so feels like home.  Lunch at SmacNally's and then over to Russ and Michelle Reynolds to see their new house.  They just moved in officially 2 weeks ago.  It is a beautiful home and their lot has fantastic views.  As much as we like our home on Southern Style there was a bit of envy.

                                          View of the Pamlico Sound from Russ and Michelle's

Russ and Michelle had us for dinner along with another couple we have gotten to know, Larry and Stephanie Ihle.  Their first entertaining to christen their new home.  One of our "bestest" furry friends Whiff was also present.
                                                       
                                                            Whiff  (Russ and Michell's Pup)                             

Keith and I are hoping to spend the week here in Ocracoke then leave for Coinjock, NC next weekend.  We will keep you up to date on the trouble we get into here on Ocracoke during the week.  We already have a connection getting us oysters for later this week and plans for a "Squeezers" party Sunday evening.