Beaufort to Savannah to Walburg Creek

We have come a long way.  We left the cute little town of Beaufort heading for Savannah.  We now are winding through many rivers, cuts and creeks.  Gone are the long straight canals where you just set the autopilot and go.  But the scenery is better.  We are still in marshes but in Georgia now there are trees almost to the water with marshes in front of them.   Oh, and before I forget again, we are seeing dolphins several times daily as we head south.  They love to come up right in front of the boat.

Yesterday we stayed in Savannah, GA.  What a neat town!  Very historical and the waterfront uses all the same buildings that were built in the 1700 and 1800's.  Back then they were bars, guess what they are now. . . You guess it, pubs.  Touristy but neat to walk through.  However, Savannah is pricey.  Moorage was 2.50-3.00/ft and it's rolly because there are no breakwaters.  Dock just lies along the edge of the river.  Also, Savannah is one of the busiest ports on the east coast and all those ships have to go up the river past the moorage.  The river is not very wide.  We met one of these ships as we turned onto the river and there is barely enough room between the markers for the ship itself.  Then while we were walking around town, more ships came in.  Get a load of this!

Watching the ships is a favorite pastime of the tourists.  That and the candy factory where we watched this guy make salt water taffy.

After a very rolly night as ships left Savannah all night, we left there this morning and made our way further south and are now anchored in beautiful Walburg Creek.  There is an incredible deserted beach at the north end of St. Catherine's Island, which is a barrier island, so the ocean is just right there.

 Molly and I played frisbee on the beach till she was tuckered out and then Jon and I watched this beautiful sunset.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Isle of Palms and Charleston

We have been busy.  We spent 3 days with Paul and Janette Gifford at their beautiful home on the beach at Isle of Palms.  What a wonderful setting.  How would you like to get up each morning and walk down the boardwalk to the beach and stroll the beach?  Jon and I sure enjoyed it and Molly, well, need I say more.  The beach was calling to her every morning and every night.  It is a beautiful beach to walk and a great one for frisbee jumping.
Below is a picture of Gifford's house, then I turned around and took a picture of  the beach.

Boy Molly was tired after playing frisbee on the beach

AND Covered in sand!!  But she sure had fun

While with the Giffords we did some sightseeing.  We went to Boone Hall Plantation which is the oldest working plantation in the country.  They still plant and grow all kinds of veggies.  The Live Oak trees that line the entrance to Boone Hall are 270 years old and can live to be 470 years old

One of the traditions of Charleston is the Sweetgrass Baskets woven by African Americans.  I think these baskets are beautiful but they aren't cheap.  Try in the hundreds!

Well, after our visit with the Giffords, Jon left to go back to Seattle to work for a few days and I stayed in Isle of Palms on the boat with Molly.  Every morning we had to go to the beach.  She literally drug me there! I went and did some sightseeing on my own in Charleston and walked all over the town.  Then just when I thought it was going to be a lonely week, our Canadian friends showed up.  Karen and I went to Drayton Hall Plantation one day.  This one was different from Boone Hall in that the house has been preserved (not restored) in its original state.  We were both amazed that all those generations of Draytons decided to let this beautiful piece of property remain in its original state, no electricity, no plumbing in the house and it was eventually sold to a Trust who preserves it today.  One interesting fact is that at one point in the 1700's, I believe, it was against the law to have a kitchen in your house because of all the house fires.  So the kitchens were in an outbuilding next to the house, far enough away so as not to catch the house on fire.

So now we are up to today.  After visiting Charleston and surrounding areas and visiting again with our Canadian friends, we are on the move again.  Today we made our way from Isle of Palms to Beaufort, SC.  The landscape has changed somewhat again.  We went through the marshes and between Charleston and Florida, we wind our way through various rivers, creeks and cuts.  For much of the trip it has been long straight canals but now we are literally winding our way south.  In trying to put our routes together for the next few days, I found it difficult sometimes to know where to go.  On the charts there is a magenta line that denotes the ICW but sometimes when you get into a good size river, the line disappears and you have to do some searching in the charts to find where it picks up again.  Fortunately, it's usually pretty well marked.  Just follow the red triangles and the green squares.  Tomorrow we're off to Savannah!

