Thanksgiving in Beaufort, SC

Day 16! We left our anchorage and found the winds to be strong out on the channel, up to twenty knots. I guess we were protected during the night after all. We thought maybe the report was incorrect. We didn't leave as early as other mornings because we couldn't get an opening of the Lady's Island Bridge on request. They are having technical difficulties and only opening at 10 AM and 2 PM. We arrived at the bridge around 3 PM, traveled up Factory Creek and dropped the hook. Diane and Mike arrived shortly after. We got together on our boat after they took Skipper for his walk. It was a quiet night.














Day 17! We woke and after talking to Diane decided we would take the 10 AM opening of the bridge instead of the 2 PM. Larry and I were going to walk to the store and get supplies but Diane's cousin offered to take Diane and me to Wal*Mart around noon. This meant I could get more supplies than when we walk. The picture shows the bridge opening for us and many other boats that were lined up including a tug on the other side. Even commercial traffic have to wait for one of the two openings. We watched as workers appeared to move heavy blocks from one side of the abutment to the other side of the abutment, then the bridge would begin to swing open. We wondered if the blocks were some kind of break to keep the bridge in place. No one seems to know when the bridge will be repaired. I'm sure the motorists are enjoying the lack of interruptions when crossing the bridge. I can't say that the sailors can say the same.

When we passed though the bridge to the other side we fueled up at the Downtown Marina and found a spot in the anchorage. When we were sure we had good holding, Larry dinghied me to shore to catch my ride. He stayed at shore to visit with Mike while he did their laundry.

Later after I returned and we showered at shore at the marina, we joined Mike and Diane at Pannini's for dinner. After a great meal and visit we went to our dinghy to return to our boat. Larry readied the dinghy motor and pulled the starting cord to find it broke in his hand. This was not good the tide was going out which meant the current was against us and he had to row. So much for the shower! Well we know what he will be doing tomorrow morning.

Day 18! Thanksgiving! We started out the day with Larry fixing the starter cord on the dinghy motor and me doing some laundry. While we were at shore we took a walk around town something we didn't have time for yesterday. The stores were all closed, of course, but it still is a quaint town to walk down the streets.

This is Larry carving our dinner. Which we enjoyed after a little dinghy trip to visit another boat a short distance from us in the anchorage, Dick on M/V Lady Hawk. We met him at Osprey Marina. He and Larry recognized each other, they had worked together back in Rochester, NY for Kodak. It sure is a small world. We are amazed at how many people we have met on our journey that we knew in our former life or were connected by someone else.

Day 19! This morning we left early. After a mild day yesterday, we were confident that we could dress light. That changed! Larry had on shorts and I had on capris. The sun faded into the clouds and we quickly put on long pants and more layers. Then the rain came and stayed with us most of the day and night. We anchored in Turner Creek just below Thunderbolt, Ga. With all the rain we and Diane and Mike opted to stay aboard our own boats. Larry and I went to bed early, morning comes quick.

Day 20! This morning it was still soggy. We left around 7 AM and traveled though the marshes of Georgia riding the current at each inlet. Sometimes it was in our favor and sometimes not. Our speed fluctuated from just below 4 knots to above 7 knots. We have learned to enjoy the ride and not be frustrated by the resistance.

We are anchored in Duplin Creek this evening. The ferry in the picture is one of the two docked at the mouth of the creek. This Island is the home of the University of Georgia Marine Institute. Our guide book says it's a great place to take a walk but we arrived just before 5 and it was ready to get dark, we'll have to take that walk next time.

Mike and Diane arrived shortly after us and we joined them on their boat for cocktails. Of course while we were there it began to rain. It was short lived and when it stopped we returned home for dinner. It's about 10 PM and we are getting ready for sleep and another long day tomorrow. Our plan is to anchor at Cumberland Island tomorrow night.

Meeting Up With Friends!

Day 13! We left our dock early this morning. Our plan was to meet up with our friends on Express Mail at Osprey Marina South of Myrtle Beach. Mike's boat is a Hunter 44 and travels at a much faster speed than does our Hunter 36. His engine is almost twice the horse power. We leave before him that way we arrive around the same time.

