Gale from Georgetown to south of Charleston

It was immediately obvious this morning that this was not a day to be moving on the water. The National Weather Service labeled this a "major winter coastal storm" and it is. There is some small chance that this will blow out tonight but it may continue on through tomorrow also. All we can do is wait and see.

Chet
Friday, 12/18
11:30 AM

Georgetown, SC (serious question for how long)

We are at Georgetown, SC tonight and maybe for several more nights. A major storm is moving up from FL with heavy rain and gale force winds; we will probably have to stay right here. Some pictures: (1) Waccamaw River has many Osprey nests, all empty as its not spring breeding season yet. By April they will be full of families with babies (2) The transiant dock at Georgetown Landing Marina. We are the only boat here. In the last two days we have only seen one sailboat, and no power cruisers. The VHF radio is very quiet.

The Waccamaw River (about 25 miles long) is the most beautiful part of the ICW.

Stay tuned for the next report of weather effect on travel.

Chet

Thursday, 12/17

4:40PM

Barfoot Landing, Myrtle Beach tonight

We are at Barefoot Landing in N Myrtle Beach. No picture today. A long but routine day on the ICW. Down to freezing tonight. We are 200 miles south of where we started but the weather follows us. The only certainly is that the Florida border is magical; no more cold weather on the ICW. A number of days before we prove that again. Off to Georgetown tomorrow.

Chet
Wednesday, 12/16
5:07 PM

Wrightsville Beach Tonight

This "Pink House" is really ugly. Located 5 miles or so south of New River, when we see it we think the cruise has started. A overcast cloudy, foggy day but uneventful day. The forecast is for high winds tonight and tomorrow. If the wind dies down tomorrow we will try to get down the Cape Fear River to Southport. We'll see.

Chet
Tuesday 12/15
4:16 PM

FINALLY UNDERWAY!

After 10 days of delays we are finally underway. Staying at Caspers Marina in Swansboro and took on the least expensive diesel on the ICW (not cheap, least expensive). The nature shot of the day is a deer swimming across the ICW. Off to Wrightsville Beach tomorrow.

Chet

Monday, 12/14

6:10 PM

One problem fixed, now for the weather

This is what a burned out voltage regulator looks like. Looks "normal" but doesn't work. We replaced it yesterday. Now if the gales would stop we could move on. Looks like Saturday now.

Chet

Thursday, 12/10

3:55 PM

Have been trying to get underway

This is the first posting for what we hope will be the 2009/2010 winter cruise. With all the food and clothes loaded on the boat we are living on the boat behind the house.These are shots from the end of the dock behind our house. (1) Our house, which we left two days ago for the boat (2) A view of the swamp across the creek (3) and a view down the creek toward Northwest Creek Marina.

We tried to get underway Monday and discovered the latest delay, a failed alternator regulator. We are awaiting an overnight shipment of a new regulator.

There have been a series of delays. First Dixie developed an inflamed knee for no obvious reason. A trip to the doctor statrted the healing process but she still cannot stay on the knee for a protracted period. Then the weather turned, bringing a gale with it and another delay. Now the electrical problem which should be resolved by tomorrow night; but the current weather forecast calls for another gale starting tonight and lasting for the next two days. Looks like we will not get away before Friday. We still plan on getting to Marathon by the end of December, but boat plans are written in sand at low tide; we'll see how things go. Stay tuned.

Chet Marks