Myrtle Beach to Georgetown SC

Well, the last few days have been eventful.  After Jon hurt his hand we spent the night at the fuel dock waiting for him to get stitched up, watched the casino boat dock in the narrow waters and then left at the crack of dawn.  His hand has been pretty painful the last 2 days so we took it easy yesterday, arrived at Myrtle Beach at probably 10am and just walked around Myrtle Beach and Barefoot Landing.  Barefoot Landing is a huge tourist trap with every tourist shop known to man, but since it's not in season we could walk around comfortably.  There are some good things about travelling so far out of season.. . No crowds, always plenty of dock space and anchoring room.  BUT the downside is that out here, literally nothing is open!  We are finally starting to see signs of life since Wrightsville Beach but still limited activities going on.  At least people are out and about and marinas are open.  No more extreme winterizing.  There was one thing we would have really liked to see and that was the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach.  Unfortunately, they were closed.  We did walk around it but the club and the restaurant were closed.  Bad timing on our part.

Jon's in heaven though because hot wings are a big thing down here.  Last night we had 8 for 8 which was 8 chicken wings for 7 bucks and then they bring you 8 more.  So guess what we had for dinner.

Since we left the Cape Fear River a couple of days ago at Southport NC, we have been in what is affectionately called "the ditch".  This is how we get to Charleston.  The landscape along the ditch has changed considerably as we have traveled down it.  First there was small towns, then as we hit Myrtle Beach we found very large expansive homes with long docks extending into "the ditch", a dock 3 stories high with a boat lift and both sun and shade decks, large staircases up to the 2nd floor of the house (don't want too much on the ground floor because of hurricanes and rising water), a rooftop sun deck; some very ostentatious.  Then we hit Myrtle Beach (tourist trap) and today we went through the Cypress Swamp.

At least it was a little more interesting to look at.  I couldn't get over the birds nests on the daymarkers

We have been seeing a lot more birds since we entered "the ditch".  Oh and, by the way, I've never seen so many day markers.  The entire ICW is marked with red and green daymarkers.  The problem is sometimes they decide the river is going downstream and the markers reverse.  Just enough to make it interesting.  We have been keeping the Skipper Bob book in front of us the entire time because it's very good at noting where all the shoals are (well, maybe not all of them!), telling us what to expect at the bridges (which are numerous) and where the good anchorages are (although I must say, we are incredibly spoiled in the PNW with our quiet coves to anchor in.  Here you just make your way up a creek off the ICW and hope for the best).

Tonight we're in Georgetown, SC.  Headlines in the newspapers are touting presidential candidates that stopped in Georgetown during their travels through SC.  This is a nice little town with some interesting history of settlement in the early 1700's and Washington coming through here when he was president to be entertained by one of the town stewards.  Lots of southern style homes with the well furnished big front porch.  My family will remember those front porches.  Remember, Kitty??

Tomorrow we're off to Isle of Palms to visit with the Giffords.  We're looking forward to that!  Next week Jon will return to Seattle for a few days of work and I'll tour Charleston.  I'm going to check in with our friends on the new Kadey Krogen and see if they will be making their way to Charleston next week.  They're at least a few days behind us but they have until June.  

Jan 16, 2012 Wrightfield Beach NC to Calabash Creek SC.

start:  mile 283 / 0900 / 467.32 /genset@60 /
Lot of no wake zones  kept our speed down but we made it. MLK day
pics along the way, sunk boat at dock and 100's of opulent homes.  The docks here stretch for at least 100 yds from the house across the marsh and into the ICW.

slowed down at the creek but backed off and anchored ok.
Launched the dingy and took Molly to town.. not much there.
the dinghy is pretty bad.  anyone want a boss boat with mariner 15hp ?
got back to boat and decided to put bridle on anchor chain.
while unkinking the chain i kneeled on the anchor up.
sucked my hand into windlass, ouch, couldn't pull it out, reversed windless , whew.
up anchor off to seacoast med center for 32 stiches.
Stayed at fuel dock and good night at the hurricane bar.  Talk about local color!
 end: mile 342 / 1800 / 474 / genset 63
Long night for Jonny

