Day 119

Saturday - Topped off the fuel tank and continued to North West Creek Marina. Had a great current through the entire length of Adams Creek. Reached NWC Marina at 1 pm. Barbara's Joy II is now at a new location on the end of the "T" dock which is great. The next two days have been the hotest of the entire trip.
We had a good experience on this our longest trip.
Thanks for following our blog and your comments.

The End

Day 115, 116, 117 & 118

Tuesday - Arrived in Carolina Beach to find it very windy, gusting to 28 mph. Decided not to anchor. We found a small marina but there was no attendants. Made a cell phone call and got permission to stay on their face dock. These is the Federal Point Yacht Club Marina. A marina that is open to transients but can not take credit cards. "Not for profit" is the reason. It took 2 tries to land the boat since the wind was against us. Barbara did very well in lasoing the cleat. We got secured and relaxed for the evening, the wind backed down to 10 mph.
Wednesday - The forcast indicated more wind for Wednesday, so, we stayed one more night. Phyllis, our friend, can to dinner and we had a great night. The wind did gust to 34 mph during the day. Good to be on a dock. Very nice marina with great facilities. When we left the dock, we noticed fly ash all over the boat. On the way we heard the CG close the ICW south of us. The crusiers had problems with the Little River Swing Bridge, the fire and then the Sunset Bribge was closed for low tide. BAD DAY.
Thursday - Arrived at Mile Hammock Bay, home of the US Marine Corps, to anchor for the night. We met John and Judy of "Gypsea" again and had them over for dinner. Barbara does like to entertain! They are very nice. When we left this anchorage we also had fly ash all over the boat.
Friday - We left for Morehead City to anchor behind "No Name Island" but found no room. The dock at Santary Fish Market was the next choice. Ten dollars a night to tie to their dock is good. No water or electric, but that's a fair price. It's a little bussy but get very quiet later.

Day 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, & 114

Wednesday - Left Wappoo Creek anchorage. Passed the CG launching 4 of their fast boats, guns and all. Passed the CG at Charleston "slowly", then 2 high speed chase boats passed me going out to sea. These are 40 foot ,carry 8 crew and patrol the coast. They can run over 40 mph. and are armed. We arrived at Isle of Palms Marina before noon. Had to get prepared for Eileen's family (less Bill). They arrived at 1:30 pm. We quickly celebrated Jennifer's birthday. By 3 pm we were on our way to Charleston. We took a carrage ride to start our tour. We found Bubba Gump's Resturant and really enjoyed it. Good food and fun.
Thursday - continued our tour of Charleston. We visited The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Fort Sumpter and found our way back to Bubba's Gump. Another fun time at dinner.
Friday - Visited Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. John Boone arrived in the new world in 1670. The Plantation was formed from a grant from King Charles II in 1681. The live oaks, that line the long drivway today, were planted by the son of John Boone in 1743. They form a canape with the branchs almost touching each other. The long drive is shaded the entire length. Before the civil war, this plantation had over 200 slaves and 4000 acres. Very interesting and historical tour. The time line is up to date which includes President Obama and the roots of his wife dating back to slavery.
Saturday - Family departed about 10 am. We left shortly afterward for an anchorage in Minum Creek. Isle of Palms Marina may not be revisited. No laundry facility and limited number of slips are the main short falls. The price suggest a much nicer marina.
Sunday - Left Minum Creek for Cow House Creek off the Waccamaw River. Had to avoid some large tree stumps on our way, but we had a very peaceful night.
Monday - Left our peaceful anchorage for Myrtle Beach Yacht Club Marina. The forcast indicated high winds and storms, so we elected to stay at the marina. Getting to the marina early enabled us to do the laundry and get water.

Day 106, 107 & 108

Sunday - Arrived at Tom Point Creek and set two anchors to pratice and stay away from the mud on the edge of the creek. Our next anchorage will require two anchors due to many boats that use the popular anchorage and the size of the anchorage. We will need to get some protection from the forcasted wind. While anchored at Tom Point Creek, our friends, The Susanne, can by to anchor. It was a surprise to both of us. we met them in the Keys and enjoyed their company.
Monday - Arrived at Wappoo Creek to spend two days in the lea of the land and to get off the boat to look around James Island. Had lunch at the Crab House and enjoyed a walk to the mall. At the mall, we spoke to a couple of "dam yankees" from Long Island. They own several businesses but still speak funny.
Tuesday - Spent the morning cleaning and preparing for our daughter and family's visit. They will spend Wednesday thru Saturday and we will celebrate Jennifier's 12 birthday. Also, we will tour Charleston. Jennifer has spent time researching what she would like to see.

