05/30/2012 AND 0531/2012 SOUTH CAROLINA

05/30/2012 WEDNESDAY         NORTH CAROLINA, AT LAST

41 NM FROM MYRTLE BEACH TO SOUTHPORT MARINA (910-457-5710) IN SOUTHPORT, NC

About 3:00 AM the rain arrived in full force, bringing a good shower before easing off and continuing it northerly path.  Quest pulled out around 8:00 under calm but drizzly conditions.  The fishermen and crabbers were beginning to peek out but wary of the predicted gusts yet to come.  We did see gusts up to 35 during the day.

The last couple of years the colorful Adirondack chairs have been the rage on docks but this year we found these high chairs beginning to show up along the Carolina docks. 

THESE HIGH CHAIRS ARE THE NEW THINGS ON THE CAROLINA DOCKS

We arrived at the Southport Marina in North Carolina between gusts and managed to get tied up with the assistance of the dockmaster and other helpful boaters.  After giving the wind and rain a chance to dye down we strolled through the town of Southport.  Years ago, pre-Steven at UNCW, we drove through here and fell in love with its coastal charm.  We found a lovely house for sale and dreamed of breathing our life into it. It has since been purchased and tended with loving care.

SOUTHPORT HOME

Temporary construction was being done for filming on a Nicolas Sparks’ movie. His book, Safe Haven, is set in this small town.  Thankfully, when the shooting is done, the structure will be removed and the original setting restored.  Guess I will have to download this book to my Kindle!!!

CONSTRUCTION FOR TEMPORARY MOVIE SET FOR
NICHOLAS SPARKS MOVIE

05-31-2012 THURSDAY      ON TO THE WILMINGTON AREA

25 NM FROM SOUTHPORT TO SEAPATH MARINA (910-256-3747) IN WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

Thinking we were going to be up and out early this morning, when we did leave at 6:30 three of the transient boats had already left.  This was an early crowd!

The day dawned beautifully clear and void of the previous day’s gusty wind.  We were able to cross the wide Cape Fear River and enter Snow’s Cut under lovely, calm conditions.  Before long we were passing by the dock for our Southeast Harbor house.  And for those of you that know this area, yes, the blue bus is still nearby and the ugly geodesic house still stands.

DOCKS FOR HOMES IN SOUTHEAST HARBOR

THE INFAMOUS "BLUE BUS"

AND THEN THERE IS THE GEO-HOUSE

Seapath Marina will be our home for about a week while we drive to Pinehurst, NC to join the Colemans and the Ramages, go on to Charlotte for La Cage Aux Folles then back to Quest to prep her for the summer.  More on our land adventures later.

05/28/2012 AND 5/29/2012

05/28/2012  MONDAY         MOVING ON NORTH AGAIN

81 NM FROM BOHICKET MARINA TO ANCHOR IN THE MINIM CREEK (MM415.5, WEST BY RED 4)

Lucky for us, the storm just brought us a little overnight rain while taking out power in the Jekyll and St. Simons Islands as well as Savannah.  We traveled with slight breezes and a smattering of light rain during the morning but the sun never really showed its face much, keeping the temperatures down and pleasant.

I waved at one of my favorite houses perched on the corner of the Stono River at the Elliot Cut.  This swiftly flowing cut takes you right to the Ashley River and lovely Charleston.  We were delighted to find the harbor’s waters relatively calm as we made our transit.  I think we made some good choices in laying out our travel strategy.  I am sure the harbor was tumultuous yesterday and tomorrow may bring the storm snaking back up.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL HOME IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING

THE MEGA DOCK IN CHARLESTON HARBOR

Wild life!  Wild life!  First Dan spotted some wild pigs along the shore then I found the first gator just as we pulled into Minim Creek (MM415.4 W@R4) to anchor for the night.  Since they tend to hover just under the water with only the tops of their heads and nostrils peeking out, they are most difficult to spot. 

