All of the boats that were waiting for the effects of Hurricane Sandy to leave the Georgetown area slowly started to move out one or two at a time. Some boats were on a tight schedule and others were just wanting to get south to warmer weather. We left on Nov. 1st after staying an extra day for some rain to pass through. The weather was quite cool compared to what we had been getting prior to Sandy's arrival. The lows over night were 39*F for a couple of nights.
We heard that almost all of the marinas in Great Kills NY on Staten Island were pretty much wiped out. We stayed there for about 5 days when we were passing through and we really feel for these people. They are so friendly and helpful and just a great boating community. I'm sure that they will bounce back.
Leaving Georgetown our plan was to get as far along as we could and anchor for the night, then have a short run into Charleston the next morning. We stopped at a place called Dewees Creek, abut 15 miles from Charleston. This creek is about 150 yards across, is 60 feet deep in places and winds on for miles. We anchored in 15 feet of water about two miles up the creek. There was nothing but marshes as far as we could see in all directions, it was very weird but great for looking at stars.
The next morning we past the Isle of Palms area of golf courses and luxury homes before arriving in Charleston at 1045 on Friday. It was good to get in early for a change. We were planning on staying for a few days and take in the sights. We anchored in the Ashley River until Tuesday then took a slip for the night because of some bad weather that was coming through. We did the tourist thing daily and did a lot of walking. We walked through the beautiful streets, took a horse and carriage tour with 14 other people. It was very informative with the knowledgeable guide and saved a lot of walking. After stopping in Georgetown and learning a bit about the plantations in that area, we actually went to the Rice Museum, and that's not named for somebody called Rice, it's really about rice, and how the rich plantation owners only lived at the plantations for a very short period each year and spent the remainder of their time at their mansions in Charleston. A lot of the mansions have been passed down from generation to generation and are amazing in the way that they still look after all these years and the hurricanes, tornadoes and an earthquake. The landscaping is first rate and very tastefully done and well maintained.
Palm trees growing wilde everywhere now
Large open areas of marsh
Isle of Palms real estate for sale
Into the large open Charleston Harbor
The true charm of Charleston
Right at the Charleston water front
Lots of beautiful churches
Mansions are everywhere. These are from the plantation hay days, now some of them are multi dwellings but some are still single family dwellings
This old fire hall still has the brass pole
This is the owner of Piggly Wiggly grocery stores home
This is a mansion that we toured from 1825. The owner had 25 plantations and one of the heirs still lives on the third floor.
There are different districts through Charleston
They are really fond of pineapples
The government has a lot of money invested here
The best deal in town and the wings are Jack's way
Cool sign
One day we went across the Cooper River by water taxi to Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant. They have a WW II aircraft carrier, destroyer and submarine that are all open for touring. It was a full day getting there and touring the carrier and sub, we didn't have enough time to go aboard the destroyer. It was a full day of going up and down ladders and through hatches and checking out everything. Our last day in Charleston at the marina was spent doing boat chores and just taking it easy.
USS Yorktown
Ward room of Yorktown
Pilots briefing room
One of the early jets to fly off of the Yorktown
The next morning we were leaving but got off to a late start because we had to wait for a favourable current, then get fuel and a pump out. In doing all of this we missed a bridge opening and had to wait another half hour. We anchored early in another creek and the next day went on to Beaufort SC and anchored again and didn't go ashore. By the time we get the dinghy ready and get into town, everything would be closed in most of these places. From Beaufort we went to another anchorage just past Savannah in the Herb River. The anchorages in these creeks and rivers have very good holding and good protection from winds. They do have some current in them with the tides in Georgia and you end up facing up stream or down stream according to the tide.
There is a lot of shoaling in the ICW through Georgia, so sometimes you have to time your passage through certain areas when the tide is at least mid hieght. When we left the Herb R., we left at 1045 so that we could pass through a place called Hell Gate that is notouriously shoaled in places. After we went through Hell Gate and a couple of other thin sections we got to Walburg Creek and anchored for the night. We had another passage similar to Hell Gate coming up the next day and we decided to take the outside route in the ocean. It turned out to be a good move. We made the 45 mile trip to St. Simons Island in 7 hours totally hassel free. At 0830 we were sailing along in shorts and tee shirts. The temperature was 70* and sunny. We have stayed in St. Simoms for two days because today the weather was rain on and off all day. Tomorrow morning we will be leaving for either Cumberland Is. GA or Fernandina Beach FL. It depends on how the weather is.
Have a great week
Jack and Linda
I will post more pictures when I get a chance next time that I have internet service.
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