Ups and Downs

First the Ups: We woke and ate at one of my favorite restaurants on the ICW, the "Bright Morning" in Fernandina Beach. They have the best grits anywhere! We cast off the dock at 0945 and motored in high winds down the ICW to St Augustine, and arrived at 1735. We saw many White Pelicans and Egrets which are beautiful. I was hoping to get all the way to Miami without hitting bottom, but we hit at the end of Amelia Island between day marks 43 and 44. I backed off and called Tow Boat US to ask where the deepest water was. They told me to stay tight on the Red side, and we got through. We walked to a restaurant here in St Augustine to eat dinner and build up Nanc's stamina, which is improving. It is now 49 days since the last chemo. We hope to reach New Smyrna tomorrow evening.

Now the Down side: When we got back on the boat, Nanc's sister Janet called and told her her sister Jean had passed away.

Speedy

Fernandina Beach, FL

We had a super time with Beth and Steve at their club oyster roast last night. We departed the dock this morning at 0635 in fog with about 1/4 mile visibility and proceeded down the Wilmington River with a following current to make 9 plus knots to sea. We had the wind on the nose the whole way here, but made 8 knots SOG most of the way. By going out into the ocean, you miss most of the low water in southern Georgia; especially Mud River. Conditions have to be right, and the wind is picking up for the next many days, so today was the last opportunity. We tied to the dock at the City Marina at 1800. Long day, but it saved us two. We are now in Florida, and it was 80 degrees today. I ran thru sea fog with limited visibility using the radar and sounding the horn for about an hour. You have to clear a breakwater at the St Mary's Entrance Channel which extends over a mile into the ocean. Nanc is feeling better, so the water therapy is working. S

Low tides

We are still at Beth and Steve's dock, and you can see the tide range on the pilings behind the boat. When you anchor in South Carolina and Georgia, you have to be very careful to put the proper scope of anchor chain or rope out to keep your boat secure, yet safe from grounding. We ate at a bar/restaurant where Beth and Steve's son Chris works when not going to SCAD, and then to the Savannah Yacht Club for a night cap. Oysters tonight, and then we plan on going outside from here to Fernandina Beach tomorrow. S

Beth and Steve's dock

We departed Marsh Harbor Boat Works/Marina ,Beaufort,(recommend them highly) at 1045 and made the 1100 opening of the Lady Island Bridge. Ran all the way to the Wilmington River, Savannah and stopped for fuel at Thunderbolts. Used 19.65 gals for 15 hours of motoring, equals 1.31 gal per hour. We are tied up at Beth and Steve's dock, and they are having dinner on the boat tonight with us, and then we're going to the Savannah Yacht Club for fried oysters on Sat night. As we crossed the Savannah River, I received a call from a cargo carrier heading up river for the port, and I stayed clear of his path as you can see in the picture why. He was doing 18 knots to my 8. Nanc is having a good day and said she feels remarkably better. We thank God for any improvements. S

Beaufort, SC

Departed CHS Sunday morning at 0745 and sailed up and down many rivers. We started out making 10 knots SOG for the first hour and thirty minutes, but then the dreaded head currents arrived and the boat speed steadily fell until we were doing 5.4 knots up the Coosaw River. As you go thru the cuts between rivers, the speed will go up to 9 knots or better and then drop as you again fight a counter current. We arrived in Beaufort doing 9.4 knots at 1545 and are tied to the dock at Marsh Harbor Marina/Boat Works. We are hanging out here a few days, renting a car to explore, and then on to Savannah (favorite Southern city) to see Beth and Steve Westgate, ole friends from my Guard days and fellow boaters. We should be there Thur or Fri. S

Charleston, Salty dog and Hanks

Beautiful day in Charleston; 80 degrees with full sun. Boosts the vitamin D which fights cancer. We tried to take a horse and buggy trip, but had to settle for a pedicab. I cleaned the boat, and we then shopped and returned down town to eat at Hanks. One of the best restaurants in Charleston. Shrimp and grits are super and oysters on the half shell are best anywhere.Magnolias on the return trip. Down the ICW to Beaufort tomorrow for a few days rest, then points South. S

Charleston, SC, Ft Sumter and The Citadel

We pulled the anchor up at 0850; since the fog was gone, and the day was clear and beautiful. We motored into Charleston Harbor past Ft Sumter to Charleston City Marina and tied to the dock at 1020. I pumped in 47.5 gals of fuel and the tank only holds 52. I had figured we would take 45. I have 15 extra gals on deck in 5 gal cans in case I miss figure or run short. I took all the dirty items to the laundry and washed them. It is amazing how much you can dirty in 5 days. Joe departed for the airport and rented a car to drive back to Richmond and ride home with his wife Cathy. I called Brig Gen Vollmecke, who is a Citadel grad and got him to put me in touch with someone to get Nanc special seats for the Citadel Friday afternoon Pass in Review Parade.
Lt Gen Rossa, President of the Citadel, stopped and introduced himself and welcomes us. It was quite an impressive event led by bagpipes. Read Pat Conroy's "Lords of Discipline" for an idea of life at a military school. Cadets from the Citadel fired the first canon to start the Civil War. We are staying here tomorrow and shopping and eating out tomorrow night down town. Charleston is a beautiful city. S