As we traveled today we noticed that several high rise bridges are being erected through the Myrtle Beach area. You can see from the picture one of those bridges.

This was a barge we passed by as the tug was delivering huge beams for one of the bridges. Being this close gives one an up front and personal view of how large the beams actually are.

We arrived at Osprey Marina around 4:30 fueled our boat and took a dock. Mike and Diane arrived shortly after. We finally were able to get together. That night we shared some wine and snacks on Express Mail.

Day 14! We woke before 7 AM and were on our way. The plan for today was to anchor in Awendaw Creek. We arrived around 4PM set our anchor and this time we gathered on our boat for cocktails. This picture is of Skipper he is taking a break from his long day on the water.

Day 15! This morning we woke at 6:30 AM hoping to get to our first bridge opening in good time to make the second bridge in Charleston, SC before it went on restriction. Yesterday we didn't have any bridges when we traveled past Georgetown, SC. The day before we hit all our bridges in time for each opening. One even opened early because of a commercial tug and barge.

Today we were listening to the VHF radio and the boats ahead of us were getting though the bridge shortly after they arrived. We felt we were going to be in good shape. The bridge was on request and we hailed the tender when we arrived only to be told that they had technical difficulties and it would be at least an hour wait. We dropped the anchor and waited. When the bridge was to open all the boats behind us had caught up with us including Express Mail. We knew that this delay would prevent us from getting to the anchorage we had planned with Express Mail. Mike and Diane needed to be at an anchorage with an area to walk Skipper. We'll meet back up tomorrow in Beaufort, SC.

Larry and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset at our anchorage in Church Creek. It was difficult to choose one of the many pictures I took. The water was like a mirror and if it weren't for the boat in the shot it is difficult to tell if the picture is upside down or right side up.

Winter Weather in the Carolina's!

Day 10! This morning we woke to sun but still the temps were in the thirties with a wind chill in the twenties. I'm beginning to think I never left NY. This is the kind of weather we had up in western New York in November. Even when we left Deltaville in 2005 in December we found warmer weather at this point in time.

We let loose the lines, the strong winds were on our nose and a boat was docked directly behind us. Unfortunately the dock had other plans for us and grabbed our stern line and wouldn't let it loose. With the boat in gear and the wind blowing us back at the boat behind us the line finally let loose. It was an interesting disembarking but we and our home were unharmed.

We arrived at Camp LeJeune, only to have an hour wait to transit this section of the ICW. You can see by the photo at the top we were not the only ones waiting. There were approximately five power boats and four sailboats waiting. We all anchored and one single handler was ask if he would like to raft up. While he was in the process we were told the ICW was now open and we could pass though. With all the firing and the fact that it was to last till 5 PM we decided not to anchor in Mile Hammock Anchorage. Instead with the temperatures as low as they were we took a dock at Beach House Marina in Surf City, NC. We arrived around 4PM docked and checked in and went for a walk to stretch our legs. We walked out to the ocean to check it out. It looked great but the wind chill was difficult to take. It would have been a great sail out there if you could stand the cold.

Day 11! This morning we woke to sun and less wind so the wind chill was much milder. We left the dock, less dramatic this time. Our plan was to anchor at Carolina beach for the night. We arrived at the anchorage and it was early and when Larry checked the tides we found that the current down the Cape Fear River would be with us, so we kept going. We had a reservation for a dock at South Harbor Village Marina for Friday but when we called they had a dock for us on Thursday also, so we headed their way. We arrived late, it going on 5:15 PM and the sun was setting. We docked, checked in and went for a shower. It was already getting cold and we stayed below decks for the rest of the evening.

Day 12! This morning we were sure glad we were staying put, the wind chill was almost as cold as the twenty degree day. We were waiting for our mail and wanted to clean the boat inside and out. When Larry scrubbed the deck and rinsed it with the hose the run off looked like mud. I did the laundry. We don't own many warm clothes and so we tend to wear the same things day after day. It was good to do laundry.

Our friends Mike and Diane on S/V Express Mail have caught up with us but went into Southport and so we still didn't get together tonight. We plan to be in the same marina or anchorage tomorrow night. It will be good to travel with them for a while. We have only hooked up for a night or two over the past two years.

