3.30.08

We found out later that a fishing boat sunk a few miles from us for the same reason...taking on water....a sailboat was towed in the same afternoon....the Coast Guard has been busy the last few days...

Coast Guard Rescue

Well...the trip has ended for Lingerawhile......Jim and I...Ruby and Raisin and our bird Babe are fine....but that's all we were able to save....(the whole crew).

Never dreamt we'd be posting this picture. But no better group of guys to pose with...they do an incredible job....Wish we were younger...(I doubt they'd take Great-Grandparents)...This would be a good profession for anyone who likes the water...and for those of us who do....they are definately a necessity!!!!....we never realized how important they were...this stuff always happens to someone else...

We are already looking for another boat to continue our trip but have to start from scratch....so will be heading home to regroup. The "Google Search" has several news releases..

We are currently in Oriental NC ...waiting for the water to calm enough for boat recovery...This happened on Wed. and it is now Sun...so there may not be much to salvage...we were informed the hull and cabin had seperated after we were rescued.

3.24.08

Jim thinks he finally found the leak in the dingy and we have it on the dock ...all patched...needs to dry for 24 hrs.....gives us a good reason to spend another night at the dock...with electricity...and perhaps a walk across the bridge to a seafood restaurant....courtesy car if it's too cold for a walk...

Plenty of hot water with great pressure in the showers.....we paid $3.30 for gas. Very nice people here...we are enjoying our stay....the marine store is a superstore for fishermen. I could go broke buying lures and stuff here. Fun place to shop and it looked like they had a lot of the necessary stuff too.

We sit so low they put us at the launch ramp dock...it works perfectly for us...short distance to walk the dogs....they sure do aim to please their customers.

The grocery store is only a few miles away and so is the postoffice...as well as, a couple of waterfront restaurants.

3.23.08

7:45 and the heater is going...50's this morning..inside....I didnt get any pictures today...too cold to stand outside and the windows are coated with salt spray...pretty much the same thing so far....fancy houses....some are pretty unique...

We are headed for Dudley's Marina in Swansboro NC for fuel and a slip for the night.....$.75 a ft, courtesy car, showers, etc....cant pass that up....

3.22.08

We had the anchor up at 0715 and were cruising while I made coffee. At 0730 we crossed into NC...sunny, warm and the water a beautiful light green. We arrived at a pontoon bridge about 10 minutes before it opened....our timing was great...and we had never seen one in operation....traffic is stopped...and the cable that pulls the bridge to the side and opens the channel has to be lowered and then he signals you to pass thru...The bridge master works from the building on the moveable bridge.....very interesting.....

Visited with Mitchel and Martha aboard M&M Journey..via radio...future "Loopers".

There are a lot of interesting homes along the route....these are a bit "gingerbready" for my taste...but I still thought they looked good together...

I have been aprehensive about cruising the Cape Fear River....today was the day....it can be a very dangerous place....the wind was right...the tide wasnt...we were a bit early...so had steep rolling waves but not quite as bad (or as much fun for Jim) as Winyah Bay...this time we had other boats crossing and wasnt sure we enjoyed the company...when they flew by us the "confused" seas were really confusing...but all in all it was a fun ride...

At the Carolina Beach Inlet at G155 a tug and barge were grounded...we'd been hearing about their problem for quite awhile on the VHF radio. A beautiful boat, Sequel, had passed us in the morning and he was calling for a tow as he was grounded in front of the tug....by the time we got there...Sequel was off the bar...8 or 10 boats were milling around trying to find a way thru.....we tried going behind the barge but the wind was so strong we were being pushed towards shore so spun around and tried crossing in front of him ...in the main channel...we lightly grounded....and we only draw 1 ft (maybe a few inches more with all our stuff). We could feel the bottom as the waves bounced us...Jim raised the motor and the wind blew us into deeper water....and off we went....3 more boats grounded and were calling for tows a few minutes later......Many of the boats at docks were sitting on the bottom...I dont know if that is normal or not....perhaps an unusually low tide? We are still trying to figure them out...

We found a spot off the main channel to anchor....near R130....had to cross 2 1/2 ft of water at the entrance but anchored in 6' and the tide was still out so we should be good....we'll just have to watch going out in the morning.....

