When Dreams run into Reality



While walking Bailey this morning, we spotted
 a pod of dolphins playing in the shallows. This
is the first opportunity I have had to snap a photo.

      It is hard to believe we have been traveling for almost a month.  We have seen swings in temperatures from the high 80’s to lows in the mid 30’s; currents that increased our speed to over 10 or slowed us down to 3.5 mph; engine problems and grounding issues; clear and sunny skies as well as downpours; perfectly calm to 30+ mph winds; some spectacular sunrises and sunsets to grey and gloomy days; made new friends and deepened old friendships. It’s definitely month filled with memories!

There are strong current
in the marshes!

 

LUCKY ME!!!  This 2 inch feather
was on the dock covered with dew drops

   When I helped the other boats depart yesterday morning, I knew that some serious weighting of our options are needed.   Should we continue and hope there are no more problems with Pete’s Mom? Do we continue south with the option of leaving the boat in warmer waters? Should we leave PEKABU here in Charleston and winterize her, but what about all our provisioning? Or do we turn around and head home?

View of the restaurant from the boardwalk

     Currently, Mom is doing better, but her issues will be ongoing. Even with Pete in Delaware and me South Carolina, we were still on the same wavelength. As we have learned over the past few weeks, the only way to get all the information is by face to face meeting with her the medical team. For Mom’s piece of mind as well as ours, we have decided to head back home to help with the discussions, decisions and support.

     These are the last of our photos from our journey.  St Johns Yacht Marina is a very nice place to visit, with beautiful vistas, great facilities, good Wi-Fi, free dockside pump-outs, friendly and helpful staff, a loaner car. . . and is reasonable, too!. There are lots of great stores within a 30 minute drive.  It's a good place, that gave us time to put things into perspective.
 

     This might be the end of this dream, but not of our future dreams!

ICW Mile Marker    472.2

101.0 Total Hours
649.0 Total Miles
                                                          ~ ~ ~ /) ~
                                                              Kathy & Pete

 

Change in Plans

     Pete’s phone rang at 5:20 this morning. His mom is once again having issues.  He was able to book a car rental, arrange for a ride, eat, pack and meet the taxi by 6:40. It will be a 10+ hour drive to Delaware.


Our fleet departs without us

     Around 8, I went over and assisted the other 3 boats on their way.  Hopefully, we will be back on the waterway in 4 days and catch up with them at some point.
 

The pool and The Stono Restaurant

   Heather was able to spend the afternoon with Mom / Nana. The news she related is good.   We still have lots of unanswered questions, so it is important for Pete to meet with the medical crew.
 



View from parking lot to
the boats...a very long walk!





   Yep, I did get a lot of work done on the computer. Bailey and I also took a long walk and played. It was too nice to stay indoors.  I also took more photos around the marina.

. . . and THIS is why the walks are so long!
This is the entrance to the restaurant and primary parking lot!

     Pete met with his mom and is now home safe and sound, I have to take Bailey for her last walk.  Good night!

Keepin’ Busy & Staying Put

     The winds and rains came and continued through the night.  We are the only boat of the four that is in a slip. RAGTIME, SEVILLA and BRUNELLE are sitting on the furthermost T-Head, and the winds drove the waves abeam of their boats.


This photo called to me
en route to the car

     Pete waited until after 8 to take Bailey for a walk.  She doesn’t like the rain and we don’t like the wet dog smell.  I tried to make a rain slicker out of a garbage bag.  Unfortunately, it didn’t make it halfway down the dock.  Yes, wet dog smell is very strong in close quarters!
     I waited for the rains to taper off before heading out to do the laundry. My timing was perfect.  I had all 4 washers and dryers free.  It is a good deal here, too $1/ in new large machines.
    Since the marina has a loaner car, I thought I might sign it out and run to Petco to see if I can get Bailey a rain coat.  I saw that Martha had already signed up for the 2-4 timeslot.  I’ll just beg a ride with her.
     I am so far behind on my photos that I had looked forward to working on them today and maybe getting the blog posted.  However, Bloody Mary’s were being offered on BRUNELLE at noon along with discussions as to our future travels.  We had a good time and even found time to discuss route options and time tables. Maureen is making a Pumpkin Vegetable soup and garlic bread.  Martha offered to make salad while Jeanne offered to bring dessert.   I will bring appetizers. Back at the boat, but due to car reservation at 2, I didn’t have time to get on the computer.
   Martha drove Jeanne and me to the shopping center they visited yesterday.  Petco is there along with Harris Teeter, Tuesday Morning, West Marine and others.  Bailey and Dory got new coats (but they were too small when we tried they on back at the marina.) I did really well in Tuesday Morning, picking up some items I have had on my list.  In Harris Teeter I decided to bring egg rolls as appetizers. I cut them into thick slices, baked and served with the Duck sauce as well as the Pineapple Jalapeño sauce.
     Once back from dinner, I started to work on and finally quit around midnight.

