Beaufort SC to Isle of Palms SC

Moved the boat on Sunday from Thunderbolt to Beaufort SC, but, didn't really have anything to say about that other than there is a lot of "skinny" water along the way.  The tide's have turned against me for the last two days, with dead low tide occurring mid morning.  This means the first half of my day is in minimum water depths along the way and always creates interesting adventures.  Yesterday, I tested the limits of the water required to float the boat on leaving the Savannah River...no harm, no foul, but it kept my attention.  The first pic shows how low the tide gets, exposing the markers to dry land during the lowest periods.  Message: don't cut too close to the marks!
Today, I left at daybreak to make sure and transit the Ashpoo-Coosaw Cutoff two hours before dead low, and still, ran the area with single digit readings.  I wouldn't want to be there at dead low!  Couldn't help but take a pic of the Battery when passing, although I decided to move beyond Charleston and stop an hour north at the Isle of Palms.  First time here and it is nice to have a beach a short walk from the marina.  Bad news was the restaurant on site was closed and it was a 3 mile walk to real food.

On to Myrtle Beach or there abouts tomorrow!

Savannah

Took the trusty West Marine 6 speed into Savannah today and did the "tourist" bit.  My, what a lovely old city.  I've never been before so it was very interesting.  I love the way they have preserved so many parks and town squares all about with the old houses and business surrounding them.  It could be a lesson for our leaders in Raleigh as they decide how to deal with the Dix property.  Enjoy the pics, for those who have not been as yet.

On to Hilton Head or Beaufort, SC tomorrow (haven't decided yet!)

On to Thunderbolt

Left Jekyll this morning at 7:45 heading north to Thunderbolt, Ga,..a suburb about 6 miles outside of Savannah.  The tide was dead low, and the first mile or so north of the Jekyll marina is a notorious shallow section of the ICW.  Needless to say the depth sounder got a lot of attention, but all went well.  I had a good feeling about the trip after the show I received while waiting on the sun (dolphin pic)  They feed in the shallows around the marina at low tide and, based on their intent look at me, must get a hand-out on occasion.

The rest of the trip went well, all 92 miles, and I was tied up by 5 pm.  I included a pic of Alchemy's dash while underway for those uninitiated to the world of boater electronics:  Radar on the left, Color Chart Plotter center, autopilot, depth sounder, shifters/throttles, spread about...quite handy stuff!!

Another bowl of "Dave's Soup" tonight...may be the last, even though it is very good.

Boat Soup

So...I'm hungry and there are raw ingredients going bad in the boat fridge...What to do?  Dave's one pot boat soup.  1 lb of ground beef, 1 big jar of Ragu, 1 can corn, 1 can green beans, 1 onion, 2 potatoes, little salt/pepper/sugar....water...boil...Damn,!! (Bottle of wine as well,...wish I had a few fresh shrimp to go in here!)

Best $60 bucks spent so far on this trip!

How many good things can I say about my folding West Marine Bike!  Bought at the North West Creek marine yard sale with the help of my good friend C.L. Grantham, this has been my cruiser transport in all of the stops.  Today I did about 10 miles around Jekyll including 4 miles of beach riding.  It got me all around St Augustine and Fernandina as well.  Don't Leave Home without it!

Jekyll Island...Who Knew?

Never stopped here before, but how cool is this...Apparently, this was the playground of the rich and famous back in the day...Goodyear..Rockefeller...Vanderbilts...Pulitzer....They built a few small cottages that have been preserved, as well as, a kinda nice clubhouse (finished in 1888) which is still well used!  I think Mia had it wrong...I'm pretty sure this is where JFK Jr had the wedding party, rather than Cumberland Island.  Rumor has it that the founding of the Federal Reserve actually started here over a few drinks.  The historical marker states that Goodyear died at only 58...worked himself to death only a year after finishing the "cottage" here.

Back in Fernandina !

An uneventful day,, with sunny weather and light winds, made the first day of travel back north very peaceful.  I have the boat set up for single handing, with line holders along the port side positioning the lines so that the dockhands can easily reach them from the dock while I bring the boat alongside.  It works very well although it does suggest a nice tip after tying up!  I made it a short day (60 miles) to take advantage of the least expensive fuel in Florida, which is available just up the waterway in the morning.  ($3.51/gal is what I was quoted over the phone)  Tomorrow will also be short as I want to stop and tour Jeckle Island, Georgia, and wait out a weather front that will bring some rain and such tomorrow evening.
Jeckle is supposed to be nice...I'll let you know.