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