A Simple Short Hop to St John’s Yacht Marina, Right?

     We were awakened at 3:15 this morning by the sudden presence of the wind howling through the rigging. We probably went from 2-5 mph to 20 + in moments and the rains started to fall.  Though the rain stopped, the winds continued, fluctuating between 10 and 20 out of the North.  Considering the outgoing current would peak around 11, it was decided to wait until noon.  Since we were the only boat that had to back into the wind and current, we were to be the first to leave.  With the help of Dan, we exited the slip perfectly.
     As we approached the entry, the engine was overheating.  I checked the water intake valve, which was opened. So we headed to the fuel dock to reassess. RAGTIME was only 2 slips down from the fuel so I called to Gerry for assistance securing to the dock.  As soon as Jeanne and Gerry had our lines, Pete shut the engine down.  He and Gerry spent about an hour and a half trying to figure out the cause. He started with rechecking the work done yesterday and progressing to checking for water intake and bleeding possible air out of the lines. After each attempt, I started the engine and checked for water coming out with the exhaust with no success. After the fourth or fifth start, Gerry thought we might need to keep it running a bit longer to permit the water to pass through the engine.  Sure enough, they finally saw water coming out.  I was instructed to increase the RPMs and monitor the temperature gage.  After 10 minutes we still had not heated above the preferred temperature.
     Pete helped RAGTIME depart, while I continued to monitor the temperature.  With no change, we untied from  the dock and were on our way to join BRUNELLE and SEVILLA, who we told to continue on to the new marina.  After confirming that St John’s was still expecting us, Pete canceled our request for an additional slip assignment at Charleston Marina.
     It was a raw, windy, dreary hour and a half ride thought 8 miles of beautiful homes and scenery.  No photos today. The current in Elliott’s Cut allowed us to travel at ¾ power and still do 9.5 mph.
     Docking was interesting with the winds and currents, but no problems. The other 3 boats are on the furthest dock on the T-head.  We are on the next dock. We all still have a long walk to the office, showers, and laundry, not to mention the long walk to grass for the dogs.
     Since they have a loaner car, Jeanne, Martha and Maureen took advantage to head over to Harris Teeter, West Marine and the Bank. I opted to stay behind.  I had figured out what we might need for the next week or so, and only need bananas, yogurt, and half and half.  Pete needed a tube of silicone.  Martha offered to pick them up for us. Thanks, Martha!
     Just before leaving the Charleston Marina, I had put a bunch of veggies into the crock-pot with diced ham, beans and broth; a few seasonings too.  By 5 pm, the aroma was mouth watering.  Since we didn’t eat lunch, I made some crescent rolls to accompany the hardy and very tasty soup.
      As I write today’s blog entry, my happy tummy, the boat swaying with the wind, and the knowledge we dodged a bullet today, my eyes are getting heavy and I look forward to bed.  So…with that I say, “Good Night!”

ICW Mile Marker    472.2

1.5 Hours       (Total 101.0 Hours)
8.6 Miles       (Total 649.0 Miles)

Charleston, Just as We Remembered

Bridge and Fog

Yorktown  with Fog Remnants

  

Looking across to Charleston after fog

Crowding on Marina breakwater

Chaos of fisherman & shipping traffic



Pelican's morning Yoga

Taking Flight

Glen, Kylie and Maureen

Dan and Martha Coming to meet Water Taxi

     It was wonderful to not set an alarm for this morning, nor have Pete jump immediately into work.  While Pete and Bailey took a nice walk this morning, I straightened up and started to get breakfast ready.  He called me, suggesting I grab the camera and try to capture the bridge coming out of the heavy fog. As the sun burned the fog away, it also increased the temperature. 


