Wow, time got away from us – and no post recently.   

We arrived in Georgetown, SC on Wednesday (11/13) and decided to stay a week. The weather was cold and rainy, and, I must admit, I’m a bit of a sloth (a grumpy sloth) when I’m cold and wet. If I’m going to be freezing, I want skis on my feet. Ugh! Michael handles the weather much better and takes the dogs for their doggie business several times a day. I, on the other hand, didn’t even leave the boat for two days straight. The sun finally came out and it warmed up a little on Sunday, so we walked the town and darling neighborhoods. Sunshine feels so good.

Monday we Ubered to Piggly Wiggly. The one-and-only Uber picked us up but said he couldn’t retrieve us when we were done because he was going to Charleston to work for several hours – more money to be made there. When we completed our shopping, we had the one Georgetown cab pick us up. A delightful and funny driver arrived telling us he moved to Georgetown from New York. Said he loves Georgetown and described it as a lot like “Mayberry” complete with sheriff and deputy Barney Fife. Says there’s no need to get in a hurry here in Mayberry – won’t do you any good. He also mentioned he told his “mama” that, here, the ladies walk on the sidewalks carrying pocket books and they actually have cash money in them, unlike in New York, where they were afraid to carry cash for fear of getting mugged. He was a hoot and well worth the $7.00 (plus tip) ride back from the Piggly Wiggly which ended up being cheaper than UBER.

On Wednesday (11/20) morning just before 5:00 we heard a commotion outside and got up to investigate to find a “ship” about 100 feet long docking right in front of us. Her sister ship of about 85 feet was also docking along side us. It was still dark, there was a lot of shouting and flashlights shinning all over the place as they were trying to tie up in a space too small for them. Michael went over to help. He was quite surprised when he saw that none of the crew knew how to make a proper “cleat hitch”. They were mooring on the corner of our dock, the fuel dock and the “little” (85 foot) boat ended up overlapping the transom of the “BIG” boat in order to tie up.

Since we were already wide awake, we decided to leave Georgetown at 7:00 for St. John’s Yacht Harbor in Charleston, SC. It was an easy seven and one-half hour cruise arriving around 2:30. It’s a lovely marina but nothing within walking distance so we decided to leave the next morning (Thursday 11/ 21) for Beaufort, SC.

It was a lovely sunny and cool morning as we released our lines about 7:55. The scenery was beautiful as we passed by predominately marshland backed by groves of tall pines and stately moss-covered oaks. We wound through several coastal inlets causing our speed to vary greatly – sometimes going seven knots then up to ten knots and back down again – all current/tide related. Interesting and beautiful.

Arriving at Beaufort Downtown Marina in Beaufort, SC around 2:30, we found lots of people on the docks socializing and enjoying the waterfront. Once settled we checked in and walked to the vibrant town just steps away. Lots of folks milling around enjoying the Christmas music and decorations and doing their Christmas shopping.  Wow, what a great spot. We took another walk by Michael’s forefather’s family home which was built in 1792, and found it was much easier to view at 70 degrees instead of the 100+ we experienced last summer.

Friday (11/22) we did boat chores and had a diver clean Scout’s bottom again. The diver reported that we must have hit something along the way and did some damage to the prop. Ugh! Michael noticed more vibration than usual in the last few days underway. We’ll need to get hauled out again for the repair and check for other damage. Later in the afternoon we took Scout-About out for a spin and chatted with all the boaters coming and going on the dock. Quite fun! Saturday (11/23) I spent most of the day at the hair salon getting a “re-do” and painted toes. Ahhh….Feels good.

On Sunday (11/24) our friend Bruce Harmer, who moved to Beaufort from San Diego, came over and we walked over to Hemingway’s Pub for drinks and live music. It’s a cool place and Bruce sometimes preforms there himself. Back on the boat, we prepared dinner while Bruce serenaded us, singing and playing his guitar. So much fun being with him!!!! Thanks again for a wonderful time Bruce! A much needed “friend fix”.

Left Beaufort on Monday (11/25) morning just before 9:00 for Isle of Hope, Savannah, Ga. We bumped bottom while trying to pass a slower-than-us boat on the way – no damage just a little bump. We must be consistently aware of the skinny water in these parts. Otherwise, it was an easy six and one-half hour cruise. Another beautiful small-town location where we visited on the way north. Took the doggies for a walk through the neighborhood then back to the boat for an early dinner and early night.

Another glorious morning! We eased out of IOH around 9:00 on Tuesday (11/26) morning for an overnight stop at Sunbury Crab Co. Restaurant and Marina, Sunbury, GA. Arrived around 1:00 after an easy cruise – except – we bumped bottom again just before arriving at the marina. This bump totally unexpected and right in the middle of the channel. The bow went up and Michael backed down immediately – then all was back to normal. It felt like we ran over a whale – pretty sure we didn’t but it was odd. The dock master said it is Right Whale migration season here he was going to turn us in for running over one. Not!  So, goes cruising rivers and the shoaling that you can be the first to find. We found Sunbury to be a beautiful and peaceful location. Next visit we will make sure to be here on a day when the restaurant is open.

Wednesday (11/27) released lines and retraced our tracks to get back to the ICW. Hmmm… no Hhumps this morning. We are headed for Brunswick Landing in Brunswick, GA.

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Happy Thanksgiving…….

 [SB1]