Tonight we are moored at the Westin in Savannah, just across the river from the expensive side, so we have to take a free ferry over there for the sights and sounds of one of the great southern cities. Last night we were at the Windmill Marina on Hilton Head Island, which turned out to be even more snazzy than it sounds. We were able to use our Bayfield Yacht Club membership (and it really doesn't seem much like a yacht club compared the the South Carolina Yacht Club we stayed at!) to get a very cheap rate. The place had a set of locks to enter it so the poor yachties don't have to deal with the tides.
Here is a blog entry from Bob Meyenburg, my latest crew guy. Disregard anything he says that conflicts with anything I say in my blog.
Day
5, 120 miles from Charleston, SC traveling south on the Intercoastal
Waterway (ICW). Jeff and I are docked in front of the Westin hotel on
the Savannah river across from downtown Savannah, Ga.
We
had a fine day touring the historic district in a trolley car bus
driven by our guide Rueben - a very funny guy. A little overcast today
and light rain but no big deal. Savannah is a great tourist town with a
busy waterfront and a free ferry to take us back across when we were
ready. Chocolate chip ice cream and pizza. Live it up fat boy!
We
left Charleston on Day 2 and went 50+ miles anchoring off the ICW near
the mouth of the Bull River. A sunny day, although it was cool, the
night on the boat was calm and uneventful, that is, until morning. We
were distracted just long enough after pulling up the anchor and drifted
towards shore and caught a "crab pot" around the prop. This is not good
as it has a tendency to strangle your forward motion. Har Har. Jeff
thought he might have to don his diving gear and cut the Adirondack
free. I volunteered to watch the boat. Fortunately the new line cutter
just installed on the shaft (?) did the job. Jeff was quite relieved.
Day
3 we spent anchored ( for free) outside the marina in Beaufort, SC. We
took the dinghy into town and did some touring in their historic district
in a one-eyed horse drawn carriage. 26 year old Charlotte was our
driver and guide. Seems the horse had cancer in his 3rd eyelid and
survived and now pulls tourists 2-3 days a week. Beaufort is a very
pleasant community. We crossed the river to find a restaurant we heard
of and met some marina people who shared their beer right off with Jeff,
who couldn't say enough about southern hospitality. Seems they were
California transplants though - HA. Then we went to the Filling Station
(bar) and had a 10 dollar steak meal.
Day 4 we
left Beaufort for Hilton Head Island. A real special place noted for
boating and golfing. We passed Parris Island where young Marines to be
train. So, Jeff starts calling marinas and gets a reciprocity deal with
the South Carolina Yacht Club. This marina had a lock we had to pass
through, the inside of the marina is protected from tides and weather,
so this is a pretty big deal. So we tie up right in front of like...a
dockside mansion. If all the boats in this marina were sold and applied
to the national debt we could tell the Chinese to take a hike. The MAN
at the lobby door reminded Jeff to remove his hat (can't take him
anyplace).
So, Day 5 we arrive in Savannah, GA. What a wonderful place to include on a vacation in the south.
I
have to mention that the ICW is near but a safe distance from the
ocean. It is salt water, dolphins, cormorants, pelicans, and huge
marshlands ranging out from shore. The elite build large beautiful homes
on shore with walkways and docks that stretch out extremely long
distances to reach the ICW. Like I could build one too if Susan and I
sold our house to finance it. Of course we would have live in a tent on
the beach. HA.
Tomorrow we'll leave Savannah
and continue our trip to Jacksonville, FL. The plan is to return before
Thanksgiving, around Nov. 18-20.
Avast ye landlubbers,
Bob
Snowing in MN. Glad you guys are having fun and checking out good places for the trip UP the ICW next Spring! Sally
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