Waterfront Park

Great place to cool off!



Our lunch at Fleet Reserve

      After breakfast, Pete cleaned out the water intake filter, but decided to wait to change the impeller until he returned from our visit into Charleston.
      We had agreed to meet up at the Marina Office building by 10:45 to catch the 11 AM Water Taxi over to Charleston. The other thing we all agreed on is to eat at Fleet Landing before heading our separate ways.  We learned from our last visit, that the food is excellent and the wait times increase as the afternoon progresses.  They were able to seat our party of 11 immediately. Our "one extra" was Maureen and Glenn’s very lovely granddaughter, Kylie.  She is attending school 2 hours from Charleston and was happy to make the trip.

 

Doorway to porch!

Carriage stable

    We had no agenda so Pete followed me as I took advantage of Charleston’s photographic charm.  While we explored, we revisited Cooks!, a great kitchen shop and picked up a new knife for the boat. We found a sweet shop that sold gelato. Pete had a mix of strawberry and vanilla, while I had the chocolate hazelnut and strawberry. YUM! While enjoying the cool refresher, we ambled over to where the carriage houses are for the horse drawn tours. While trying to readjust my settings, I tipped my cup, spilling a significant amount of melted gelato over my blouse and capris.  With the help of Pete’s ever-trusty Tide Stick, I was able to get most of it out.

Waiting her turn

 

Quiet Street in Pastels

     From there we found Harris Teeter’s.  This is probably the best grocery store I have ever shopped.  How I wish they would make their way north to our neck of the woods!  Of course, we picked up Pete’s favorite, cherry pie.





Limited view

    We then headed over to the Maritime Center to catch the Water Taxi.  We just made it and found Gerry, Dan, Maureen, Glen and Kylie were already on board. Martha and Jeanne called to say they were on their way just as we were pulling away from the dock.

 


Organized chaos for
College of Charleston's Sailing Team

   

      We disembarked by the Yorktown.  There were easily 50 Lightning sailboats from College of Charleston. With the viewing gallery on the dock, it must have been a regatta that went on all day.



Bailey hates baths!

     Once back at the boat, Pete started work on the water pump impeller. He felt it was time for it to be replaced. The temperature for the engine has begun to creep up.  He finished with enough time for him to take a shower before we headed to BRUNELLE for appetizers as well as discussion regarding the weather and travels tomorrow and the suggestion of heading over to St John’s Marina to wait out the storms and wind that is coming.  Once again, after such good appetizers, dinner was a sandwich.


They say this is the last of the sun for a few days.  Storms a commin'!

ICW Mile Marker    466 (Layover)
0.0 Hours       (Total 99.5 Hours)
0.0 Miles       (Total 640.4 Miles)

A Little Fog then Lots of Beauty

Sunrise among the mist

5 minutes after Dan
~the developing fog

    Dan arrived just before the sun rose over the horizon.  It was humid, but clear.  Within 20 minutes, the fog settled in, limiting visibility to about a quarter mile.  Thankfully, once we entered Estherville Minim Creek the fog dissipated.

Dan returning to BRUNELLE

    The day was warm, and the scenery beautiful. To the east of the ICW is the Cape Roman National Wildlife Refuge. There were lots of birds, including a few eagles, lots of Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, various shore birds, a large hawk, and a few Green Herons. Next trip I will make sure to have a book of birds that inhabit or migrate through this area.


