Parallel Parking in South Carolina

Early Friday morning we said our good byes to Mike, Jane, Natasha and of course Godiva. It was a bittersweet goodbye, because that may be our last time to be with the Ross's on Blessings, their 44'Defever. However, we hope this will be a friendship to continue past boating. Thank you Mike and Jane and hope to catch up somewhere down the 'road'. So, off the dock we went, let me interject one moment, people talk about parallel parking a car, well, try parallel parking a boat. In order for Dick to get off the dock, he had to reverse and turn the bow towards the dock. Dick is quite adept at 'parallel parking' and Savannah was the beginning of his skill being tested. Our next stop was to be Port Royal Landing Marina in Port Royal SC. The trip down the ICW was relatively non eventful until we came close to the ocean coming down the Port Royal Sound. The winds had started kicking up and the waves were building. Well we turned into Beaufort River and again with the winds at our back we were surfing up the river. The river runs fast and with the winds the waves were getting pretty high. When we came upon the marina, the waves had subsided, however the river was still running. Dick made docking the boat look easy, he had to turn the boat between two rows of slips 180* and then pull into his slip between two boats, not an easy feat. We tied up and checked in at the marina. This marina was very welcoming, they have a loaner car which they lend for a couple of hours and offered it to us. So, we took advantage and went into Beaufort to get a few things and to check out the town. Upon returning the car, the manager informed us that the local cruisers get together Friday nights, bring your steak and they provide the sides. It was a wonderful idea and we joined in with the Landing cruisers. They warmly welcomed us into their group, and we met others who were also transiting the marina. We had also met a couple who shared Connecticut ties with Dick, (they were from Willimantic and knew the Mazzola market and the Mazzola family)small world. That evening was also interesting because at the Dockside restaurant it was Karaoke night, lets just say we were treated to some very interesting 'renditions'. Saturday morning it was time to leave and our next stop was going to be an anchorage ,Tom Point Creek. Well, again, Dick had turned the bow toward the dock, reversed and pulled out between two boats that were very close. Not a scratch, nor a touch to any of the other boats, he's amazing! We had a great trip down to our anchorage. Alas, that evening we couldn't sit on the back deck and watch the stars, too buggy. So, we snuggled on the cushions and turned down the lights and we could see the stars through the windows.

On Sunday May 10th we left our secluded little anchorage and headed for Charleston. It's a beautiful time in Charleston, the magnolias are blossoming and there is a light scent from the Jasmine as well. Before arriving, Dick had checked the forecast and there was a high chance of weather. So he called the marina and requested to be berthed on the inside of the mega dock. That way we won't rock and roll too much. For those of you unfamiliar with the marina, the mega dock is 3000 feet of dock that runs along the Ashley river. It's wide open to weather, and boat traffic and the current on the river runs approx 4 knots. They accommodated Dick and this meant when he pulled into his slip, yup, Parallel parking. It doesn't sound amazing, but if you try parallel parking your car with the road moving,,, that would be a challenge.

That evening we had been invited to have dinner with Bob and Helen Kovach of the MTOA. They are port captains and we had been in contact with them along our travels. Bob and Helen live aboard their 50ft. Marine Trader.,its a beauty and they love the lifestyle. Helen made a terrific dinner for us and they were wonderful hosts. Thank you Bob and Helen.Our second day in Charleston was part work day. There were a few things that needed to be looked at, one is the saltwater wash down pump which had stopped working. When we anchor, this washdown is much needed, otherwise the anchor and chain gets put away muddy.Dick was happy he was able to find the problem and get it fixed. It works great now. Later that evening we had dinner with Joe Odierna brother to Ernie, who is a good friend of ours from the Harlem Yacht Club.. We went to a wonderful Italian restaurant and then later went back to his house for after dinner drinks. Thanks Joe!On Tuesday May 11Th, we headed out for our next anchorage,, but that is another story........