LOOK CAREFULLY AND YOU WILL SEE THE GATOR'S HEAD
TO THE RIGHT OF THE LONE REED

After entering the creek, expecting to anchor, we found this old dock and pulled right up to it for the night.  OK, once there we did find the posted no trespassing signs but they were really hard to read and we are sight impaired.   We saw another gator slither just off the boat, a dolphin frolicking nearby, roosting pelicans and herons and (ugh!) blood thirsty mosquitoes.  We were safe from the invading critters as long as we kept the screens tightly closed.

HMMMM!  LET'S STAY HERE.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY?  CAN'T QUITE MAKE IT OUT?

After tying up Dan noticed our chart plotter mileage had just clicked over the big 20,000 NM that we have traveled since moving onto the Quest in January of 2010.  Wow!

THE THIRD TIME THE METER HAS SHOWN ALL ZEROS
FIRST TIME=TRUE 0 IN OREGON,
SECOND TIME 10,000 NM SOMEWHERE IN THE MISSISSIPPI 9/2010

 

 

05/23/2012 THROUGH 0/27/2012 TRAVELING WITH JAY AND CHERYL

05/23/2012  TUESDAY       THE COLEMANS COME ABOARD THE QUEST

35 NM TRAVELED TODAY FROM GOLDEN ISLES MARINA ON ST. SIMONS ISLAND TO ANCHOR ON THE CRESCENT RIVER NEAR MM 643.5

The morning was a whirlwind of activity.  While I did some cleaning and caught up on bookwork, Dan got the marina’s loaner car and made a quick market run to restock Quest’s empty refrigerators.  By 9:30 we were joining Jay and Cheryl Coleman at the Jekyll Island Club, where they had been staying for the last three nights, for breakfast and a quick walk around of the magnificent property.  Prior to the state’s acquisition of this island in 1947, this resort was once the seasonal home of such notables as Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, Vanderbilt and other uber-rich of that era.

Shortly after noon we had the Colemans on board Quest and we were casting off our lies.  It proved to be a beautiful cruising day as we meandered the twisting channel that took us closer to Savannah.  We anchored for the night in the Crescent River, enjoyed a barbecued steak dinner and taught Jay and Cheryl to play Fan-Tan.  It is good to be back traveling on Quest and doubly so with friends.

05/24/2012 WEDNESDAY           SAVANNAH, HERE WE ARE!!

36 NM TRAVELED TODAY FROM THE ANCHORAGE IN CRESCENT RIVER TO THE RIVER STREET MARKET PLACE DOCK IN DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH(912-398-6038) (www.RiverStreetMarketPlace.com)

 With little fanfare we pulled up anchor, departed from our most peaceful anchorage and made tracks for downtown Savannah.  Jay and Cheryl quickly learned to lend a hand where needed, how to dodge those monstrous green-eyed flies and to when it was safe to enjoy the cooling breezes on the bow.

JAY AND CHERYL, GETTIN' THE HANG OF IT

We were all eager to reach the charming city of Savannah with its inviting waterfront and rich past.  Savannah’s two-square-mile historic district is the nation’s largest urban National Historic Landmark.  Founded in 1733, this is the last Colonial capital established by the British in America.

We wandered the streets for a while, had drinks at Rocks on the Roof, dinner at Vic’s on the River and enjoyed a pedi-cab tour the cool of the evening.

05-25-2012 FRIDAY        BEAUTIFUL BEAUFORT IN SOUTH CAROLINA

43 NM TRAVELED TODAY FROM SAVANNAH TO DOWNTOWN MARINA OF BEAUFORT (843-524-4422)

 Exiting the Savannah River and returning to the ICW brought us quickly to South Carolina where we cruised past Daufuskie Island that was made famous by Pat Conroy’s book “The River is Wide”, Hilton Head that is known for its golf resorts and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Paris Island where all female recruits and males from east of the Mississippi are trained.

It was “all hands on deck” as we came into Beaufort’s marina with Jay docking the boat under Dan’s tutelage and Cheryl throwing lines to the helping hands on the dock.  Nice job CREW!

