Making tracks to Charleston, SC

Sunday, 4/5/20 ~  To Jekyll Creek ~  We were up and out by 7 am. The morning skies were covered with clouds. No picturesque sunrise today. The current affected out speed all morning.

     Fernandina Marina is now open for business. In this area I counted 7 boats that are destroyed and/or abandoned high above the waterline. We continued on, as we have reservations for Jekyll for tonight. Leaving from Fernandina in the morning to do an outside jump will cut our day by about 2 hours, which Bailey will appreciate.

St Mary's Submarine Base ~ Sub Degausser

      As we traveled north of the base, Pete saw a strange line in the water. As we approached, we were able to make our about 200 Cormorants.  As you can see, they decided they didn't like us interrupting their hang out time, so they took flight ~
   

     Pete had a conference call midday and I had to take us though the skinny water just above the submarine base.  Thankfully, the sonar charts allowed me to find the deeper water. Just north of Cumberland Island, there are more shallows where the Jekyll Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean.  Between winds and current, it was a cautious ride until we hit deeper water. 

     We were able to dock by 4:30, and Pete worked until 6:30 with changes needed after the call.  The skies had begun to clear, but the sun set behind the cloud bank.

Jekyll Island Marina at first light

Monday, 4/6/20 ~  Ocean Jump to Hilton Head, SC ~ We pulled away from the dock by 6:30 am.  The skies were just beginning to lighten.  It was a memorable journey due to the fog.  The sun rose as we entered the East River and began heading out to sea.   At times the fog was so dense we could not see anything. Thank heavens for radar.  We had the current with us, so we were making good time. Pete was at the helm, and could see on radar where the car carrier, Golden Ray is lying on her side.  We were abreast of it when I finally noticed the top of the crane above the fog.  The further out to sea we went the more visible the wreck was.

    

    

       

       

        

     Once out in the ocean, skies were clear, breezes very light to non-existent, and temperatures in the mid-60 to 70’s. We held to an average speed of 6.6 mph most of the day. Of course, that made it easier to spot things on the water. Between us, we saw 5 sea turtles, who were sunning and or sleeping on the surface, 2 of the Cannonball Jellyfish, 2 Man-o-War, lots of dolphin, cormorants and other sea birds, and Pete saw. . . drum roll please! . . . the back of a whale after seeing it spout water twice! The Coast Guard continuously reminds us of the Right Whales liking the shallow waters off of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, but never thought we would see one.

        
Sights as we headed out to sea ~

     
       
Calm seas, lots of pelicans and turtles asleep on the surface ~

    The sun was setting as we approached the Savanah River.  We saw 2 ships head out to see, but we had a clear ride up the channel AND the current was with us.  We had called earlier in the day to let the office at Harbortown Marina know that we would be arriving after hours.  They opted to let us stay on the fuel dock as we would be leaving early tomorrow.  It was pretty coming into the harbor with the iconic Light House at the entrance lit.

     Bailey was fed, walked, and we decided to head to the showers.  It was a good but long trip and we still have more to go.

Tuesday, 4/7/20 ~ To Port Royal ~ Once the bill was settled, we cast off lines and were on our way by 8:15.  Yesterday, we discussed the time required to make it to St. John’s Marina, and we would have issues trying to make it in by 5 pm, when the staff leaves. The currents on the Stono River are strong and, if you add wind, it can get real exciting if we aren’t careful.  We would prefer to have someone on the dock to receive lines.  So. . . we decided to get dockage at Port Royal Marina, which is only 3.5 hours from here. It would allow us to make the Ladies Island Bridge in Beauford before 7 am and, hopefully, to St. Johns before closing.  A lot depends on the currents.

            
SV STARS & STRIPES America's Cup Contender, Marker at high tide, Pete working and local feathered population apparently didn't agree with USCG color choice for green 21!

     Pete had to work most of the afternoon. I worked on photos to upload with the blog.  I have a month’s worth to post, but I have been hoping to have decent WIFI at one of the marinas since Pete needs so much data for work.  I haven’t gotten lucky.  So, my plan is to have organized, proofed and ready to post once we have WIFI.
       
Views from ashore at Port Poyal Marina, including the Marker 244 Restaurant ~

     We were placed on the long face dock at Port Royal Marina.  It makes leaving easier, but it is a l-o-n-g walk to shore. Exercise is good, but since we have developed “head issues,” after the staff left, that makes the walk up to the bathrooms longer! We hope to have the staff so a pump out (that would clear an obstruction if that’s the problem) in the morning, then try to make the 9 am opening of the bridge. It doesn’t open between 7 and 9 and then 3 to 6 for commuter traffic.   Oh well. . . It is time for another walk.

The only sun all morning!

Wednesday, 4/8/20~  Pete tried calling the dock master’s office every 10 minutes from 8 am on. He didn’t get though until 9:10.  Due to the virus, they are on modified hours, and we didn’t know it.  It was now too late to start heading to Charleston and get in at a decent hour.  We instead booked a second night.  The harbormaster apologized for the confusion over hours and comped tonight’s stay.  When we tried to do the pump out, the blockage wouldn’t clear. Pete has done a lot of research and we have all the necessary spare parts. He replaced the joker valve, but it is still not working properly. He will try a few more things once we get to St. John’s.
     Once done assisting Pete, I went to work posting the blog.  It took the afternoon and most of the evening, but I was able to post all of March with 11 different postings! Now, I have to catch up with the last 10 days.  Once we are settled, I hope to get that done soon.

Thursday, 4/9/20 ~ To St. John’s Marina ~ The alarm went off at 5:30 and we were underway by 6:15 as the skies were just hinting at the coming day.  We were at the Ladies Island Bridge by 6:45 and requested by the bridge tender to wait another 5 minutes to see if there were any other boats hoping to also make the opening.  We were the only ones who made this opening.

I think Pete
has the photo of 10.0 mph!

     We made pretty good time for the first 2 hours as we were running with the current. As we hit the current change, the winds kicked up to about 15-20 mph.  With the jib, we were able to motor sail at about 6.5-8 mph even against the current!  This has never happened before.  Boy, it was great to see our ETA being reduced!  As we traveled the Stono River, we kept increasing speed.  About a mile prior to our turn at Elliot’s Cut, we were cruising at 10 mph (I only captured the 9.6 mph).   The only other time we went that fast, was with the current while in Elliot’s Cut.  We actually hit 11 mph on a boat who’s hull speed is 7 mph!

     The winds had once again picked up as I was setting lines. They had to be gusting around 25 mph and the current running about 2.5-3 mph.  Not exactly my favorite circumstances for setting up docking lines.

     Pete had not problems “crabbing” into the alley and pulling into our slip. E and one of her crew were there to help us in.  We were in at 3:50 and found out that they now closed at 4 pm.  We got so lucky!

   This will be our home for the next month. We thought it best to sit tight and let the virus hopefully calm down and the restrictions loosen somewhat.  Even our home port in Maryland is currently under state mandate to be closed.  The folks here and the facilities are great. Our car is here. We know our way around the area and where the stores we need are. Most importantly, we are only 12 hours from family if needed.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K