Day 103, 104 & 105

Thursday - Needed to spend another day at Kilkenny Creek to get back on schedule. Exployed the creek a little , them to the shrimp dock. Came up empty at the dock. But were able to get on land and take a nice walk. There is a marina down the road that sell ICE CREAM. This area is out in the country quiet far. They have some of the largest live oaks we have ever seen. These oaks form a canopy for the homes and cars. One oak in the parking lot is large enough to park many cars underneath. These trees must be great shade in the heat of the summer in Ga.
Friday - Left for Savannah to see our friends. Arrived at Thunderbolt Marina by noon. Nice marina, good showers and big boats. Our friends, Donnalee and Micheal, arrived at the boat to take us to check out Savannah. They have rented a very old home. Twelve foot ceilings, beautiful wood floors and beautiful trees provide nice shade. They are only 2 blocks from the city park which is very large and well kept. We went to the Blue Moon for dinner to celebrate their move.
Saturday - Back at the marina, we got pumped out, filled the water tank and left for Cowen Creek. Recommended by another friend, Robert. Anchored 3 miles up the creek for peace and quite.

Day 100, 101 & 102

Monday - Still at Brunswick. Barbara had a reaction to some medicine and needed to change to another drug. Once she stopped the original one she felt better shortly. Good news, no reaction to the new drug. Everything stops when the crew doesn't feel well.
Tuesday - Our new dock neighbors told us that the farmers market was open Tuesday and Thursday, in addition to Saturday. Off to the market we went. Brought two bags of fresh veggies. Got them back to the boat, then to lunch at Artie's Italian Restruant.
Wednesday - Wind slowed to 20 mph, so we left Brunswick. headed for Walburg Creek,GA. When we got there, the wind was out of the wrong direction. So we continued to the alternate anchorage at Kilkenny Creek. Nice and quite.

Day 99

Sunday - The little town of Brunswick is closed up on Sunday. I worked on the rust spots we recieved fron the Daytona high rise bridge. They were sand blasting as we went under it. I anchored a short distance from the bridge and noticed little "resen" like balls all over the deck. When we got to a marina the next day, we noticed they were rust spots. Seems the maintenance crew uses iron balls to sand blast the paint. When they reach the salt water, they dissapear. The best to remove rust stains with little effort is "Bar Keepers Friend". only $1.65 a can and it works great. Great on stainless too.

Day 97 & 98

Friday - Last night was a poor night for sleeping. Rain, rain and more rain with lots of lighting and thunder. Also, tornado watches and warnings until midnight. We left early and headed for Brunswick Landing Marina where we intended to stay a few days.
Saturday - We made a great choice for a marina. Quite, sheltered and great people. The little town of Brunswick is very nice with great resturants and old hardware stores. After getting desert at 4th of May Cafe, we stepped out side (9pm) and spent 40 minutes speaking to the owner of the marina. He was there to pick up his daughter who worked at the resturant. He wanted our opinion/impression of some things. We thought he was very nice but other people (marina workers)questioned our impression. Depends if your a customer or an employee.
75% of the marina is filled with boats from the north are left for 5 or 6 months. Owners come to maintain and provision the boats then cruse farther south. Saves them time and they don't have to fight the cold. It doesn't freeze here, therefore, no winterization. It is said that this is a very good huricane hole. No huricanes in memory.
We intend to stay a here a few more days since bad weather is forcasted.

Day 96

 
 

Thursday - Because of our exposure to south and west winds, we moved our anchorage north about 15 miles. On the way, we took some pictures of the nuclear submarine degussing facility and a submarine. This sub was "hidden" from view until 2 large Coast Guard ships move out as we passed. The small CG boats in the photo were to excort the sub out to sea. No boats are allowed to be within 100 yards of the channel as the sub leaves. Some vessels had to turn around and head south until it passed them.
We are now anchored on the north side of Cumberland Island in creek, off Brickhill River, to shelter us from waves amd wind. No other boats here, yet. The entrance to this River was silted over. I needed two attempts to get pass the entrance. It looked like only 3 feet of water at max. low tide. I need 3.5 feet so I pushed .5 feet of silt for 100 feet. Barbara is so bored, that besides reading alot, she now has started quilting. Could clean but ......... ! I have to do everything. Only kidding. !

Day 95

Wednesday - Last night we had a very heavy rain and t'storms. Checked the dinghy this morning and found it half full of rain water. It took 1/2 hr to bail it our. Rain all day today. Gave me time to update this blog. Barbara cut my hair because I was looking "scruffie". I thought I looked good !
I finally beat Barbara at Mexican Train Dominoes which is good news.
We will stay here until Thursday morning.

Day 94

 
 
 
 

Tuesday - Anchored at Cumberland Island overnight. We unloaded the dinghy and motor and headed for the Ranger Station (2nd dock). Barbara loves to walk the beach, so, we walked the ocean beach, which is the other side of the island. There are wild horses on this island. The photos show our view from the boat. Hores on the bay side of the island, nuclear sub. facility with degaussing building on the mainland and the dock at the ranger's station.