It's 2am...the wind is kicking up...and colder....will be on anchor watch till it lets up....

The ICW is full of boats...sometimes it's a worse ride than either of the rough bays...you not only have to watch out for big boat wakes but some of them dont even realize they could be shoving you into shallow water or a marker or even a smaller boat...we have always tried to avoid weekends or holidays....but here we are...Easter Weekend...in a narrow channel with alot of miles to go....

3.21.08

Today was an easy cruising day....woke up to a bit of fog ..so didnt hurry...only 30 mi to next anchorage...cant make the last one before Cape Fear so are splitting it. Put the motor on the dingy and went for a cruise...introduced ourselves to the "Loopers" on Adios II..also in the anchorage.... They travel about the same speed we do...maybe a bit faster so we'll be seeing each other again.

We then took a tour to see if we could find a beach among all the cyprus knees...the tide was out so we were able to spot a nice sandy spot for the dogs to run......This pretty plant is growing on one of the knees where we beached.

We look pretty good thru the cyprus.

The rest of the day was spent sightseeing all the beautiful homes along the ICW...It's hard to believe so many people have such big homes....and these dont even compare the ones we
saw in the Miami and Ft Lauderdale ICW a few years ago. These are in the Myrtle Beach area....

And when you want to play golf.....you take the tram ....Wow...couldnt believe it when I saw them loaded with golfbags....thought it was a tourist thing.....you can see the golf course on the L

Now this is my idea of a development...I really like this one. There are all kinds of homes...one side of the river might be single family (big enough for 4 families) and the other side multifamily.

Colorful homes and condos.

Tonight we sit and watch all the long weekenders heading out....and ride the wakes...it should slow down after dark...but there have been several tour boats coming in from the ocean on Little River Inlet near StM 342....right across from our anchorage...at "R2"...near NC state line.

3.20.08 Waccamaw River SC

We left the dock at high tide at 9:45am, with a stiff breeze...Had no problem in the bay other than a good chop....when we were almost to the bridge I saw a big fishing boat...one of those triple deckers with tall poles...he was flying and we could see he was trying to beat us to the bridge....his wake almost swamped us....it's a good thing Jim didnt have a big boat...there would have been a major case of water rage!!! It's a good thing I had the camera turned off...it would have been all bleeps....we got the last part of his name....???Hopper....I think it was rock or something....too bad we didnt get the whole thing....we'd have made a call to the Coast Guard and made a complaint incase he's ever in a court case....up here you are responsible for your wake..

The guide said to leave at high tide for a favorable current but we've been fighting it all day...The Waccamaw reminds us of the St Johns....lots of cyprus trees and knees....but the leaves are just budding and there may have been some redbuds or dogwood....light pink blossoms....all very pretty.

We are anchored near G29 near StM 375....and the first "Looper" we've seen so far is anchored just up from us....Maybe we'll get to meet them in the morning....Adios II a Monk 36....out of Wilmington DE.

3.19.08 Winyah Bay, SC

Cloudy, 60's and we are up and moving at 7:24am. We found a nice strip of sand ...anchored out of the channel and took the dogs to shore with the dingy so they could have a nice run....all in all its starting to be a great day .....watched a small craft pulling crab pots...and a small ferry cross the river as soon as we were past. We are planning a stop at Sampit River for fuel.....we traveled up the Western Channel near StM 410 with a bit of wind but nothing more than a good breeze...but once in to the main part of Winyah Bay the wind really kicked up.....it got so bad we had no choice but to keep going...wind was behind us...seas too steep to try for a turn.....the waves lifted us up and we'd surf as much as 11 mph....down the other side we were only doing 4 or 5....then it would pick us up again and away we'd go...several times we could see a couple of feet of water higher than we were looking out? the dogs barked at the waves several times as they rolled by the window.....wild...thrilling...but at one time Jim said "I think we need a bigger boat"..I was in total agreement....we made it to the dock...fueled..pumped out the holding tank...filled water and stayed tied to the dock for the night......

Georgetown is a quaint little town and there's alot within walking distance. So we hiked to town...had dinner...mine was local steamed oysters...not what I expected...a big clump of oysters stuck together and it's like a treasure hunt to find them ..pop them open and eat....good...alot of work ...and not that many....but it was fun.....

