Week 5~ Isle of Palms, SC to Fernandina, FL

Sunday, 10/17/22 ~ Isle of Palms to St. John’s, SC
Today:     36 miles         3.5 hours         S/M 472.6
Total:  693.3 miles      111.9 hours

  

   

Sights of Isle of Palms ~ That wave board is motorized!

   The Ben Sawyer Bridge on hourly schedule, 9-7 on weekends. We made the 11 o'clock opening. Tide was rising, but there was a skinny spot slightly north of the bridge. There was only 3.5 foot of water under our 5.5-foot keel. It would be questionable for us to pass a dead low.

     Dolphins were very active near the rushes. Mating season continues.

     Being a weekend, there were quite a few sailboats racing on the Ashley River. The breezes were light between 10 and 15 mph and the temps in the low 70's, which is great for sailing. All the tributaries had plenty of small boats enjoying the beautiful day with family, friends and fishing.

 

Charleston Harbor

  Elliott Cut

    We pulled into St John’s around 12:30. Since they were bought out, a new payment procedure was instituted. Now, when calling to book our stay, I was e-mailed a contract, which needed a signature and payment prior to our arrival. I could have swarn that he said we could settle up once we arrive. However, they no longer take payment at the harbor masters’s office. I quickly completed the info as soon as Pete and Bailey returned from the midday work.

 
    Pete needed new sneakers and we needed new longer lines for PEKABU. Plus, I needed to do the grocery shopping. We borrowed the car and, while I was dropped off at Harris Teeter’s to do the food shopping, Pete went for new sneakers and West Marine for new 35-foot for aft lines for the boats. As soon as Pete dropped me off at Harris Teeter’s, I realized I left my purse in the car. I had no money, no phone, no LIST!!! Customer service was wonderful and let me use their phone to call him. Even with that hiccup, we got it all done in the 2-hr window!

 
    Once back everything had to find a home. Then it was time for dinner. Pete was able to see the Phili -Dallas football game all the way to the end! Eagles beat the Cowboys in a great game. They are now 6-0! Hope they can continue the momentum though out the whole season.

Monday, 10/17/22 ~ St John’s ~ Day 2 ~ 

    No alarm this morning, which is good as we stayed up to see the entire Eagles /Cowboys game last night. After breakfast, Pete managed to do the oil and filter change in-between work projects this morning while I headed up to do laundry. St John’s laundry facility is by far the best one we’ve encountered on our travels. Not only are their 4 washing machines and 4 driers, 2 ironing boards and irons, a sink for hand washings, a huge counter for folding, a love seat inside and a bench outside, AND it is only $1.00/ wash and $1.50/ 45-minute driers. The only negative is that now entrance requires an electronic farb. I was lucky that another boater was inside and let me in. I froze with the AC set for about 65! BURRR!

 
    Once back and Pete was done for the day, we discussed our travel plans for the next week as well as the need to be docked for Monday and Tuesday. Pete has a big project scheduled. We are now set for dockage through next Tuesday. Once on the road again, we might be in Fort Pierce by Saturday, 10/29! Oh Yea. . . the maiden flight for the Artemis Rocket is currently scheduled for launch around November 15th. Guess where we will be when she attempts another launch?!

 
    Ispent the remainder of the afternoon downloading photos. Next time we have time, I’ll be able to process them for the blog.


Tuesday 10/18/22 ~ St Johns to Beaufort, SC
Today:     65 miles          10.7 hours             S/M 536.3
Total:     758.3 miles     122.6 hours

    Up and out by 8. Air was crisp and cool at 54, with light winds and clear skies.