Charleston, SC

We departed Carolina Beach at 0630 this morning and arrived just North of the breakwater into Charleston, SC at 2300 and went on anchor. The reason for anchoring was heavy fog in the harbor with visibility down to 0 feet. I had spoken to Charleston Harbor Pilots, to ascertain large ship movements, but decided it was best to anchor out, rest, and wait for the fog to lift in the morning. In low vis you have to give fog sound signals every two minutes as you proceed, and most folks do not do that or know what they mean, so the risk of a collision goes up. Where we are now, I do not believe we will have any neighbors to contend with. It may be midday before we can proceed into the harbor. We have food and rum, so who cares. Nanc is sleeping and Joe and I are having a nightcap to unwind from a long day at sea. We motor sailed the whole way, making 8.4 knots Speed Over Ground (SOG) or better most of the way down. Joe is planning ondriving back to D'ville when we can get him to the dock. Nanc and I will proceed on South until we find weather that suits our clothes. Good night to all. S

Happy Birthday Nancy

Departed Seagate Marina at 0700 this morning after refueling and being unable to take on water due to the faucet being frozen. We went outside into the Atlantic all the way to Masonboro Inlet and up to the Joyner Marina, where we are meeting an ole friend of Nanc's (Barbara Johston) We are taking Nanc out to dinner for her birthday. We will leave early in the morning to go down the Cape Fear River and back out into the ocean to Charleston, SC. The arrival there will be late tomorrow night, and we will lay up several days for some needed rest. S

Gail Butler would have loved this day

This was a scene form yesterday, which Kath posted for me. Today was long, but eventful. We departed the dock at 0705 and arrive at Seascape Marina (just above Beaufort) at 1850. Joe had to hold a search light on the bow, and we communicated via head phones; however we negotiated some night time sailing with Nanc's approval.. Motored sailed for about 5 hours, and Nanc fixed Joe and I a super dinner. We plan on refueling at 0600 in the morning and sailing outside to Wilmington tomorrow. Would like to make Southport, but that may be a bridge too far. The current will be against us in the Cape Fear River. Would like to make Charleston Thur, but who knows. Nanc is feeling better each day, and enjoying the adventure (her birthday is tomorrow.) I am also glad to be away and not thinking of what the future may be each day. Wish you all could be here with us. The weather in the enclosure was pretty nice today, and I hope that will be repeated tomorrow. Magnolias has the best shrimp, sausage and grits in the whole world. Stand by. S

Onward to Alligator River

Greetings everyone. I'm the guest poster for the evening since mom and dad are stuck in the boonies without wifi access this evening :-)

Dad reported that they departed Atlantic Marina at 0755 and transited three bridges to the Coinjock on the North River to Albemarle Sound. The wind was blowing at 25 and gusting to 35, which wasn't an issue until crossing Albemarle Sound, when the waves grew to 3 feet, or by Nance's measurement, 5 feet! They made it to the Alligator River bridge, where they made a 90 degree right turn and entered the Alligator River Marina and tied up at 1730.

Tomorrow will be a long day with a departure planned for 0600 and plans to run for 12 hours in hopes of making it to Beaufort, NC in time to have dinner at the Sanitary Fish Market. Nance continues to trend up now that she's off the antibiotics and they had a fun Valentine's Day dinner of Beef Stroganoff made with all organic ingredients. (for those of you that don't know, mom is seeing a naturopath and has gone organic along with a few other changes in hopes of building her back up and supporting her immune system)

Mom said that her wig is too hot and she's ditching it with the intention of growing hair between the Alligator River and South Carolina where they will go to dinner at my dad's favorite restaurant, Magnolia's.

Tonight they are tied up at the dock and getting ready to watch a movie-Unfaithful. What a choice for Valentine's Day, eh?! Mom said she's never seen it. I told her to report back to me with her thoughts tomorrow. hahaha Diane Lane was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in that one...

Tomorrow they should have following winds enabling them to sail instead of having to motor the whole way like they did today. Stay tuned for the next installment and Happy Valentine's Day!

We are tied up at the marina in Great Bridge, just below Norfolk. We departed the dock in Deltaville at 0818 this morning and had a very pleasant trip down the Bay to here, arriving at 1705. We passed thru several draw bridges and one lock here at Great Bridge. The winds were on the nose at about 15 knots the whole way with about 1 to 2 foot waves. I had warmed the inside up prior to departure and kept Nanc warm with Mr Heater until mid day. The sun kept the cockpit warm most of the way. Doctor Swainey text-ed me that Nanc could stop her antibiotic and she is happy and trending up. She cooked Joe and me dinner as we washed the boat and filled the water tanks and fuel tanks. We should be on the Alligator River tomorrow and Beaufort Tuesday. We saw an egret as we wound along the ICW below Norfolk. Watching Cadillac Records tonight. Hello to everyone. S

Count Down

Nanc has finished six rounds of chemo since our last trip South to the Bahamas last Winter, and she has decided not to do any more at this time. We spent a week in Myrtle Beach and decided to live each day to the fullest and head South a third time. Hence the title Recovery. It will again be cold, but I still have "Mr Heater" and Marcnicliz is ready to go back into the water. Joe Davenport (our neighbor) will start out with us for a week or so. We had put Marcnicliz up for sale after Nanc had surgery to remove her left lung and then chemo at M D Anderson in Houston. I sold the dingy and motor, and I did not believe we would ever cruise again. Nanc is amazing, and she has recovered to the point where she wants to go again. I have bought a new dingy, and we plan on departing Deltaville Sunday morning (2/13/11) and sail to Norfolk. Passing thru the bridges there is easier on the weekend with no rush hour restrictions on openings to contend with. The weather man is calling for snow on Thursday and warming by the weekend. Next week looks sunny thru about Thursday. The enclosure works fine when the Sun shines. I hope to be close to Charleston by the 17th if we can sail outside from Beaufort, NC to Wilmington, and then again outside from Southport to Charleston. Stay tuned. S