This day has provided much appreciated smooth sailing. We had an easy departure from Beaufort, and even got to sleep in a bit as slack current wasn’t till after 9am. Paula got to talk to one of the crew of the largest yacht on the pier, as each of us was wiping dew off her respective boat. The crew member revealed she was from Montana and had lived and worked aboard the yacht for three years and “loved it”.
The two fixed bridges we passed had plenty of clearance, and we had several dolphin sightings. Again the waterways revealed a handful of cruisers but plenty of speedy Grady Whites, Sea Hunts, and other rapid fishing boats.
It was a very pretty approach to Hilton Head Island and the homes lining the shore were stately and beautiful. Passing Hilton Head, we again saw evidence of hurricane damage, and calls from boaters to Hilton Head Harbor Marina confirmed that it, and most other island concerns, were closed indefinitely for repairs.
The Cooper River, our anchorage for tonight, faces Daufuskie Island, and is surrounded by salt marsh and lined on the port side by telephone poles and wires fading away into the distance (featured picture). There is a good breeze but we had to break out the “Deep Woods Off” for intermittent waves of “NoSeeEms”, tiny little biting gnats who have a disproportionate sting for their size. Two grackles landed on our boat, inspected us and apparently found us lacking, as they flew off and did not return. There are egrets, terns, cormorants and anhingas.
Dinner was thawed and rewarmed sausage and bean chili, made and frozen back in August, and quick-bake cheddar cheese corn muffins. We’ve already been through one low tide and one current reversal since we arrived here this afternoon, and the anchor seems well set.
Even better, we got to talk with our oldest daughter Margeaux and her fiancé Nestor today, and got to talk with our youngest daughter Glennis last night, and texted with her again today.
Today is Glennis’ birthday, which she shares with her paternal grandmother Betty Anne Corby. We send our wishes for happy, safe, and healthy birthdays this year and every year to both of these beautiful and much loved ladies!
4 Responses
Where do you guys think you’ll stop next? And how does Tommy think you guys will get from Savannah southward. It’s a true maze of waterways and islands and I was curious about the route you’d take! Once near Jacksonville it’s a pretty straight shot to St. Augustine. Oh, and talked to Mom and Dad, and they are really enjoying reading your posts and tracking your progress!!!
Hi Rich (Tom here) – We’re still going to follow the ICW all the way through Georgia. We just put down the anchor for today about 30 miles beyond the Georgia border. It really was a scenic ride today. We’ll be anchoring out again tomorrow night and then may stop in Golden Isles Marina (St. Simon’s) for a couple nights.
In celebration for Halloween I wanted to send you Bobby’s (my middle son) miniature pumpkin patch. They sit outside our front door. However, they would not paste into your website. I tried to 2 ways. Hope your morming will be misty (but clear with the rising sun) with the event of this spooky day, Jean and Tom
Oh, Jean, so sorry you couldn’t get the pumpkin patch so show up in your comment. We’d love to see it, can you email it to me? Happy Halloween! I have no costume, but am wearing my orange tee shirt.