 
    Originally, we talked about leaving in the dark at 6 am so we could make the 4 pm opening of Ladies Island Bridge as they then have no openings 4-6pm. In an epiphany, Pete realized that we could leave at 8, make the 6 pm opening and be docked before sunset. That was much more sane. It also helped that we, once again, had favorable currents for a number of inlets AND high tides through the notoriously skinny cuts. It was mildly disturbing to travel over water that the Navionics showed at less than 5.5 foot, which is the depth of our keel! In all cases, the lowest amount of water under our keel was 6.3 feet. Surprisingly, with so much favorable current, we would have been at the bridge at 4:15. We wouldn’t have made the 4PM opening, but we actually cut an hour off our travel time. Pete simply back down the throttle to idle and we drifted towards the bridge the last 3 miles. We had a bit of a show as 8 of the F-35s were doing "touch and go's", as well as 4-jet formations take-offs and peel-offs for landings.

  
Trades - vessel repair on the Wadmalaw River
  

 

        

The F-35 Lightning Jet used by the Marines

    Since the marina closes at 6, we docked ourselves. It was a challenge with the wind and current forcing us away from the dock. I was able to partially lasso one bit when another boater stopped by to help. His help was very much appreciated!

    After dinner, the temps began to fall so on went the heat! It also meant that the door cut the sound of the generator that was running nonstop on the 60-foot yacht mexxt to us on the dock.


Wednesday, 10/19/22 ~ Beauford, SC to Isle of Hope, GA
Today:     52 miles           7.3 hours         S/M 590.0
Total:     810.3 miles     129.9 hours

Today's high

    So glad the heat was on. We woke to 42 degrees with a 5-10 mph breeze from the NNW. Skies were clear and the air was crisp for most of the day. We piled towels on top of Bailey as she really feels the cold. With her flannel coat, and 2 heavy towels, she took a good 30 minutes to stop shivering.

 
    I got a text from Pam, SV C’ESTE SI BON. Unbeknown to us, they also spent last night in Beauford. They are currently about a mile behind us, heading to GA.

 
    At the entrance to Skull Creek, we enjoyed watching a couple of pelicans and sea gulls in the water, and a pod of dolphins all feasting on a school of fish.

    Red 48A on Fields Cut was definitely off position, by at least 100 feet. Deep water and the channel were on the wrong side if the red. We safely traveled on the wrong side. Later in the day, R48A was also posted on Bob423 Facebook page. Apparently, it IS in the correct position, even though it brings you within 10 feet of shore.

 

 

                                                              The R48A Out of Position?

 

 

The old and new Causton Bluff Bridge 

  
    Causton Bluff Bridge is now permanently in the up position, with the northwestern span is still not fully upright. The new bridge is finished and in use.

More classic yachts between Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope

 
    Pulled into Isle of Hope Marina and met Billy & Sue on the trawler, ANGELINA behind us. They are heading from NJ to Stuart in the hopes of grabbing a mooring ball for the season. (Can’t reserve mooring balls.)

 
    When Pete went to settle the bill, he returned, stating we have the loaner car so we’re going to Castaway’s for dinner. Everyone who reviews Isle of Hope Marina raves about the place. We had though it was here at the marina, but it is about a 10-minute drive.

    I thought I had time to get in a walk, but forgot the office closed at 5 and we needed to pick up the car key. It was a shortened, but a faster walk, and I did manage a few photos. West Bluff Drive is canopied with ancient live oaks; beautiful and picturesque. Homes are grand southern ladies, but once off Bluff, homes are primarily small Ranches and Capes.

West Bluff Drive in Isle of Hope

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

  

                                                                    The ghostly hauntings begins . . .

  
Cool tire prints along the road and regular homes just off West Bluff Drive

Fungus on a mail box 

This is why we
could not find Castaways

   Sue and Billy declined our invite to join us for dinner, but as we walked into Castaway’s, we heard our names called. We joined them at their table for dinner and enjoyed the company so much, after dinner we joined them aboard ANGELINA. It was a wonderful evening with new friends. With them in Stuart and us in Ft Pierce, we will definitely get together again.

Thursday, 10/20/22 ~ Isle of Hope to Kilkenny, GA
Today:     26 miles           3.7 hours         S/M 613.0
Total:     836.3 miles     133.6 hours

    Short travel day, today. Kilkenny is only marina between Isle of Hope and Jekyll. Too long a day for us to make it in daylight. Temps were down to 39 degrees when we left at 8 am. There were still some vapor swirls on the water.