Pete returning from dog walk



Leaving the fog at the entrance of the ICW canal



Mist over the marshes

Egret enjoying the early morning sun

Eagle witnessing our passage

Watermen on the waters also



Sunset while aboard BRUNELLE

     Pete finally put this crazy project to bed.  He actually enjoyed navigating for the better part of the day.  The water gods were kind today. We had only one area of skinny water.  We dropped below 8 feet (less than 2 feet under our keel) in the McClellanville area. For most of the day, the currents were with us. We were able to clear the Ben Sawyer Bridge by 2 and be at the Charleston Harbor Marina by 3:15. With a quick stop for fuel, we were in the slip by 4. This marina is misnamed for it is across from Charleston in Mount Pleasant.

Exiting Ben Sawyer Bridge

    We enjoyed cocktails on BRUNELLE.  Ann and Bob made the overnight jump from Cape Fear to Charleston on PINNACLE. We discussed options for this weekend as well as what we might be doing when we leave.
     Pete spent the evening investigating our options for our continuing travels south. I am sure we will be discussing the options more tomorrow.

ICW Mile Marker    466

6.5 Hours       (Total 99.5 Hours)
57.7 Miles       (Total 640.4 Miles)

Travels, Foggy and Dismal

Barefoot Landing just before the fog thickened

   As we prepared to depart, the fog increased in density. Radar was of no use due the fog and the close quarters of the trees. As a result, it was a slow go for a while. 


Golf gondolas over the ICW





Marine Graveyard

   The normally pretty ride through Myrtle Beach was lackluster with the heavy skies and fog.  The magnificent homes, that line this part of the ICW, just appear less grand.  There are signs of the colors changing, but need the sun to really be noticed. I did take a photo of the golfing Gondola that crosses the ICW from the parking lot to the first tee per our son, Chris’ request.
 

White dots really are goats

   I was surprised to find a pair of goats roaming the water’s edge of the barrier island.  A little further south there were about a dozen more goats grazing. A search on the Internet found that the goats are returned to Goats Island in Murrells Inlet each spring for 7 months to graze to their heart’s content.  For the past 25 years, they have helped keep down the brush while stopping people from growing marijuana on the islands.
    While Pete was on his phone and computer, the helm was more challenging today, as I spent 45 minutes on my phone with Mom’s doctor while trying to take notes, steer, and adjust the throttle. Based on our conversation, she will need more testing.
     While exiting from under one of the high bridges, we passed Coast Guard, Sherriff Department and County Police Boats conducting a ground search.       


Grey with hints of fall

Ghostly image of an old tree

    The rest of the day was cool, damp, and dreary. We had traveled north on the Waccamaw River in spring.  The skies had been clear and the water blue. The trees and shrub green and in some cases flowery. The only negative of all that beauty was the biting files.  This time there were no biting files, not even mosquitoes, and few trees had leaves. Those that did were changing color, but blended into the grey without the sun. With the scenery being boring, I started to search the woods for the ancient trees, those with 3 foot wide trunks.  Towards the start of the river, I spotted one or two each mile. Further downstream, I couldn’t find any. I wonder if there was a fire, or perhaps the trees in this bijou were harvested and floated downstream.  I did find the sad remnants of one of these ancients at the lower end of the bijou. Only a few hints of civilization along the way, 2 marinas and Wachesaw Plantation.

Wacca Wache Marina

The forest thinned &
individual cypress
stand at waters' edge

   







Pete was able to talk with Mom’s doctor.  The testing revealed no changes, which is good news.  Hopefully, she will regain her strength and return to her retirement community in the near future.


Wachesaw Plantation & Golf Course

 





   The group decided to bypass Georgetown in favor of an earlier start, either via the Atlantic or down the ICW, by dropping anchors in Winyah Bay just east of the start of the Estherville Minim Creek Canal / ICW Channel. The dreary day continued until sunset. To the west, we could see a small ribbon of orange as the sun set. We were the only boats anchored.  By 8 PM, the clouds had cleared, the stars sparkled, and the 2.5 knot current was in full ebb.  Dan and Pete had a real challenge trying to get to the back of our boat to unload Bailey. After a number of tires, they finally met with success.  There are concerns when the current changes, but everyone is confident in their anchor.
 

A hitchhiker

    A decision will be made in the morning as to which route we’ll take in the morning.

ICW Mile Marker    410

8.5 Hours       (Total 93.0 Hours)
57.7 Miles       (Total 582.7 Miles)