November 22 – Thanksgiving Day in St. Marys, GA

We arrived at Lang’s Marina in St. Marys, GA.  As soon as we arrived Bill started cooking a turkey, dressing, sweet and white potatoes and of course, cranberries and pumpkin pie for dessert. Who said you can’t have a Thanksgiving feast on a boat.

What a unique town, it is something you would read about in a paperback novel.  There is basically one street that has a park where children actually play and families gather for picnics.  I felt like we were rowing back the clock to the 1950’s. The town has a submarine museum that we went through, of course Bill being a submariner we had to visit. There are several bars within walking distance from the marina.  As soon as you come into town all the tour centers say that you have to go to Seagle’s Saloon and meet Miss Cindy.  What a hoot, the bar is unique and food is delicious.  Miss Cindy reminded me of Don Rickels everyone that walked into the place she insulted and gave them a ration of s..t!  It was like watching a comedy hour.  I loved the signs on the wall.

Bill at the submarine museum with the USS Tonosa

Cindy and Matt at Seagle’s Saloon

One of many beautiful sunsets

November 27, 2012

We are leaving St. Marys around 7am and went offshore and had calm seas.  We entered St. Augustine Inlet and continued to Daytona, stayed at Halifax Marina.

Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA Nov. 13-21

November 13 – Happy Birthday Bill – This was a long hard day on the ICW we ran aground but were able to wait for the tide to change then were able to get underway.  We could see a storm brewing and were able to get to Charleston City Marina, SC just as a storm was about to hit.  When we checked the engine we noticed that there was water in the bilge again.  We had Bill and Jake from Charleston City Boatyard Office take a look at the raw water pump and they discovered that the forward outboard engine mount was broken.  It looks like we will be here for a few more days than expected, but you couldn’t ask for a better place to be stranded.  Bill and Matt took this opportunity to rewire the fly bridge, which was never wired properly when we bought the boat.

Rusted motor mount

Rewiring the dashboard

The entire time we are here it is cold and windy, needed heavy jackets and sweaters. While the boat was being worked on it gave us an opportunity to do some sightseeing in old Charleston. Bill and I took a buggy ride around the city that is something we really enjoyed.  We discovered a couple of really good restaurants near the marina.

Historical Charleston

 

 

November 20 – Finally the weather has cleared and the boat is repaired, we are really heading south.  Today we made it to Thunderbolt Marina in Savannah, GA.  This was one of our longer days, but well worth it.  While here we went to Tubby’s Restaurant which is something that we did in 1996, and the hospitality was the same.

November 21, Bad day we ran aground hard at Hell’s Gate and had to call Towboat US.  I cleaned the strainers while Bill and Matt launched the dingy and put out a stern anchor.  Thank GOD for a rising tide and assistance provided by Towboat US.  They pulled us off and we were on our way in less than two hours to St. Simons Island, GA to Morning Star Marina.

Bill and Matt dropping a stern anchor

November 10-11, 2012

Hope to make Morehead City.  When we were underway we passed our old Gemini 3400 Catamaran.  Bill recognized it because of the radar set up.  He hailed them and they said they bought the boat in Canada.  Apparently it had been repossessed. It sure brought back good memories, but it also felt good to pass them and leave them in the wind because they can only go 6 knots per hour. We certainly don’t miss that part! We stayed at Portside Marina in Morehead City, NC.  Nice marina and would definitely stop there again.

November 11, Wrightsville Beach, NC made this an early day.  This is not one of my favorite places to stay therefore we only spent one night here.

November 12, Myrtle Beach, SC we docked at Osprey Marina, note lowest prices for fuel.  This marina I will keep on our list to return to.  The people were wonderful and the cost of docking was the lowest we have come across.  Below are some pictures of flotsam that we encountered on our way there.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Flotsam leaving Osprey Marina

Myrtle Beach Golf Club

November 9, 2012

Finally the day has arrived where we are heading for Coinjock Marina Restaurant in NC.  We really could have gone much further but we had to stop for their famous prime rib.  Once you have had a taste of this you will always want to make the stop.  While there Stan and Claire, aboard Summer Daze, joined us for dinner.

Going through the Great Bridge Lock

Leaving Coinjock, NC

We stopped at Dowry Creek Marina to get fuel, and because it was unique I am inserting these pictures.

Getting fuel at Dowry Creek Marina

 

Bottle Tree