  

 
Today's sunrise, mist and breakfast

 

    We played with currents all day. We could see the whorls from the conflicting currents and we went from 6.2 to 5.7 mph in about 500 feet.

 
    Hell’s Gate was at low tide, but we still had 2.5 under the keel. We were passed by tug with mini tug on a hip tow, and a tug & barge. There are also few fishermen out in their skiffs.

 
    At 10:30 am, we heard the Emergency tones. We thought it was Wednesday and the weekly test. As we came to the realization that it was Thursday, we heard “Earthquake safety drill.” That’s a new one for us!

 
    Phone reception is very poor and spotty in this area. Pete received a number of junk calls, but one left a message. Pete had to wait for a stronger signal to return the business call to a perspective client.
 

   

Low tide, high tide and the view up the Kilkenny Creek

Hubby is in there
somewhere

     It was dead low, but we still had 20 feet under the keel when we docked at 12:30. That gave Pete a healthy chunk of time to catch up on work, but he also had to work around the poor signal.

 
    After cleaning up after docking, we had lunch. Pete continued with work while while I completed a few more chores. I washed my hair and thought I would lay down for a few minutes and let the Tylenol work on my headache. Instead, I went out cold for the next 2 hours. It did help.
 
   The parking lot is full. It turns out today is opening day for deer hunting with black powder on some of the outer islands. Of course, there were still small fishing boats that came in with their coolers full of the day’s catch.

Friday, 10/21/22 ~ Kilkenny to Jekyll Island, GA
Today:     72 miles         10.6 hours         S/M 685.0
Total:     908.3 miles     144.2 hours

 
Leaving before sunrise

    It is a long day of travel, with ever changing currents, so we were up and out by 7am. Temps were in the low 40’s, winds were still, and the air crisp. As it was nautical twilight, the sky was colorful as it lightened along the horizon. There were no clouds, which would have made it more spectacular.

 

 
Human and feathered fishermen

Island home

    We had been passed by the trawler C’EST LE VIE. Shortly thereafter, we saw them stopped. As we got closer, we noticed that they had dropped the anchor. We spoke with them and offered to stand by for a while as they attempted to get their engines restarted. While switching fuel tanks, they must have encountered an air bubble in the lines. Once the captain was optimistic with getting her running again, he thanked us, and we continued on.
 

  About an hour later, Pam, SV C’EST SI BON, hailed us to let us know that we were paged. MY C’EST LE VIE was once again underway. They were able to bleed the fuel lines and are underway and wanted to say thanks. That’s when we realized that Pam and Tom (SV C’EST SI BON) were only about a quarter of a mile behind them and catching up.

                     Changing currents and low tide                                           SV C'EST SI BON

  We had no problems with depth, but it was a mixed day of currents, with all the inlets and rivers. At one point we hit “swirlies”, at least that is what we call them. It when currents meet and mix causing whirls on the water AND mix currents below that affect steerage and speed. We went from 8.7 to 5.4 mph within 300 feet! The boat also gets pushed sideways depending on the whirls.

Hitchhiker onboard

    Pete had a conference call at 4:15 and, thankfully, he took the wheel again at 4:45, once we were across Brunswick River. As we were heading down Jekyll Creek, a boater warned us of a large - - -(something) further down the creek. It was actually “a barge train.” Well, that is what we call it. It is a tug pulling a large barge with a huge 2-story generator that takes up the entire barge, pulling another large barge that has the dredger, crane, smaller industrial generator and other equipment used for dredging, pulling about 3000 feet of pipes. We hailed the tug, and he told us we can either come down his starboard or his port no problem as he was taking the middle. We opted for his port and unfortunately, as we were getting closer to the pipes, the pipes started to drift out of control and were encroaching on us. As the "train" slowed to a stop, Pete had to maneuver. In backing up, we had 3 feet of water below the keel. It lessened to 6 inches and the GPS stated we were on land, but couldn’t move until the “train” started to move again. It was max high tide and if we got stuck here, we were in big trouble! Pete was able to maneuver us to slightly deeper water and finally the barge which finally got control of the pipes begin to move again. Pete really wanted to offer to help push the pipes to mid channel so we could get into deeper water. As soon as we could cross behind the pipes, we went perpendicular to the current to get back in the channel and continued on. It was probably the most disconcerting, intense encounters we’ve ever had to deal with.

