October 31st to November 8th

Chores, Travel, Great Friends and a Wedding

Lush greenery around
St. Johns

     We have a wedding to attend this weekend in Delray Beach so we needed to stop somewhere secure and reasonable. We were very fortunate to be granted a slip at St. John’s Marina outside Charleston. Between a micro burst directly over the docks this past July and the 11-foot storm surge along with its accompanying currents of Matthew, the marina suffered dock damage.  They also took in more live aboards from other marinas that were also impacted by the hurricane. The cruisers they can not accommodate are invited to drop anchor nearby and use the marina services and loaner car.

With the approaching SuperMoon, there are bery high tides

     Staying put a few days allowed Pete to catch up on work, me to do laundry, cleaning, food shopping, reorganizing for the upcoming off shore jump, and take advantage of the loaner car to pick up the rental car.  

   Wednesday was not quite what we had planned. I spent the morning walking around the shopping center in town.  It was fun just looking in Stein Mart, Tuesday Morning, West Marine and Harris Teeter. It felt good to get out and get my blood moving a bit. Only brought home groceries. Pete was scheduled for 2 conference calls beginning at noon.  The repair man for DISH showed just before the first call.  He rechecked all wires and ground, spoke to the tech desk and after 3 hours said it must be box. For the past 2 hours Bailey and I were confined to the forward cabin (which isn’t much room!) Pete called DISH after the repairman left. Once gain, the long wait for service to pick up, then she ran through ALL the trouble shooting questions. He repeatedly asked for a new box. After another 20 minutes, she stated that it is not their unit, but we could buy a new box from her. He then called KVH. After repeating the saga of our unit, she told us that the cheap boxes offered for the introductory are very problematic. Pete purchased the Wally offered by KVH (which is still part of DISH). We should get delivery at the marina on Monday.  After such a frustrating day, we were glad to head into Kiawah Island for dinner at THE FAT HEN.  John had joined us for dinner there last November. The meals we had were delicious, so we wanted to return.  We weren’t disappointed.

     To prep for the travel to Florida, I brushed Bailey thoroughly before Pete washed her. Her ears are healing well…finally! I thought I could keep her mind off her ears and dry her at the same time by taking a walk.  We didn’t get more than 50 feet from the boat when she would not stop shaking her head.  In the process, she reagitated the ears and broke some of the capillaries.  So much for not needing her ear wrap. Pete spent the better part of the day working, making up for all the time spent with the repair man yesterday.  After dinner, we packed for the weekend. 

   We left the marina at 5:40 AM for the 8 hour drive to Delray Beach.  As soon as we arrived in the area, we dropped Bailey off at the kennel. She will be boarded there for the next week or so.  After the wedding, Pete and I will head back to St. Johns Marina. With all the marina damage in Myrtle Beach, Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine, we need to make the 50-hour, outside jump from Charleston to Cape Canaveral. No way could Bailey keep her legs crossed that long! 

    Friday night, we joined the bridal party and family for the rehearsal dinner. We had a great opportunity to catch up with Gail and Steve, friends originally from Rhode Island, Hilary and Joe, from New York, as well as all the Freedman’s.  Joe made the beautifully embroidered and quilted Huppah, and will officiate the ceremony.

     Before the service, we went to West Palm Beach to check out the newly renovated Rivera Beach Marina.  Between a lot of people buying boats and needing marina space, and the snow birds who left before Hurricane Matthew and decided to stay in marinas for the winter, Pete was astounded earlier this week when he had to call 14 marinas in the area to find one where we could  get a slip for 2 months.  As we neared the marina, the heavens darkened and we watched the curtain of rain traveled towards us. It poured for about 45 minutes so we just sat in the car until it passed. We introduced ourselves to the marina staff, dropped off the contract and checked out the slips and facilities.  We were able to choose our slip, which will be PEKABU’s “home” from November through January.

     Thankfully the rains cleared out and we had beautiful sunny skies and comfortable temperatures for the 5:30 PM, outdoor, wedding ceremony. It was a wonderful day for Tania and Nicole. They were surrounded by the love of family and friends and celebrated in a great venue with beautiful floral arrangements, fabulous foods, and great “get-up-and-dance” music.

 

Howie, Tania and Ann

Gram, Nicole, and Kristin

A beautiful ourdoor
ceremony

Nicole, Joe, and Tania
Pouring colored sand to indicate
the blending of the families

      

The happy couple

       

The dias for the Bridal Party with the Huppah

    Sunday morning, the celebration continued.   Ann and Howie invited a bunch of us to join them for bunch at their home on Sunday morning.  About 30 of us enjoyed the delicious spread. Many of us hung out at house for a good part of the day, visiting and catching up before people left to catch their flights. We all felt good just to relax; everyone was tired.  The most tired were Tania and Nicole. Since Nicole wasn’t feeling well, both she and Tania crashed on the sofa for a while.  Monday, they leave for a honeymoon cruise of the Bahamas.

      Not wanting to say good-by just yet, Chinese seemed a good choice for dinner. Joe, Hilary, Howie, Ann, Pete and I had dinner at the Hunan Palace. Food was good, but the company was the best!

      Monday was the return trip to Charleston. We passed the time listening to a number of TED talks on the 8-hour trip.  Since we were back by 4 PM we stopped at West Marine and Harris Titter.   We stopped by the Marina Office to reserve the loaner car so we can drop of the rental. We also picked up the new DISH receiver at the office and Pete installed it.  Unfortunately, it is not working. We will have to get someone in once we are in the marina in Florida.

Hurricane warning, south side of Elliott Cut

Stately home on the Elliott Cut southern entry

    

Too Large for the ICW!

This one had to be over 250 foot long.
Crew was bery busy working on the tons of varnished wood

           Once the car was returned, we enjoyed lunch at Panera Bread, along with all the families who were off due to Election Day. Once back, we departed the marina to pick up fuel at City Marina and drop anchor along the southern shore of Charleston Bay. This way we will not be held up waiting for the Wappoo Creek Bridge, as it is closed from 6:30 to 9 in the AM and 4-6:30 in the evening.  Enjoyed dinner, then did the final prep of the boat for ocean sailing.  Asleep by 9:30.

~ ~ ~ /) ~~  K & P