CHERYL WITH THE LINES READY

JAY DOCKING, DAN COACHING

Arriving in Beaufort for the night we found that the Gullah Festival was this weekend’s happening.  The term Gullah refers to those direct descendants of African slaves that populate the Low Country and their unique language, foods, art and traditions. 

CHERYL AND JAY ENJOYING THE BEAUFORT SWINGS

In search for the perfect place for dinner, we were unable to resist “Q on bay”!  How could we?  We were helpless to resist its giant Q and its pulled pork barbecue and sweet tea.  Mighty fine Carolina barbecue!

Q ON BAY FOR BARBECUE

05/26/2012  SATURDAY         BOHICKET MARINA

43 NM FROM BEAUFORT, SC TO BOHICKET MARINA ON SEABROOK ISLAND JUST OFF THE NORTH EDISTO RIVER AND SOUTH WEST OF CHRLESTON

By 8:30 we were casting off and passing under the Ladies Island Swing Bridge.  Our original plans were to head to Charleston today but the threat of Tropical Storm Beryl has encouraged us to seek refuge in the protection of Bohicket River’s marina.  Beryl is the second named Atlantic storm of this hurricane season that doesn’t officially begin until June 1.  Hmmmmm, wonder what the season has in store?

Today Cheryl proved to be an “A-1” captain while piloting Quest in the cuts and rivers of the ICW.  We were on the lookout for alligators but, alas, we never spied one of these large aquatic reptiles that make their homes in rivers, lakes, marshlands and some brackish waters.  While the crocodile with its long snout is found tropical climates such as Florida and Georgia, the alligator with its rounded snout can be found in somewhat cooler areas like the Carolinas.

CHERYL AT THE HELM

JAY ASSUMING THE CORRECT RELAXING POSITION AT THE STERN

After barreling through a Memorial Day Weekend sailing race, we found our way to the lovely Bohicket Marina and Resort and were warmly greeted with helping hands.  After checking in we made arrangements for Jay and Cheryl to get to the Charleston Airport tomorrow to pick up their rental car then took off in the tender to explore the Lowcountry waterways of South Carolina.  We meandered in the river, taking in the sights of the long, long docks that finger out into the deeper waters of the river and the wisps of shallow waterways that the flat bottom skiffs deftly maneuver.  The homes along the shore ranged from tasteful mansions to derelict trailers but all were set way back, on the solid ground beyond the marshlands.  This is the “South” with grits, gators, barbecue, sweet tea, salt marshes, the Sea Islands, antebellum homes, Spanish Moss dripping from the trees and threatening hurricanes!

"WATCH OUT FOR THAT QUEST!!"

05/27/2012 SUNDAY     WAITING FOR BERYL

DOCKED AT BOHICKET MARINA ON SEABROOK ISLAND

We lost our competent crew today as the Colemans departed for their week at Pinehurst, NC where they will meet Dick and Gail Ramage and the guys will attempt to get in as much golf as humanly possible.  We hope to join them on Thursday after having gotten Quest closer to the Wilmington area where she will spend her summer on the hard while receiving some much needed repair work and boring maintenance.

JAY AND CHERYL DISEMBARK QUEST

The wind picked up considerably throughout the day and Dan kept an eye on the many weather reports.  While thankful not to be in the wide open Charleston Harbor that can be rough on the best of days, it appears that the brunt of the storm will hit south of us sometime tonight or tomorrow.  At 2:00 PM it was well of the Jacksonville with winds at 65 and heading west.    The Jacksonville Jazz Festival wrapped up early, Tybee Island was closed for swimmers but all was snug back here on the Bohicket River. 

OMINOUS CLOUDS HOVER OVER THE MARINA

CALIFORNIA AND KAUAI

05/08/2012 THROUGH 05/22/2012 OUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII

Quest has been berthed at Golden Isles Marina on St. Simons Island in Georgia while we made our journey to California to help Ed (Dan’s dad) celebrate his 80^th birthday and then on to Kauai to cheer on our grandson, Keola, during his high school graduation!