Jan 13,14 and 15th in North Carolina

Been a long three days but we are making way once again.
Met some great folks from Ontario, Canada hobnobbing around in a 46 Kady Krogen.  Gorgeous boat that we had a pot luck on 13th and dinner at Georgies on the 12th.  The wind was howling on the night of the 13rh, over 40kts at 0400.. Yeow.  A 45 foot sailboat came in with all hands frozen stiff.  I did get the sea king working and I am amazed how it can lock on to a signal and not drop it.
Jan 14th we motored from Belhaven to Morehead City, NC.  We slowed to a stop 3 times as the ICW is really shoal in many spots.  I am getting really good at backing up.  
A duck blind in the ICW going from Moreshead to Wrightsville Beach.

Pulled into Wrightsville Beach SeaPath Yacht club and was able to use the courtesy car to get groceries, west marine run and a hardware store.  Only slowed once today.. Marine patrol said I was going a little fast past the boat launch and he was right.  Did not see the ramp till we were on it.  Gave him the first timers excuse and it worked pretty wells.  In any case we are off to South Caroling tomorrow.  80 miles pre day is pretty taxing as you have at most 10 hours per day to motor.  We cruise at 9-10 kts.  We will see how it goes as Molly gets a little anxious every time we slow down.  We are experiencing a lot of current as we go through sounds and Estuaries.  Tides are still pretty minimal as far as Seattle tides are but in Georgia they increase considerably (9ft) and then fade back on going into Florida.  We will see.

Jan 11 & 12, 2012 Little Croc River to Bellhaven NC

Quite the canal after the little crocodile river 21 miles of canal at 15 ft of depth.  Started right off with a 14 foot bridge (we at 13'4") but we cleared easily by a foot.  Pretty overcast all day and got a little lumpy when we pulled in to Bellhaven Waterway Marina around 1500.  We went to the local hardware store and grocery and picked up a few items.  Raining continously.  I did get the sea king HDTV antennae working and we watched Fox news for the first time this month. Around 2030 (8:30PM Bob) a sailboat pulls in is all crossed up in the narrow marina parking.  After and hours of cursing, yelling and praying he tied up in front of us.  So we went down for the night.
Jan 12 morning, blowing Gale force winds in Palmico sound wo we hang it here at the dock and have frosties.
Remember that sailboat, He is aground at the dock.  What is your draft again ?  Trying to get him out of here he overreved his enging and it started puking oil in the water.  Dockmaster did not like that.  I have this fear i will be asked to tow is ass out of here and so I will stanby.
Bellhave pics follow

There for by the grace of God go I...

I think he busted an oil ring and will need a 'rebuild'

o    gotta go

Jan 11, 2012 Little Croc River to Bellhaven NC

Nice quiet start from the locks and down the ICW through a number of bridges that we cleared by at least a foot.  Kinda wierd going under a bridge and being able to touch the bottom as cars zoom by overhead. Going from North Landing river to Currituck sound (shaaaaloooow) , cross Albermarle sound and down to the Little Crocodile River which was one big mangrove swamp.  Got out the dingy, actually started right up after I jury rigged a deadman for the outboard.  Interesting town on the way was Coinjock that was in decline.
Coinjock

Little Croc River at dawn

Heading out to Bellhaven at milepost 132
For those following Molly she had her first time swim step relief moment... GOOD GIRL

Always a pleasure

Yorktown VA to mile 12 on the ICW 1/8 & 1/9.

