Saturday - Much longer day today, traveled 71 miles. Two other boats left about the same time we did, Last Dance and Next to Me. We passed a cargo ship. It's size in comparison to us is almost scary sometimes.
Passed Hilton Head on our way to Beaufort, SC. We heard there was a golf tournament and the slips that went normally for $2/ft were now $8/ft. Just rumor but I wouldn't doubt it. They are certainly proud of their fuel.
After getting the props overhauled, we were a little skiddish about shallow water. Had read that there were shallow places along the ICW just north of Beaufort, SC. The other two boats tied up in Beaufort at the marina for a few nights. We wanted to push on and anchor out since we'd been in a marina for several days already. The closer we got to the reported "skinny" water, the more apprehensive we were. After stopping and anchoring, trying to decide what to do, we opted to return to the mooring area close to the marina and anchor there. So back we went. For some reason, it just didn't feel right and we were too close to shore. Not wanting to get blown into shore or having the anchor drag, we decided to be safe rather than sorry and went into the marina.
As we were getting settled, Ginny from Free 2 Be came by and invited us for a drink on their boat. We needed to check in but thought we'd just be a few minutes at their place. A few minutes turned into 45 minutes. Our time with them was valuable as they shared many of their experiences on their first time around. Leaving their boat we noticed the boat Emerald Lady behind Free 2 Be. These folks had been dock neighbors at KenLake where we started the loop. Dick and Nancy are great people and we hadn't seen them for close to a year, I'd say. We walked over as Dick was washing down the boat. He didn't recognize us. Nancy came out and we started talking. It took them a few minutes and then Dick said, the "bee people". Then it all came back. We said we need to check in and they invited us to come back by.
Off we went, through the gate, across the parking lot to the office. It was closed. We wanted to walk so took off along the river. The houses were incredible. Antebellum style homes, huge, beautiful gardens and lovely porches. Good to be out and about. Back to the gate to the marina and we realized we didn't know the code to get back to our boat. So we waited for someone to come out to let us in. It took about 10-15 minutes but someone did finally come by and let us in. We went back by Emerald Lady and talked for an hour. It was so good to catch up with them.
Sunday - I went to the office first thing to check in. Easter morning. A couple, with an English accent, were also checking in. They were on the sailboat, named Hurah, docked by us. The woman in the office was older. Come to find out, she is 85 years old and moving slower but still about and cheerily working this fine morning.
We cruised through the part of the river that was concerning without incident. It was high tide so that made us more confident that it wouldn't be an issue. Short day, only 27 miles. We anchored at the South Edisto River.
Jerry decided to take the dinghy off the bow and put the it on the davits at the stern.
Monday - Beautiful day for a cruise. The same old stuff along the shore, marsh, marsh and more marsh. We hear some radio chatter about passing a dredge. When we finally get there it's bigger than we thought it would be.
We passed this house and several others like it. I liked the style
Check out the length of the dock, it looks to be about 1/4 mile long. There are more and more of these types of docks along this stretch.We arrive at Charleston City Marina about 2 pm today. This place is incredible. It's known as the "home of the megadock". We are lined up with other boats our size along with mega yachts. The walk to the parking lot for us is almost 1/4 mile and we aren't at the end of the dock. Here's a picture from their website.
The good thing about this place is that downtown Charleston is within walking distance. Also there is a van that will take us to the grocery store and West Marine as well as to downtown.The next day, Tuesday, we took the van to West Marine. It didn't leave until 11:00 and would pickup at 12:30 so we had about an hour or so to kill there. This was also a grocery stop for others. The van was filled beyond the number of seats available, most were after the grocery store. Jerry wanted to check out the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) with a fiberglass bottom. He's been looking for awhile because the one we have has an inflatable bottom and also has a leak or two. It works but for long term, we really need something more reliable.
Back to the boat and we take off for Coopers Landing Marina another, cheaper one as we need to make a run to Atlanta to pick up glasses that Jerry ordered from Costco in Alpharetta. They wouldn't ship them anywhere but the store he ordered them at and the wait was 2 weeks. Oh well, get to see the grandbabies one more time. Coopers Landing is definitely not the fanciest place but works for our purpose.
We passed several tour boats going or coming from Fort Sumpter. Also a cargo ship that we are sure we passed as we were leaving Thunderbolt.
Coopers Landing Marina is just past this beautiful bridge.
There is, what looks to be, a Maritime museum off to the right before we get to the bridge. An aircraft carrier is there with several different types of aircraft on its deck. We didn't make it over there but heard it's a good museum.We made arrangements to rent a car. They came to the marina to pick us up on Wednesday morning. The young lady picking us up got a call from the office shortly after we got in the car. They thought she should have been back and she said something like, it's a long way out here. And it was. There is no easy way to get there. Once we got the car, we took off for Atlanta. It's about a 5 1/2 hour drive. We got the glasses and ran some other errands. Made it back to April's house in time to see the kids before they went to bed. I couldn't believe how Harper had changed in just a couple of weeks. Her little cheeks have filled out. She is just a sweet little girl.
Thursday, we waited for traffic to clear and took off for the boat. When we returned, did a grocery store run. Another boat had come in while we were gone. It was Hurah, the British couple we had seen in Beaufort, SC. Jerry invited them by for a glass of wine. Looking out by the bridge, I saw smoke coming off the water. We turned on the news to see what was going on, nothing was being reported. Jerry turned on the handheld radio and heard the Coast Guard report a boat on fire. Four people were on board but were rescued by a passing boat. The news finally caught up with what was going on but it took them longer than I thought it would.
What a fascinating and delightful couple, Angie and David. She sailed by herself from Australia to Jersey which is north of France, their home, one of their homes. The other is in Guernsey, another little island north of France. David is a doctor and worked with Doctors without borders. They have sailed together around Africa, Australia, South America and up through the US to Charleston, so far. We really enjoyed hearing about their adventures.Friday, we returned the car and just hung out on the boat. Washed it down, cleaned inside and just relaxed. Angie invited us over for a drink before dinner. They have a lovely sail boat.
Saturday, Jerry decided we were going to buy the dinghy from West Marine. He spent most of the morning working out the deal. In between his calls, he caught these birds on the dock.
At first we couldn't figure out what kind they are, but we finally decided they were Killdeers. That was weird too since we aren't in Kansas anymore Toto.Jerry got a good deal on the boat AND he got someone from the store to deliver it to the marina. A couple of guys from the marina helped him carry it to the boat.
Before this boat showed up Jerry found a young man at the marina that was obviously pinching pennies. He bought the old dinghy. Jerry gave him the lowdown about the leaks and he said he likes to fix things, so it worked out and everyone was happy.
Angie and David had rented a car and were driving to New York to catch a flight home for a few weeks. She brought me the veggies they hadn't eaten so they wouldn't go to waste while they were gone.
Got the boat ready to take off the next day.
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