Home Again or Timing is Everything

We arrived home Tuesday morning in what has become a recent tradition of moving in far too dramatic conditions. We anchored in Cedar Creek MM188 in the ICW Monday night. The weather forecast for Tuesday was awful; gale force winds, rain, hail, etc., so although we were only 3 hours from home we got underway at 6AM. The wind steadily increased to near gale force by the time we reached Fairfield Harbour. Then just to make the landing interesting the bow thruster quit working. We managed to dock safely with some unsual boat handling. Just in time; within another 1/2 hour the wind was over gale force and the water level in the creek dropped to a point where we would not have been able to get home had we delayed.

This blog is meant to keep folks who are interested up to date on our cruising. Since this cruise is over and we are moving into heavy duty boat maintenance we are going into standby mode with this entry. It will be active again with our cruise next winter. Have a nice Summer and Fall.

A Close Call

We are anchored in Wrightsville Beach in 25-30 knots of wind. The wind came up as we entered the Cape Fear River at Southport. With the wind behind us and the tide going out the river was very choppy with steep seas, The boat was difficult to keep on course and a freighter who overtook us disregarded all the rules of the road for overtaking vessels. Without any communication the ship passed us as as we had difficulty steering a straight line. The ship passed within 30 feet of us. Not a good experience. The weather this year has been lousy and even into late May it continues to be very windy. Home by Tuesday we hope.

A Distance Record

We left Ashpoo River early yesterday morning intending to anchor in the S Santee River, but as the day wore on the weather forecast for Thursday night and Friday got worse so we decided to press on to Georgetown if possible. We rode the favorable tide current for hours at a time, more than we ever had. We left Ashpoo at 0630 and tied up at Georgetown Landing at 1845; 12 hours and 15 minutes to cover 112 statue miles. Exceeding the previous record of 99 miles. The howling winds last night made us very glad to be tied up. We will stay here today as the wind continues to howl as a cold front approaches; will be off to some destination tomorrow. (note that the rising tide wiped out Plan A written in sand; we are now on Plan B)

Slogging Along

We left St Simons Tuesday morning and anchored just south of Savannah in the Vernon River. A long day but there is no point in stopping early. Today was Vernon River to Ashpoo River about 37 miles south of Charleston. The "plan" is South Santee River tomorrow, Myrtle Beach Friday, Wrightsville Beach Saturday, Cedar Creek Sunday and home Monday. Remember, its all written in sand. On we go.

Severe Weather Warning

We are surrounded by tornado warning sirens, emergency vehicles, winds and rain, and emergency weather broadcasts.. We sat in the pilot house and watched a tornado entrained in a severe thunderstorm, a real funnel cloud, pass in front of us and cross St Simons Island. It did touch down on the Island and cause some damage. The cold front is supposed to arrive late this afternoon and bring gale force winds tomorrow. We won't leave here before Tuesday. At least we are safe and secure (unless another tornado comes closer). I tried to get a picture but it was too dark. Fun on the water.

St Simons Island

After a long day we are moored at the Golden Isles Marina. At first we thought we could not get here from Pine Island but an additional incentive was a forecast of gale force winds Sunday and perhaps Monday. We will be here for at least two nights and maybe longer. I have no desire to anchor in the ICW in 30 knot winds again as we did last night. Age either makes us wiser or more timid (or both); your choice.

Progress of a sort

Here we are anchored at Pine Island in a near gale. We have gone from Vero Beach to Titusville to Daytona to here. A few days ago it looked like we could go outside and make some real progress, but the weather has turned windy and is forecasted to stay that way for another week. We plan on stopping in St Simons to see Artie who is recovering from a heart attack, and then continue slogging north. As previously noted several times the weather this winter (and now Spring) has been far from good. On we go.

A Place NOT to Go

When anchoring in the Causeway anchorage in Fort Pierce do NOT anchor in position 27 -27.355N / 080-18.282 W. The chart shows a large deep pool of water; what it does not show is the two sunken barges at this position. We found this morning that our anchor had become very attached to one of the barges. After vain attempts to raise the anchor, almost ruining the bowsprit in the process (we didn't) we called Tow Boat US. The tow captain said he knew what it was and would bring a diver out to try to save the anchor. They arrived promptly and found the anchor snagged on the corner of one of the barges; took 3 minutes to free it. Not a good start of the day, but a satisfactory ending. We are in Vero Beach for a couple of days and then heading home as rapidly as possible.

Here we are

We had a great crossing of the Gulf Stream today. As usual the weather people had it wrong, forecasting higher seas. Anchored in Ft Pierce tonight, on to Vero Beach tomorrow. Then a push to get home. More as the plan developes.

On the Way (we hope)

We are at West End in Grand Bahama planning on crossing the Gulf Stream to Fort Pierce tomorrow. The marina here (the most expensive we have ever stayed in) is stuffed full of boats all of which swear they are crossing tomorrow. Stay tuned.