Cubs and Grandcubs

We got to see Jessi, Kevin, Liam and Marshall here in Charleston.  Liam had bronchitis before they came here for Christmas.  The excitement and the carry over from his cold caused a bit of tummy upset.  He threw up all over his clothes.  Papa to the rescue!  Of course the shirt was way too big, but he  loved wearing it.  We drove over to Gene and Lynn's to change Liam's clothes. 

Liam and I went outside to the screened porch and played cars.  Here is part of our conversation:

Liam:  Grandma, are you a great grandma?
Me:  No, I'm a regular grandma
Liam: It's ok, someday you'll be a great grandma.
Me:  Thanks Lee :)

We played with cars and sea shells.  Marshall came and visited.  Of course he is tall enough that the table corner clipped him behind the ear.  He started to cry.  I picked him up, he looked at me, took a deep breath, and gave me a look that said 'thanks for picking me up, but you are NOT the person I want', I gave him to Kevin.  He was still upset, but much happier. 

Liam and I had a cheese and cracker picnic.  Marshall ate a few crackers and left. 

We got back to the boat and started to chart our route to Florida.  We plan on going down to Beaufort, SC and then out to the ocean to St John's river to Fernandina, FL.  We got a hook up from SSCA to use a private mooring in Beaufort.  We have been SSCA members for years and are finally getting to use some of the resources.  We have gone to GAM's and taken a few classes.  The GAM's have given us a chance to meet cruisers.  Everyone has been patient and answered all of our questions.  I think it is a great resource.

We are looking forward to getting out and sailing. We get a bit anxious when we have been in an area for more than three days.  We are watching the weather and picking windows.  It is so hard to be involved in land activities and at the same time, wishing we were moving and sailing.  The boat really teaches you to balance your time.  The boat teaches you patience and gives you the chance to see what is happening now.  The weather teaches you that you must slow down and look at what is happening.  The weather will not change the pattern that is coming at you.  You must change your selfish desire to go where you want, when you want.  Your artificial timelines are irrelevant to Mother Nature.  In fact, I have begun to think that EVERY time you want to make something happen contrary or on the edge of a weather window, the weather window will take control and smack you in the butt.  Don't try to fool Mother Nature.  She is much more powerful than you ever dreamed. 

Heard from our other kids.  Kylie and Tom are working hard.  They are planning on spending Christmas with Tom's mom, Mimi.  Jon is taking care of our Subaru.  Unfortunately, the clutch went out.  He had the car fixed.  It is strange having to pay for a car you aren't driving, but I am so glad that Jon is getting it in good shape for us.  Chris and Michelle are planning on spending a quiet Christmas at home.  They deserve a quiet and non stressed holiday. 

Boats are arriving in the harbor today.   A beautiful wooden ketch just tied up.  The marina is organizing a Christmas pot luck.  Ahhh...marina life is good. 

Charleston

We got a car from Enterprise yesterday.  What a treat!  We drove around got lost, and just wasted fossil fuel.  Terrestrial map reading skills have eroded.  Now if we had a chart....

We lost a fender during our trip.  We went to West Marine to buy another fender.  They wanted $100 for a *&^** fender!  West Marine is so expensive!  Need to find a better source of marine stuff.

Saw the carnival cruise ship the other day.  They have a huge parking lot and people drive their cars and park for free while on the cruise.  Might be cheaper than flying in. 



They have a Harris Teeter, a farmers market, and liquor store about three blocks away.  Harris Teeter lets you take the grocery carts back to the marina.  They come by the marina every week or so and collect them.  The farmers market is called the Vegetable Bin.  They have fresh fruits, vegetables and local products (eggs, honey) at really good prices.  People at the marina complain about the prices at Harris Teeter, but to us it seems normal.  Harris Teeter (the teets) is one of our favorite grocery stores.  They make really good fried chicken at the deli.  Going to stock up before we ocean sail to Florida.

The Maritime Center is very centrally located.  This area of Charleston is very easy to explore on foot.  The aquarium is a block north.  A free trolly picks you up there and goes to different spots in the downtown area.  They take you to the Visitors Center, where you can catch two other trollies.  It is a nice, free way to travel.  The area seems safe and well maintained.  Having fun so far.

Charleston is a working harbor.  You get to see lots of freighters, tugs, pilot boats, coast guard boats, and other ships.  The large ships cause the marina to have some wakes, but it is just part of living in a major port. 

Jessi, Kevin and the boys are on their way today.  Can't wait to see them! 

Awendaw Creek to Charleston

We have been anchoring for over 30 years.  We've stayed in good anchorages, challenging anchorages and some poor anchorages.  The Awendaw Creek anchorage was a magic anchorage. 

We rounded the mark and followed the curve to get to a wide space in the channel.  The area is part of a wildlife area.  You can see homes in the distance.  You can see towers and planes flying into Charleston.  You are away from civilization, but part of it too.  We put one anchor down.  Launched our milk jug float and settled in for the night.  We made dinner and went into the cockpit to watch the sunset.