Ed’s party was a huge success, thanks to Jan and Debi’s hard work.  It was so good to see Ed’s face light up as one old friend after another came into his line of sight. 

AND THE PARTY BEGINS

DENNIS AND ANITA RUMMENS CHATTING WITH MARTIN

GRANDPA ED WITH ELLEN

ED REMINISCES WITH SCOTT, MILE AND BOBBY

Dan and I enjoyed visiting with everyone and especially appreciated the lodgings with the Hoffstadts, the Colemans and Mike and Chris.  Thanks for letting us use your luscious Porsche, Chris!! 

We were lucky to be at the "right place at the right time" to watch Brian Coleman and Jay coach Morgan's softball team, the Knockoutz. in the playoff game.  Brings back pleasant memories!  We also had a marvelous Mother's Day brunch with their family just before heading to the airport for our flight to Kauai.

JAN, KRISTEN, JUDY , MORGAN, CHERYL AND MAKENNA
BRIAN, KYLIE, JAY AND DAN

Mother's Day night found us in Kauai celebrating with Hula Pie at Dukes.  Poor Dwayne had to work a banquet at the Hyatt but we all ate his share of the pie!!

MAKOA, TAKARA, KEOLA, ERIN AND MAILE (TALIA)

Graduation in Hawaii is so unique to the islands.  After the ceremony the grads gather on the football field to greet their family and friends who adorn them with leis, hugs and wishes for a prosperous future. 

KEOLA AND HIS "SIGN"

HAPPY TO BE THERE TO CELEBRATE

MAKOA, TAKARA AND MAILE WITH KEOLA

KEOLA DECORATED WITH HAWAIIAN LEIS

After 16 hours of air and taxi travel we arrived back at Quest on Tuesday. May 22.  We found everything fine there and enjoyed a thunderous storm that night.

04/30/2012 HELLO GEORGIA

 JACKSONVILLE TO ANCHORAGE ON THE BRICKHILL RIVER IN GEORGIA
55 NM

Good buy hugs were quickly given and received as Quest headed back down the St. Johns river to the ICW and Whisper continued on up the river to rest on the hard for the summer while Vic and Marilyn spend some time at home in Newfoundland.

What a busy place the St. Johns River is.  Today we watched a fire boat put the guns to it and shoot on to unknown destinations and security boats patrolling a ship offloading military ground equipment.

PLACES TO GO!!!

SECURITY WAS TIGHT AROUND THIS SHIP
 OFFLOADING MILITARY EQUIPMENT

We were also fortunate enough to see two French tall ships that will be participating in the annual Tall Ship Challenge that begin in Savannah, GA on May 5^th.  The festivities will then move to Greenport, NY then continue on to Newport, RI and finish in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This event rotates yearly between this route, the Great Lakes and the Pacific Coast.  Both the Etoile and sister ship La Bella Ponte were stationed in Portsmouth, England during WW II and can fly the French Ensign imposed with the Cross of Lorraine in recognition of their services. 

TALL SHIP ETOILE

LA BELLA POULE

Turning north into Sister’s Creek and passing under the bridge made it official, we are now back in the ICW.  Sisters Creek turned into Sawpit Creek, crossed the Nassau River then we entered the South Amelia River.  At Fernandina we pulled into Florida Petroleum’s dock and took on fuel and waved to a passing USCG boat. 

HEY THERE, USCG, GOOD TO SEE YA!

Leaving Fernandina we crossed the Cumberland Sound and found ourselves in the lovely state of Georgia.  The ICW, tucked behind Cumberland Island, offered up a beautiful and tranquil vista and we anchored in solitude on the Brickhill River.

Our nature sightings included a magnificent Bald Eagle basking on the river banks, scads of rays leaping in the waters near Cumberland Island and the return of those grapefruit sized jellyfish.

JELLYFISH INVASION