We left Deltaville around 0800 and found a mooring buoy at Yorktown.  You remember that Yorktown was where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.  Actually Cornwallis was allegedly ill and had his 2nd in command surrender to General Tom Nelson, Washingtons 2nd.  Got the dingy off the top of of the boat and into the water without too many problems.  Then I tried to get Mariner 15HP fuel line replaced and try to start.  Problem is the dead man ring was inoperative.
So raised up the dingy and moved to the Yorktown floating dock.  Marinas and docks run a lot more on the East Coast, instead of .75 foot your get to pay 1.75.  o wells.
Here are some of the historical pics from Yorktown.

Leaving Yorktown around 0800 we headed for Norfolk VA and the Mile zero start of the ICW.   Yes sir down the Elizabeth River by 4 aircraft carriers and about 30 ships of the line we started going under bridges of varying heights and to the locks.  Some of the sights along the way.  Pretty Seattle all the way from Yorktown, rainy and 40 degrees.  So after a long day of Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk Naval Yard, downtown Norfolk, 5 bridges and one 2 foot lock we rest.

Soloman Island to Deltaville

We are now in Virginia.  One state down, several more to go.  The weather was great today, 60 degrees and sunny.  About as calm as it gets on the Chesapeake

Of course, no shakedown cruise is complete without fixing the head.  So guess what!  Jon learned all about vacuflush heads today.  With no head we decided to go further than originally planned and pulled into Deltaville. Deltaville has about 6-7 marinas in one area and many boat guys.  The people at Walden's Marina were very helpful, helped us troubleshoot and Jon was able to fix it himself.  We purchased a few spare parts to have on hand for the next time and sat back and hoisted a few.

We are starting to see signs of life.  Yesterday we were in Solomon's Island and it was completely dead.  Even the Tiki Bar was empty

I've included a couple of history signs in Solomons Island.  Oyster packing, fishing and ship building date back to 1680

Today we saw a couple boats out on the bay and here at Deltaville there are a few people working on their boats.  Deltaville was hit very hard by the hurricane and are glad to be back up and running.  A lot of covered moorage with all new roofs and some new walls.

Tomorrow we are headed for Yorktown.  Supposedly there is a free shuttle to Colonial Williamsburg.  The way people hibernate in the winter around here, though we'll see if it's up and running.  Then it's on to Norfolk and Mile Zero of the ICW.  We're getting closer.

Oh and Molly seems to be settling in nicely.

First Travel day Annapolis to Solomon Island.

After four long days getting the boat ready we left the dock at Annapolis at 0800 this morning.  There was about a 10 knot wind and 1 foot chop.  No problems as we motored the 48 miles to Solomon Island.  Fueled up and walked the town...It was a lot like a ghost town, everything is closed but fuel dock.  Took a while just to get the dock master to the pier.  I know more about this boat over the last four days than in the first 3 years on dotgone.

Met some good ole boys trying to salveage a sunken fuel tank over on the dark side of the marina.  Nothing like the stars and bars on your front license plate.  Sounds like a song Chuck.

12/31-1/2/12 Gettin the boat Ready

New Years eve and a big fireworks display at the sailyard in Annapolis.  Had a little bubbly, toasted our friends and family and went right to bed.  Pretty much nothing worked on the boat, no DC, some AC, but pretty sparse.  Of course if i knew then what I know now life would have been a lot better.  The DC breakers on sea view are a little cryptic.  You hit the reset, that drops the breaker you don't really see and then you pull up the lever and wala... you have power.  Today was big time productive, Kevin the boat guy really brought me up to speed and said i was a great assistant.  Installed a new Xantrax charger / inverter, debugged the wiring, checked out shore power, genset power and DC connects.  Got the heater working and now pretty set to go.Still need to get outboard going, fill up with diesel and provision for a week.  Molly is doing wells but is REALLY out of her element and misses Cosmo and Charly.  Patti is planning the first 4 days of the trip on Chesapeake Bay and I am assisting there too.  We got a wifi camera so more pics coming soon.  So we are at 80% go which is way ahead of where i was on Saturday.  If all works out we will leave Annapolis on Friday Morning heading for Solomon Island Saturday night. Sonnys Bday is Sunday so pre happy birthday.
Pics of Annapolis tomorrow as we prepare for the trip.  Hasta La Bye Bye