 

 

 
Dredge "Train"

    Once clear, we called into the marina for docking instructions. Once again, they wanted to put us in a slip where we have previously run aground when trying to leave at low tide. They did some quick calculations and put us on the face dock. SV C’EST CI BON was coming in behind us so both of us were squeezed into the opening on the face dock.

 

 
Jekyll Island

    Pan and Tom joined us for dinner at Zachry’s Riverhouse, right at the marina. Neither of us realized that it was Friday night. We had to wait an hour for a table, but it was definitely worth the wait! The food was delicious and the company wonderful! We had to finally head back to the boat near closing time.

    Tonight is the Orionid Meteor Shower. It was a clear, moonless evening. It would have been cool to see, but we have to be up and out early once again.


Saturday, 10/22/22 ~ Jekyll Island, GA to Fernandina Beach, FL
Today:       32 miles         4.9 hours         S/M 716.8
Total:     940.3 miles     149.1 hours

Pelicans in flight

    The large boat behind left at first light. Yesterday, he was the one complaining to the dock hand that he needed more space to get out early—he might be 65 feet, but I guarantee the had both bow and stern thrusters and at least 8 feet to our dinghy! His departure before us made our departure easier. I did have to retie C’EST CI BON’s lines. The stern line, tied over our bow line, also served as a spring and was tied midship to the boat. That meant that I had to untie their line at midship, then on the dock cleat, remove my line, retie theirs, retie mine, then retie theirs to the midship cleat. Thankfully, 2 other boaters held the boat in place with the strong current. In order to access the tie at mid ship, I reached around the gentleman’s midsection who was holding the boat. I thanked him and suggested that he not to share our experience with his wife! We all had a good chuckle. Then I was able to remove our forward line, get onboard and free our final midship line to the dock.

       

Clash of the currents                    Distracted fisherman

    In the St Andrew’s Sound, a shrimper was drifting all over and heading towards us, but finally turned. We had rollers coming in from the inlet, plus waves caused by opposing current and winds from the NNW at 15 mph. Temps remained in the 50’s until we got to Fernandina, but then climbed to 70. Yep! We are now in Florida!

    We had a lot to see as we approached the dock. There is a huge barge with huge spuds docked just north of Fernandina Marin. They are known as Spud or Jack-Up Barges 

( https://www.marineinsight.com/offshore/jack-up-barges/ )

 

  

  
NAUTILUS ~ Ocean Spud Barge

    There is also 200-foot+ yacht DOUBLE DOWN at the dock. ( https://www.burgessyachts.com/en/buy-a-yacht/yachts-for-sale/double-down-00004648

 

 

    A classic boat MARINER III that came in behind us. ( https://classicyacht.org/boats/mariner-iii  ) I love peeking in on these super yachts!

 

    Pete and George spent the afternoon working and will probably work again tomorrow on a rush project.

    I love walking around town. It’s cute, interesting, and charming, though one block to either side off of Atlantic Avenue things become residential. It must be noted that the connecting side streets from Atlantic are also interesting . . . and aromatic as there are lots of bars and eateries.

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

<=  This was perhaps my most unusual photo I have taken.  There are no adjustments other than crop.  It is a reflection in an antique glass window. The imperfections are causing the beautiful distortions!

 

    Pete had to work through dinner. He was finished and exhausted by 7:30. Tomorrow, he not only has work underway, but also a phone conference at 4:15. We originally thought this was going to be a light, relaxing weekend.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P