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

To Little Sister’s Creek, Jacksonville ~

Friday, 4/3/20 ~ Bailey was out of sorts last night. She woke us up at midnight and again at 2 am needing to go out.  Pete took her and she has slight soft stools.  She might be starting on a flareup of her vasculitis.  Her hip is also getting weaker.  We will have to be more helpful with her on stairs, as well as getting on and off the boat.

     She was walked and we were on our way by 8 am.  She was stressed and wanted to just remain down below this morning. I finally gave her a sedative and she was really sleepy until able 6 in the evening.

   

       The current was against us up to Tomalto River, allowing us to only make way around 5.5 mph.  Just before Roscoe Road, we began to increase speed. At one point we were cruising at 8.3 mph as we got closer to the St. John’s River.  I was at the helm and was surprised seeing one of the Norwegian Cruise ships heading down river.

    The county ramps were very busy with small boats as we passed.  However, we were shocked that there were no other boats on the free dock.  We had it all to ourselves all night!  There are fisherman on both the dock and the walkways, but the fish don’t seem to be biting today. Pete has taken the opportunity to speak with a number of fishermen about gear and technique.  He would like to take it on as a hobby.

     We were fully charged when we pulled in. Seven hours later, we were still at 90%.  The big draw at anchor is the GPS. Here we don’t need to leave it on. Pete opted to run the engine for about an hour to top off the batteries before bed.

Saturday, 4/4/20 ~  It was a great night for sleeping, cool temps and gentle breezes.  Bailey slept well, but we could hear the shrimp snapping on the hull for most of the night. Once I realized what it was, the noise didn’t keep me awake.

Fishing ~

        

Visitors around the water ~ including a container ship coming up St. John's River ~

        

The big ships are constantly blaring 5 horn blasts due to small boats not paying attention ~

     

     We will stay here today and tomorrow head to Jekyll Island. Pete sat up above socializing at 6-foot social distancing to those who walked the dock and reading.  I am trying to catch up with the blog.  I have had most of it typed and ready for posting but need the photos processed.  With luck, most of the blog will be updated.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

To St. Augustine, Camachee Cove Marina

Today's magnificent sunrise in Daytona

Monday, 3/30/20 ~ We were heading north around 8 am.  Daytona’s new bridge is almost done.  That leaves just one bridge that needs opening in Daytona.  I wouldn’t be surprised if it is decommissioned and turned into a fishing pier once the new bridge opens.

Fort Matanzas

     It was an uneventful ride north.  I am still amazed by the number of sunk boats along the ICW.  In the anchorage south of St. Augustine, there are 3 sunken vessels including a commercial fishing boat. These sunken boats were not there on the way down.


           

    
     The current was not favorable for a substantial part of out trip.  Checking while we were at the Matanzas Inlet, we would miss the 4 pm opening of the Bridge of Lyons by 5 minutes. Pete quickly rearranged for us to pick up the rental car in the morning and canceled the Camachee loaner car for tonight.  Somehow, the current gods smiled down on us and we were at the Bridge of Lyons at 3:55!  It would have still been too tight to make it to Enterprise by 4:45.

     We were able to top off fuel before heading to our slip.

Tuesday, 3/31/20 ~ Bailey was walked, the loaner car was sanitized and we were on our way to pick up the rental car at 9.  For “efficiency” many of the local Enterprise locations had closed and all the cars were brought to the central location here in St Augustine near 95.  They must have 300 cars and a staff of maybe 6. Our rep had a hard time finding our car, but finally met with success.

     We headed back to pick up our stuff (snacks, drinks, and Bailey,) drop off the loaner car and head south.  The trip to West Palm Beach took 4.5 hours with stops.  No problem with drive throughs and bathroom stops.  As we returned to St. Augustine, we called Vinny’s New York Style Pizza. They were doing curbside pick-up, so we had a great dinner, and leftovers for another.

Wednesday, 4/1/20 ~ We headed north with both the rental and our cars around 8. This wound up being a very surreal ride. There were lots of semi-trucks on the road; probably 3 trucks to everyone car. When we approached the Florida/Georgia border on 95, there was a 2-mile backup of vehicles heading south being detoured into a weigh station for CoVid 19 screening.  And lastly, there was quite a number of army vehicles on flatbeds, heading south while lots of campers were heading north.  Add this to the NY, NJ, PA, and MD joining a number of other states, issuing a shelter-in-place. The order allows for people to go out for essentials only, food shop, pharmacy, fuel, etc.  Medical appointments are now phone/video appointments, and people need to consult with doctors before going to the ER. 
        

     Pete and I discussed our options. We were already proactive moving the car up to Charleston, but we both decided to see if we could stay a month in Charleston, rather than pushing to get back to the Chesapeake.  Once at St. John’s Marina, we were unable to speak with E, but the acting harbormaster, remembered us.  He was able to confirm dockage beginning next week for a month.  We will keep them posted of our arrival date.  We need to wait for a window to jump outside Georgia to Hilton Head.  Having made the decision, we feel much better.  If necessary, we could be back “home” by car in about 10 hours if necessary.

     We went though the checkpoint once back in Florida. There was no longer a line. They just wanted to know what state we were coming from. Thankfully, South Carolina is not one of the current hot spots. We were wished safe travels and stay healthy.

     It was another 12-hour day.  As it was after 8 pm, we were not able to pick up the last few items from Publix.  They are on modified hours, closing at 8. So, once back, we just chilled and called it a day.

Thursday, 4/2/20 ~  The plan was to use the rental to run over to Publix as they opened at 8.  While I ran in, Pete would “de-hair” the car. Then return to the boat, drop off the groceries, pick up the loaner car, fill both cars with gas, return the rental, stop at the bank, return the loaner car, and then depart.

     But you know what they say about best laid plans. . . ! By the time we dropped off the rental is was already 10:30.  Why go crazy as well as possibly missing out on the free dock at Sister’s Creek in Jacksonville, as we would be arriving late in the afternoon?  Pete made an executive decision.  He called and extended out stay at Camachee by a day, did a U-turn and stopped at Duncan Donuts, treated us to a great breakfast, stopped at the bank, then returned the loaner car by 11:30.  Since I had a headache, he sent me to take a nap while he did the laundry.  It was a much appreciated and great opportunity to chill.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K