The sun went down and the stars took control of the sky. The milky way came into view.  We saw a satellite pass over head.  Venus and Jupiter put in an appearance.  We laid down in the cockpit and just marveled at the sky.  Words cannot describe the awe felt at that moment.  It was like a treasure.  It had always been here, but hidden.  We heard some noises like horses snorting.  I thought at first there were wild ponies swimming around us.  Matt laughed, he said, those are dolphins.  We knew we should get some sleep, but didn't want to miss a minute.   The full moon rose.  Sure, some of the stars were lost by the brightness of the moon, but it was a new act of the nightly play.  We finally got some sleep at about 1am until the sun rose for the closing act of the play at 6:30am. 

We hated to leave and pullup anchor, but we wanted to get on to Charleston.  We waved good bye to a wonderful, special place.  We have been through some major trials and tests these past three years.  At the time when you are questioning has all the pain been worth it, the universe answers with a perfect moment.  It feels as if God, the holy spirit, or whomever says Yes, you did learn, You did grow, and Yes, it was worth it. 

We passed through Anderson ville, the site of the notorious civil war prison.  It seemed such a cruel thing to put a horrible place in a beautiful setting.  The birds were flying and feeding.  Fisherman were getting the days catch and kayaks were exploring.  We had to watch for a few shallow places, but managed to find enough deep water. 

The Ben Sawyer bridge was the last challenge before we reached Charleston.  We timed the opening with the boat speed and had no wait time.  The area around Isle of Palms was built up and busy with motor boats speeding around.  They gave us a funny look when we were only doing 3.8knts.  We calculated what speed we need so we arrived at the bridge without the need to do donuts or other stalling techniques.  We hailed the bridge tender.  She let us know that indeed we would be able to get the 1pm bridge opening, and if we sped up she would open the bridge on demand.  The Ben Sawyer has restricted hours in the morning and afternoon, but will open on demand at other times.  So much for the guidebooks! 

We entered Charleston harbor.  It was wide and well marked.  We found the marina, the Charleston Maritime Museum Marina, and followed their direction to our slip.  We turned into the slot in their bulkhead and were shot through the opening.  The current, almost slack tide, grabbed the boat and accelerated her into the marina.  Got control and pulled into the dock.  I'll give it an A.  No carnage and we looked like we knew what we were doing.  We got tied up and were greeted by Ginger and Barbara.  They said they are the official greeters of the marina.  What a lovely way to start. 

Anchored and then Georgetown

Left Osprey Marina and headed for Thoroughfare Creek.  The creek was wide and deep.  Those are two words I have not been able to use when describing our trip down the ICW so far.  I know it is unreasonable to expect that the waters here would be like the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.  But as a sailor you get comfortable with the knowns.  The biggest thing you don't learn is the tides and currents.  The Bay has tides and currents, but they are easily discounted.  Anchoring in a tide and current area is all different.  Our two anchor bouys (1/2 gal milk jugs filled with dollar store play foam), worked great.  We knew where our anchors were as we turned with the tides.  We tracked our locations and did not stray from the expected path.  First night Matt got little sleep, but he enjoyed himself with ipod listening, radio stations, book radio and nite time NPR.  Cell reception was lacking, but XM provided entertainment.  Bought a Wilson Sleek cell signal booster from Amazon.  The iphone went from no bars and E to two bars and 3G.  Matt's Nokia phone did not get any signal.  Might be time to get him a new phone.

Duck hunting was in full season.  Of course hunters were prowling the creeks at 0 dark early am.  Very glad we had a boom height solar anchor light visable.  Turned on our 12V cockpit light for extra visability.  Duck hunters are not looking for an anchor light 60 feet off the water.  The hunters were so courteous.  They slowed down so they wouldn't throw a wake on us. 

One thing I love about being on anchor is cooking.  I made a pot roast with potatoes, onions, freeze dried green beans and barley.  Low and slow cooking.  Warms up the cabin and them warms up your tummy.  We usually turn on the generator once in the am and once at night.  Got pretty cold, so we turned on the generator and then the heat.  The generator only uses about a quart of diesel an hour.  It charges the batteries, heats water and runs the heat or ac as the season dictates. 

We stayed two nights and made our way to Georgetown.  We stopped at a marina, Harborwalk.  Buy two nights, get the third free.  So of course we are staying three nights.  Got the boat tied up, will give the effort at C+, not our worst docking, but not our finest either.  Got on the internets and saw that Martha Warner wrote on my Facebook wall that she heard us on the radio .  She and her hubby were anchored in Georgetown!  I have only met Martha through CruiserForum, Facebook and this blog.  They were planing on leaving early in the am so we chatted on the phone for a while.  Cruisers are the best people ever.  Met two people in Georgetown from the Galesville area that knew some of the folks we have sailed with.  You have to remember that Galesville only has 235 full time residents, but about 600 boat owners in the various marinas.  It is a small town that houses traveling souls.  Maryland is a very people freindly state.  They have implemented the Affordable Health Act.  A Maryland state resident can get health care through the state at a resonable and affordable cost. 