Our plan is to leave at first light tomorrow morning. Lets hope the weather cooperates and brings some warmth.

It's Time To Get Further South!

Day 7! We rose to a definite change in the weather not favorable to sailing. The temperatures dropped and the wind howled all night long blowing the water out of the basin. When we let loose of our lines we had to hug the stern of the boats at dock in order to have enough water to get to the channel. There are no tides here but the wind plays a big factor in the water level. We had strong winds all day but the sun shone and gave us the good old greenhouse effect to keep us warm. We decided to transit across the Neuse River and anchor in the South River. Oriental, NC is on the opposite bank. We had protection from the NW winds and enjoyed our night's sleep.

Day 8! This morning we woke to mild winds when we were supposed to have much higher ones. It was a gift and we enjoyed our trip to Swansboro. We arrived at Dudley's Marina around 3 PM. We docked the boat, took on fuel and walked to the local seafood store for some shrimp. After which we took the courtesy car to the store. We took our showers and returned to the boat for the evening. The evening was calm until early morning when the winds started to blow.

Day 9! Gale winds were predicted for today so we decided it was time to take a day of rest and would stay another day. The winds continued to build though out the morning and afternoon. I looked out the window and saw white things going by the window. When I went out to take a look I saw pea sized hail, then it turned into flakes mixed with rain. The picture shows the hail by our Crocs sitting on the carpet. Now I know it's time to get further South.

This was a picture of the night sky tonight. I missed the sunset while I was up at the shower but this picture was still incredible. Back when we first started our trip in 2005 I took an incredible picture of an incredible sunset right here in Swansboro. It was so impressive people we stopping their cars to take a picture. This one is not quite as vivid but non the less still impressive.

Tomorrow we plan to leave here and travel to Camp Lejeune and anchor in Miles Hammock. Hopefully the ICW will be open and not closed as it was yesterday and this morning due to the gun firing by the Marines and the Navy.

Day Five and Six - Tornado Watch

Day 5: We woke to a soggy, wet morning, mixed with fog. We left the dock in Elizabeth City early with the intention of making it across the Albermarle Sound before the winds increased. When we reached the sound it was relativity flat and the winds we less than 10 knots and on our nose. The fog was scattered on the river and lifted by the time we reached the sound. We traveled to the far end of the Alligator River and anchored for the night. We arrived there around 4 PM in the afternoon. Our day was uneventful, which was a good thing. We were anchored out in the middle of no where along with two other boats. It got dark early and we went to bed early.

Day 6: We woke up early this morning, something we tend to do when we go to bed early. We had a short day planned.

We needed to do laundry and provision a few groceries. We had made a reservation for a dock at Dowry Creek Marina. They have a courtesy car and laundry facilities both of which we needed. We arrived around noon and fueled up then took a slip.

Our trip was short but windy we were registering up to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. We picked a good night to be at a dock.

When we arrived the courtesy car was signed out by another boater couple but they invited us to tag along. We were glad to go with them so it wouldn't make a late night for us to do laundry, besides we now have more new friends. One of the many things I like about this life. We invited them, Ian and Marlene over for cocktails before dinner, so we could get better acquainted.

Our plan for tomorrow is to go to Oriental, NC and anchor out in one of the creeks either before or just past Oriental. The weather will predict what time we leave or if we leave. Today we had tornado watches and two people we kill North of here. Tomorrow they predict high winds and thunderstorms but hopefully no tornadoes.

The picture at the top is of our mobiles. They are going away gifts from our friends Sam and Sara. Sam and Sara live aboard a catamaran with their parents Marty and Delena and are spending the Winter in Deltaville. We'll miss them but will look forward to seeing them when we arrived back to Deltaville in the Spring.

Day Two Through Four

Day Two! You can tell by the sunrise that we are starting to get into a pattern, a familiar one at that. We pulled away from our dock for the night at first light and navigated our way out the channel to the York river. As we got closer to the mouth of the river the waves were coming at us on our beam which made for a rolling ride. It was a welcome, when we made our turn and were going South. The waves were now coming at us from behind. Much more comfortable.

