We found a great weather window (low wind in the right direction) and decided to make a run for it - our first overnighter! To ensure that we had plenty of time, we left Southport and the Cape Fear River at 4:40 AM (yes, that's still very dark). We used the Radar, GPS and chartplotter to get out, being passed by several sport fishermen -- on the way to the tuna fishing grounds. 2 hours and 16 miles out to sea, the sun made a beautiful appearance.
We initially had planned for a long day's run to Wimyah Bay NC, but with updated good weather forcasts, decided to go through the night. We scooted into South Carolina, past Myrtle Beach and into the night. The hazy horizon of the evening closed in to the small, softly lit sphere of our running lights reflecting from the fog that enveloped us. Around 10 pm we passed through the lighted buoys of the channel into the port of Charleston about 6 miles to starboard. - no boats anywhere to be seen.
The night passed without incident - Luke and I took turns at 3 hour shifts, briefing each other before we passed turns. Believe me, it was NO problem taking a turn sleeping. The time at watch passed fairly quickly. We took readings on our latitude and longitude, oil pressure, engine temperature, course setting, wind and boat speed each half hour. A careful check of the radar on a regular basis let us know that there were no other boats within our area. Unfortunately, it was very foggy most of the night, so we couldn't really see the horizon or stars. Other than the soft cry of a few loons that must have been floating nearby, we had no company that we know of.
We made it to the Port Royal Inlet to Beaufort SC and Hilton Head before dawn, fog and all. As the sun came up and the fog lifted, we were surrounded by the salt water marshes off Hilton Head Island. We were glad to be there :-)
Filled up the diesel tank (thank goodness for the lower prices this year!!!!) and continued our trip to Savannah, back on the ICW. This area is very marshy and flat, with big pines.
Our trip down the Skidaway River took us past many stately old and newer riverfront homes.
Of mayor historical relevance, we also passed "Moon River" imortalized in the song by that name by Johnny Mercer.
Our friend in Savannah, Debbie, had offered to let us use her dock while we are here. She met us in Thunderbolt, boarded the boat to ride with us, and we figured out that we would have to pass our 61 ft mast under a 55 ft power line to get there. So, she contacted her friends Debbie & Wendy, who generously agreed to let us use their dock, right on the ICW! It's great being here, but unfortunately, the low tide is getting lower at the moon gets fuller, and we will be aground here at low tide in a couple of days. That means we'll be moving down 4 docks later this morning. No problem, we get to meet the greatest folks this way! Everyone is wonderful and generous. We'll get together with our sister-in-law Beth later today. And it's going to be 72 today!!!!! yeah!!!!!
I think we're recuperated from the overnighter - we both slept 11 hours last night and feel great this morning.
On our way into the marina yesterday morning we had a visitor on our bow. Look at the drops of condensation of water on the railing.....
He was thirsty and diligently started drinking from the drops. He stayed with us about 5 minutes, carefully drinking each drop. Really neat to watch.
I'm off now to get ready to visit with Beth. We'll be in Savannah probably through Saturday, time to visit friends here and get a few errands done.
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