On the way down to Georgetown we saw a male and female pair of bald eagles.  Made a detour to get some good pictures.  We were traveling down the Waccamaw River at a speed of 5.8 knts only pushing the engine at 1700 rpm, when we turned into Georgetown against the tide, current and wind we dropped to 2.0 knts.  It felt like the boat was dragging a tree or something.  Glad to get into the protected water of Georgetown.  The town looks small and friendly.  We got some exploring to do.  I made last nights dinner as we were traveling.  Pork loin and saurkraut, onions over rice, barley mixture.  Put everything in the oven and let it cook slowly.  You arrive and you have food.  Hate being tired from a days sail and then have to eat sandwiches.  Might even have dinner out tonight.  

Here are some of the pictures we took a the anchorage and the trip to Georgetown.  Almost to Charleston to see Jessi, Kevin, Liam and Marshall.  So excited for Christmas.

Life is Good Today

The storm passed through right on time.  Lots of wind and very little rain.

We did the laundry yesterday and were hanging around the marina office.  A 30-35 ft motor boat came into the gas dock.  A Tow Boat followed the boat.  There seemed to be an exchange of papers.  The motorboat finished filling up and paid for the fuel.  The Tow Boat got a call and left.  Everything looked like a usual boat/marina transaction.  As soon as the Tow Boat rounded the channel, the motorboat reved up and sped out of the fuel dock throwing a wake on the marina.  This was the first time we saw a boat take off hell bent for leather.  Miles at the dock didn't say anything.  Seemed a bit strange.

The phone rang in the marina office.  This is the side of the conversation we heard.

Hello, yes the Tow Boat and the other boat were here.
No, they are not here now, they left.
No, I don't know where they went.
No, they didn't leave together.  Yes, the Tow Boat left first.
No, I don't know where they went.
Yes, if they come back, I'll have them call you.

Apparently the boat was supposed to be taken and repossessed.  I hope they find a nice hideaway.

We are waiting for a cell signal booster to be delivered by UPS. We like being self sufficient, but hate having dropped calls.  We have the ssb and sailmail through the ssb and use it when there is no cell signal.  We try to keep in touch with family and friends.  I think having a social network of people you love and care about makes you a sane and more caring human being.  I like knowing that our elderly parents, our kids and grandkids and friends can get in touch with us.  It would be a bit lonely without being able to communicate.

We have picked out a few potential anchorage spots. Will get the dingy down and go exploring.  It is rumored there are some plantation homes to see.  Some have restaurants attached.  For some reason we have been on a dingy diner tour.  We like to find small, local restaurants and try their fried chicken.  I have tried to make fried chicken.  Never got a good batch either on land or on the boat.  But these local places have the best fried chicken.  I've even been taking pictures.  I might have to make a rating spread sheet.

We have been listening to Zac Brown Band for the past few days (he sings about chickens, fried and other...hummmm) and one of his song themes is that Life is Good Today.  Seems like a good boat matra.

Turtles!

Osprey Marina

Sitting here in the sunshine and short sleeves is great.  We had a back porch made for the boat.  We can't believe we didn't have it made sooner.  We roll up parts and let the breezes pass through.

The trip to Osprey Marina was beautiful.  We went from the 'rock pile' to part of a meandering creek.  The marina is 1/4 mile off the ICW, so the water is calm.  We used to take our kids camping when they were young.  We went to all the state parks in Missouri and we always looked for the 'good' camping spot.  Osprey Marina is the good spot.  We were greeted by Miles.  He pointed to the spot he wanted us to place the boat.  It looked wayyy too small.  But he guided us into the spot.  Never knew parallel parking skills would be used docking the boat.  They gave us a golf cart to use.  The harbor is quiet and surrounded by nature.  We saw some lizards and baby goats.  Jessi, our daughter, said we couldn't take any pictures holding a lizard.  She said she told Liam, our grandson, that he couldn't pick up lizards.  If Liam saw us holding a lizard, well you know, if Grandma and Papa can hold lizards....I think Jessi is still a little miffed at PaPa since he taught Liam how to spit off the tall sliding board.

We are staying a while to restock some groceries, do some laundry and clean the boat.  It is amazing how dirty the boat can get when you are always traveling.  We waxed the boat before we left and are really glad we did.  It is alot easier to clean. 

We are entering the wacamaw river area.  We are planning on anchoring and putting the dingy down and doing some exploring.  We have started seeing boats that we passed or they passed us as we travel to different places.  Everyone seems to be on their own time table.  It feels like we are part of a traveling town. 

This part of South Carolina seems to be doing fairly well economically.  Miles took us to the store today and there seemed to be lots of construction. 

Matt is enjoying letting me take him all around the compound in the golf cart so he can take pictures.  They gave us an electric cart, but I wore out the battery after one day so they gave us a gas powered cart.  Having too much fun goofing around to get the cleaning done.