Proceeding into Florida

March 31, 2009

We sailed/motored from Beaufort, SC on Sunday March 29th passing through Skull Creek which borders on Hilton Head Island.  We proceeded through Calibogue Sound which was choppy.  The winds were again 25-38 knots.  Only a few sailboats were out on the water. Continuing up the ICW to the Savannah River where we made an incorrect turn towards Savannah instead continuing across the Savannah River through one bridge, Causton Bluff, up to Thunderbolt, GA .  Once we recognized our error, we quickly turned around. We docked overnight at Morning Star Bhaia Blue Marina. 

      Monday we waited until after 2p.m. to start out so we would arrive in daylight hours at Fernandina Beach, FL.  Instead of returning to the Savannah River, we went out the Wilmington River which ended up being quite shallow and shoaling at the entrance to the sea, requiring us to go very slowly as we proceeded out into the Atlantic in 6ft or less to 10 ft depths .  We sailed all night doing three hour watches.  Although the winds were only about 15-18 knots with 2 ft. waves, they were short and choppy.  We also had the problem of the wind becoming on our nose so we had to motor much of the way or tack the whole way every 30-60 minutes.  

      We arrived tired but safe in Fernandina Beach and got a space at the Fernandina Harbor Marina which is right at the historic downtown. We walked into town for a leisurely breakfast before showering, taking a nap and doing laundry.  We saw an internet cafe to which we returned later in the afternoon to check on e-mail and make this post.  

      I have taken pictures along the way but discovered that I forgot my cable for the camera. We bought a multi cable at Best Buy in Beaufort, but when I connected it to the computer to download my pictures, the computer did not recognize the connection.  We may look for a card reader for my camera's chip or may have to wait until I return home for Drs. appointments in late April to pick up the correct cable.  One of the realities of traveling on a boat is that you don't have a car to go on errands to get things you need or forgot.   

     May 2:   I have added more pictures.  the fort is Fort Clinch at the entrance to Fernandina Beach.  The pictures of the town are of Old Fernandina Beach which we found very pleasant. 

Church Creek Anchorage views

    

Beaufort SC views

March 27, 2009

     We put all our clothing and all the food on the boat March 24.  Charlie didn't get back home until about 8:30 p.m.  After a shower,  we were taken by our friend, Mary-Ann Becker to Vickery's on Shem Creek for some dinner before going to the boat.  We arrived at the boat about 10:30.  We had to put some of the clothing and food away just to get to bed.  

       The morning of March 25 (Wed.) we spent putting away more of the food and clothing so we could get underway.  Charlie decided that we should go in the Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW) so we could stop when we got tired.  We left Patriot's Point Marina about 12:45 Wednesday.   We stopped at Church Creek  on  the ICW about 5:30.  There were just two other boats at this pastoral anchorage.  Mary-Ann Becker told us later that night that it had been so foggy on the coast that she could not see Sullivan's Island lighthouse or even across the intercoastal connector to Isle of Palms.  We had 20 knot winds even in the ICW.  The winds calmed down during the night during which we had some light rain. 

     Thursday morning we were up early, but our departure was delayed by a Head problem which was soon fixed.  We were on our way by 0930 going south on the ICW toward Beaufort, SC.  We had winds between 25-35 knots  most of the journey.  There were even white caps on the rivers.   We just missed the 4 p.m. opening of the Beaufort Lady's Island swing bridge so we had to wait until 6 p.m. for the next opening.  We arrived at the Port Royal Landing Marina about 6:30 p.m. against a rising tidal current and 25 knot SW winds.   Our friend Marianne Mikell met us about 7:15 to drive us to dinner .  We ate a delicious meal at WREN in downtown Beaufort.

     Friday morning found us sleeping in.  We did errands such as having a propane tank refilled and some grocery shopping as well as a stop at West Marine using the courtesy truck provided by the marina.  We were even able to get online using the marina's wifi.  The marina had its Friday  Grill Out dinner on its deck which we joined this evening.  We met a number of the "live-aboards" from this marina. They were a friendly group who welcomed us.  

     We  may stay a few days as the weather is supposed to become nastier with two cold fronts coming through Sat. and Monday.  We may creep further south on the ICW. 

     I will try to post some pictures of Beaufort tomorrow.  It is a lovely town with a small but lively downtown and beautiful old historic houses.  The azaleas are blooming.   

March 23, 2007

The papers have been stopped.  The mail will be forwarded today.  Charlie finished a deck prism and a third cleat on the boat yesterday and checked out the dingy motor.    Today the boat is being pumped out and the dingy will be taken out of the water, cleaned and packed away on top of the boat.  Laundry is being completed and items iron if necessary.  I did  some last minute gardening yesterday: herbicide where needed and checked the sprinkler system again, clipping bushes where needed.  More groceries will be purchased today and hopefully stowed on the boat by evening.  Charlie is gathering together our radios, phones, cameras, and other electrical items we usually transfer to the boat.  Lots of little details to be completed!

Blue Horizon Boat "Open House"

March 21, 2009

We had a "Boat Open

 House" this afternoon at

 Patriot's Point in Mount Pleasant, SC to allow our friends who had never been on our boat to view our home on the water.  Wine,cheese, beer and other cocktail hour offerings  were consumed.  It was sunny, but the wind was very brisk and cool, but many ventured out to the dock to see our boat.  

We still have to put clothing and food on the boat as well as complete land-based activities boaters need to deal with when leaving for a long cruise.  We anticipate leaving the Charleston area this coming week and heading south.  Our first stop will be Beaufort, SC where we hope to visit a friend.