After arriving and navigating the James River and the Elizabeth River to the Dismal Swamp Canal, we entered our first of two locks. You can see Larry as he relaxes and tends his bow line. These locks are a joy compared to the ones we have navigated on the Eire Canal. I can say it has been a pleasure not to do the stepping and unstepping of the mast.

It was late when we exited the lock. Robert, the lock master suggested we along with the two other boats in the lock tie up on the dock just past the lock. The dock was surrounded by a park. Which after securing the boat we went for a walk.

Day Three! The next morning we all had been invited by Robert, the lock master to join him at 7:45 for coffee and danish at the lock house. Robert is the best lock master we have met.

The lock and bridge are on a schedule and we arrived for the last opening the night before. Two other boats traveling together just missed the opening by about 15 minutes and had to anchor below the lock till morning. Robert Locked them though before opening the bridge for all of us. The picture Larry took is of the boats in front of us going toward the bridge.

We took this picture of one of the boats traveling with us as they docked at the entrance to the feeder ditch. They planned to take a dinghy ride up to Lake Drummond, then stay overnight at the Visitors Center. We decided to go past the Center and attempted to make it to Elizabeth City. The current seemed to slow us down and with night fall and darkness descending upon us so soon, we opted to anchor at Goat Island. We have anchored there once before, so it was familiar to us.

Day Four! After a very calm night and long restful nights sleep we rose early to make the bridge opening at Elizabeth City by 8:30 AM. It had not started to rain yet but it was overcast and promised to do so. Our original plan was to cross the Albemarle Sound but after checking with our weather station via Sirius on our chart plotter we decided we would hold up in Elizabeth City for the day. We were clocking up to 17 knots of wind in the protection of the river so we were sure it was ugly on the Sound. We went to the city docks that are free of charge and used by many of the boaters traveling through the area. Shortly after we were secure the rains came down. We decided to walk to town in spite of the rain. Our first stop was to be at the hardware store but since or last visit to this city it had closed. Our next stop was to be at the health food store but we found the same had happened to them. We had also been informed that the fitness center that we had visited one our fist time to this city had also closed. We were glad to know that the restaurant we had been to before was still in business. We also enjoyed a visit to the museum. Our last time though it had just opened and only had one exhibit, it now had another and another will open over this next year.

While we were at the restaurant we met our neighbor boaters and realized we had met two years ago at the Visitors Center. It sure is a small world. Another boater that we met when we first started had told me that we would meet boaters and come across them again and again. It is amazing how true that has become.

We are spending a quiet night tonight and plan to be on our way again tomorrow.

Journey South - Day One

This morning we severed the umbilical cord that was our life line to the shore power and heat and cast our dock lines to begin our journey for warmer weather in the South of the US. The picture is looking back at Dozier's Marina where we enjoyed our stay for the Summer.

We had planned to leave by 7 AM. We woke and after Larry looked at his alarm and announced the time as 7:25, I said wow we must have been very tired to sleep that late. We quickly got out of bed to start the process of preparation to leave the dock. After completing several items that needed attending to I glanced at the clock and it showed 7:05. I checked my watch and it agreed. I then took a look at Larry's alarm clock to find out he had neglected to change it the week end before. We both had a good laugh and finished up our preparations and were now only 25 minutes behind our planned departure. We had a good motor on the Chesapeake. The winds were fluky and sometimes nonexistent. We had put out the jib but it just flopped around and made noise, so we took it back in.

We normally would have gone all the way to Norfolk on this first leg of our journey but had decided to take a detour and visit with boater friends that chose to stay on the Chesapeake for the winter.















I took this picture as we got off the boat at the dock here on Perrin River. Perrin River is a small river at the mouth of the York River. The tree in the picture was getting the last of the setting sun shining on it and the Fall color of it's leaves seemed to glow like precious metal. The Fall colors here are just past peak and still beautiful to look at.















This is our friends Tom and Cathie. We had met in Marathon two years ago and then crossed back to the US from the Bahamas this Spring. We will miss them this Winter but look forward to seeing them next Summer. We enjoyed a great meal at there home and a very pleasant visit.