Words From the Captain

After cruising for quite a while and hardly ever writing in this blog I (Dick) am going to try my skills and post a few writings. As you are aware my first mate has done most of the postings since we have started and took and posted all the pictures. I am not sure if I can compete with that but here goes.

We are now anchored in a nice little creek (Herb River)  not far from Savannah, Ga. The wind is blowing quite hard as a cold front is just going through. It rained most of the night and we're beginning to see some breaks in the clouds. Big decision a few hours ago, decided to stay put since the next leg would take us through St. Catherines sound which is notorious for having heavy seas with lots of wind. The weather reports are calling for 25 to 35 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH wind so we will stay right where we are nice and secure. Looking out the window we see marsh and a few houses only one other boat anchored down. He is not going anywhere either.

So let me back track a little. Went back to Morristown,NJ about a month ago planning on spending Thanksgiving with the kids and was suppose to go back to the Summer Wind a few days after the holiday. Welllllll, the best laid plans....... saw my eye doctor for a follow up visit since my cataract surgery last summer and he found some scar tissue behind the lens in my right eye. He said that it was quite common and could correct with laser surgery. Unfortunately because of the holiday and he also only does surgery on Wednesdays we had to wait until the following week. I also have been experiencing pains and stiffness in my shoulders so saw my Orthopedic doctor. The X-rays showed some bone spurs and arthritis in which he prescribed Prednisone and wanted to see me in a week. After both doctors and follow up visits we finally got the OK to travel.

Drove back to Beaufort, SC and reboarded last Thursday, December 9th. Did some fresh food shopping on Friday and returned the rental car. Yesterday was our first day of travel and found everything working well .

We do this cruising and head south because we hate the cold weather but, alas, we haven't seen or felt the warmth yet. This time of year the cold fronts are moving far more south than we like and we are getting hit with them. Yesterday it was in the low 50's (but felt colder) and rained most of the day. Had to steer from inside with the wipers going most of the time. Last night it was in the low 30's and tonight the 20's. YIKES, Get me SOUTH!!!!!

Even with all the cold and wind and delays it is great to be back on the Summer Wind. She is packed to the gills and wants to head south as badly as we do.

I will try to write more often but leave the pictures to Elle.

 I am sure most of you know how to navigate this page, but let me give a little instruction. If you want and we hope you do want to be a follower just click on the "FOLLOW" button and sign in. You can either put a picture or not. We love to see who is following us and would love to get many more.

To see where we are and where we traveled just click on the "Black Spot" button and it will take you to our track. Please note that it updates every 20 minutes as we travel so may show us crossing land but you know better.

We also like to hear from you, so to leave a comment again just click on the "Comment" below the posting. Sign in and say whatever you want.

If you can't get on for some reason, please let us know through an email and we will help. If you don't have a "Google" account and don't want one you can "comment" on an email to us.

So have fun and let us hear from you.

Charleston,SC to Beaufort,SC

Thursday November 11th raised the anchor and left our quiet anchorage. Our destination for today was the Carolina Yacht Club in Charleston.We love this city, and we always spend a couple of days to visit. The temperatures warmed up to the 70's and we were able to shed our sweaters for T's.  Shortly after noon we arrived at the Yacht Club waiting for our slip assignment. There was a big Catamaran trying to dock and with the wind and current, the dockmaster was having quite the time trying to reel him in. Slowly but surely our time came to dock and the captain had us docked very easily.

After docking and showering we went to check into the Yacht club, we've never been in this club so we wanted to check it out. The Carolina Yacht club is very beautiful and steeped in tradition and formality. We were 'welcomed' and invited to dine in their club, but neither of us felt the desire to change (jacket required) again so we decided to venture out on our own. You can't go wrong with most restaurants in Charleston.

After walking around a bit, we decided to check out the local restaurants. As we were reading the menu board one of the hostesses from the Mercato restaurant came outside to welcome us to their restaurant. She told us they were having live jazz music and we would not be disappointed. Well we made the reservation ,, and you know she was right! We enjoyed a fantastic night at the Mercato. Ann Caldwell was singing with a three piece band, drums, keyboard and cello. Her songs were sultry, and wonderful to the ears. Oh yes, the dinner was marvellous as well!! The wait staff was very attentive to all customers and even the manager came around a few times to see if everything was enjoyable. We had asked him if he knew if Ann and her group produced a CD, and he gave us a free copy. We went back to the Summer Wind totally enthralled and satisfied from a wonderful night.

 We spent two nights in Charleston, and had a fabulous time walking around the Battery and river walk. We toured the exchange building and enjoyed listening to the history.

Dolphins on the Bow

 Saturday November 13th- We untied our lines and decided to head for our next destination. Our plans were to anchor as close to Beaufort, SC as possible. So, we anchored in Wimbee Creek off the Coosaw River. We knew this was going to be a great anchorage when we turned up the creek there was a large pod of dolphins as our welcoming committee. Each dolphin was taking its turn looking up at the Summer Wind, and playing in our bow. That evening we enjoyed watching them swim around and we could hear them when they would come to surface near the boat. The scenery around the Summer Wind is mostly the tall marshy grass with a few homes dotting the area. However there were a few new  ' grand' homes being built.

Sunday November 14th,- Our trip was only about an hour long. The anchorage gave us an advantage of docking in Beaufort at slack tide. Shortly around noon we had the Summer Wind secured to her slip where she would be awaiting our return. Our plans were to pick up our rental car and drive home for the Thanksgiving holiday. An adventure we're both looking forward to enjoying.

Waccamaw

Wed. November 10th-Untied the lines at Barefoot Landing at 6:30am and began the trek down the ICW when there was enough sunlight. The captain showed his talent for pullling away from the dock because along the wall, all the boats are bow to stern and at very close proximity. Around 9:00 in the morning we made a stop for fuel at Osprey marina, they still had their fuel at a great rate of $2.77/gallon. Fuel prices are starting to rise above $3.00 as we move further south. 

We had a wonderful trip down the Waccamaw River. The temperatures had warmed up enough that we were able to spot turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks along the river banks.  Most of the trees still had their burnished autumn color,and the leaves were only beginning to fall. When you travel down the Waccamaw, it's a unique experience everytime.

Our final destination today was the Minim Creek anchorage where we dropped a hook. In the afternoon we went out on the back sundeck and listened to the call of various birds. Somewhere over the tall grass there must have been hundreds of birds having a large party,, hmmm and we weren't invited. That evening the winds were calm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Shortly around midnight we went outside on the back deck and the black sky was lit with millions of stars that were reflected in the water.