Jumping Ahead...

Seems I can't get caught up with all that has been going on, so I am trying something different. This post will begin with what is happening now, with some posts in the future playing catch up. We'll see how this works. We are in Port Royal, SC at the Port Royal Landing Marina, awaiting the passing of Tropical Storm "Sandy" before heading South again. So, here we go....


 We left Sailcraft in Oriental, NC and headed to Morehead City Yacht Basin, where our friends, Robert & Becky, on Sea Quell, were staying for a month. Don & Judy on Nemo, had left by the time we got there, but will catch up with them along the way. We enjoyed a great dinner at "Ruddy Duck" with them. MCYB is a much better choice to stay than Beaufort. Less expensive and better protection.
      From there to Mile Hammock Bay anchorage for a quiet night, or so we thought. We were the second boat to anchor there, along side Sojourn, a motor trawler that we would play leap frog for quite a while. Another Endeavour, Samara (Mario & Sherry), came and anchored fairly close but not a danger. But the last boat in chose to drop his anchor not 50 ft. from us. Elden decided to move, and when we got to our anchor, we were 5 feet from his boat. If the winds had changed, we would have hit each other. He had no clue, and was amazed we were moving.

Sunset with Carolina Moon and friends










     From there, we headed to Wrightsville Beach, playing the waiting game with the bridges, and  we caught up with Carolina Moon and Mike & Bejay Grackin. Had three days of fun with them and discovered a great restaurant,the Causeway Cafe, on the other side of the bridge. Thursday morning came and headed to Southport,NC hoping to head offshore from there.  We left Southport, NC heading to Little River Inlet to go offshore as the tide was coming in Cape Fear Inlet and would not be safe. The weather sites(at least three of them), forecast 5-10 Kts, maybe 15 and 1-2 ft waves overnight. Boy were they wrong! It started out that way, but soon built to 30 Kt. winds with waves over 6 ft after midnight! It was not fun! Elden was a trooper, taking the midnight watch, and after I went below for "a couple of minutes", he wound up on watch until 7 am. I fell asleep for another three hours, missing the worst of it.

Mile Hammock Bay Sunset








       We made it to Charleston around 9 am and to Charleston Maritime Marina by noon. As there were no available docks at any marina, we went to the anchorage across from the city docks. Not bad, but wouldn't want to be there in a blow. One sailboat had it's anchor drag and started drifting down river! the owner finally showed up and reset his anchor. From Charleston we headed towards Port Royal, anchoring at Rock Creek. Very quiet and calm, and since it's been cool, hardly any bugs. Morning saw us off to Beaufort & Port Royal, SC.

Sunrise at Port Royal Landing Marina before Hurricane Sandy





 We are now at Port Royal Landing Marina,were we were planning on a two day stay to restock and recover some more from out offshore experience to Charleston, but nature has again stepped in. We are here for a week, due to Hurricane Sandy.  We have met up with Sami & Barry on Deja Vu, and Mary & Ron Stegall and have been enjoying the time relaxing.  They had a potluck last night, with around 40 people. tonight is the Halloween party. We are not planning on any costumes, but may wind up going in our foul weather gear. Move over Big Bird! 

Will post more as the weekend progresses.
Til then, fair winds and calmer seas!

Susan

On to Charleston and places North!

After a week of resting and waiting for Beryl to depart, we left Callawassie Island for Charleston. After a stop at Port Royal Landing Marina for fuel and a quick visit with Sami & Barry on Deja Vu, we set out for Toogoodoo Creek, our anchorage for the night, and was rewarded with a gorgeous sunset.

It doesn't get much better than this!














On to Charleston and the Maritime Center. The kids from Iowa were able to join us and we all had a great time exploring the city. The grandkids even remembered the life jacket rule! It was a hoot watching them take off and put in the jackets every time they went from the cabin to the cockpit.!

Ethan playing peek-a-boo with Grandpa

Ethan and Hannah hanging out with Dad (Tim)

Caleb having fun with the camera.









The only down side was a late night rocking from a container ship that didn't slow down. Wound up hitting the mast on the boat next door with only minimal damage to the Windex.


Decided to stay inside for the next leg, as the winds were kicking up a bit. Butler Creek was our next stop, with great views at sunset and sunrise. The moon even cooperated by being full that night!

Carolina Moon and friend.







We enjoyed a great meal on board with Mike & Bejay on Carolina Moon. Mike even came over in their dingy to get us.

Mike at the helm!













Next stop was Cricket Cove Marina for fuel and a night's rest at a marina. The weather was wet, and a little cooler, and they have their own weather forecasting service!

 

  Next day was COLD! Rain stayed with us until we almost got to Wrightsville Beach anchorage. The wind and the tide were against us and it was a miserable ride from Southport on the Cape Fear River. At least it warmed up at the end of the day.

Next post will continue to cover the North Carolina journey on our way to the Chesapeake.

Till then, fair winds and calm seas!

Susan