Leaving the Cape Fear River at Southport there is a 50 mile stretch of waterway with few amenities, anchorages, or marinas.  During Christmas week, we found out the hard way that all the marina's in this area were closed. Since the ICW is utilized by barge traffic and is very narrow in this area, it is not advisable to either anchor out along the side of the waterway or travel at night. Darkness approached and it seemed we would have to continue traveling. As we passed Pelican Point marina, we yelled out to a gentlemen on the dock who said we could tie up on the marina's fuel dock for the night. A sigh of relief was heard as Gypsy's dock lines were made fast and this wonderful sunset appeared.