We took a late walk with the dogs....wind was really howling in the trees....the waves in the harbor where big and we bounced against the dock at Hazard Marina, most of the night....but slept good....

3.18.08

Woke up to windy weather...cruised on up to Charleston Harbor....gave it a try at crossing...talk about a wild ride....decided we'd better turn back and wait till the wind died down and the current reversed itself.....so at slack tide we gave it another shot....Jim got real good at reading how to ride the swells and waves....and the correct amount of power.....it was an exciting run....once on the other side and headed up the ICW we had smooth water......the landscape changed again....narrow waterway and hi-dollar homes .... I doubt we could afford the electric bill.

And some real nice cruisers......and one "houseboat"? Not really sure what it was...but it didnt have any advertising like most of the tourboats have...so maybe it is someone's home...

Here's a better look at it.

We are anchored just off the ICW at Awendaw Creek, just S of StM 435. For those of you who dont have charts....StM is Statute Mile....and the ICW charts have them every 5 miles so it's easy to figure out where you are.

We thought this house interesting.....there isnt anything close to it for quite aways...and there there was another in a similar area....we could see houses way off in the distance. Didnt look like there would be much protection in a big blow....but it looked to be in good condition.

3.17.08

another nice sailboat....I could live there... either one.

Had a good nights sleep...but had to vacuum the gnats off the ceiling before bed...opened the doors to put the dogs on the "back lawn" (large square of grass from home) and they came in a swarm...the guide said "buggy" they were right.

I put some Chili in the slow cooker...that way I wont have to do much when we get to the anchorage...but eat and wash a few dishes.

StM 510 The S Edisto River...choppy....Dahoo River very choppy....Wadmalaw River....very choppy....

We are anchored in Elliott Cut....Charleston SC.

StM 480 Stono River....many very expensive homes with long long docks...and the wind is getting a bit of a bite to it.....perhaps we're heading in the wrong direction? The whole trip today was windy and choppy....maybe tomorrow will be nicer...

3.16.08

We slept in after watching the big light show last night...sometimes the lightening was so bright you couldnt look at it..

It was almost 9:30 before we hauled up the anchor and started out...We had taken down all the fenders, the bimini, and anything that could cause damage or blow away was tied down...I had everyone's life jacket ready..just in case...so all had to be put in its place.

It is still very windy. The Calibogue sound is very choppy....we need 2 windshield wipers...so I can see too. We fueled at Hilton Head Harbor...$3.68 a gal for gas...The water is SC is much prettier...a pale icy lime green...dolphins again.

StM 550

Halfway across Port Royal sound...in lumpy confused seas...6 power boats passed us....then they really were confused...Their waves really rocked us...

We had supper while cruising...hashbrowns, fish and green beans...entered Coosaw River at 4pm.

When one of these go by ...you know it.

There are some nice boats out here

3.15.08

We were up an cruising at 8am. What a beautiful day.

We decided to head up Turner Creek to visit Rick and Tammy Campbell...and see their new Catalina 350....even with short notice they met us at the dock and spent some time showing us the boat....all this after a big day celebrating St Patty's day yesterday......there are 4 marinas in a very short distance. The 4th one isnt a public marina but there is an anchorage nearby and a Publix right behind the dock....very nice people there.

Theirs is the second from the second from L

After our visit we took Turner Creek N back to the ICW...nice ride winding ride.

We anchored in Bull Creek at 4pm... a sailboat came in a few minutes later. Severe thunderstorms are predicted. I didnt realize until I saw this photo that they had set 2 anchors. Late in the afternoon the high winds started hitting us...we were in an un protected anchorage....marsh grass on one side but a few trees on the other....open water both directions and you have to anchor in the middle of the creek to allow for the tide lowering the water level...You dont want to be sitting on a bank in the morning......the anchor held...the storm passed over and we were OK....we put the TV on for local weather and saw there were a line of bad storms headed our way ..with tornado warnings and hail....at first it looked like they were passing to the N but then they changed and headed toward us....VERY windy and huge waves....Lingerawhile rode them easily....didnt see any funnel clouds but heard there had been several reported....but we did get hail!!!!! and rain so hard we couldnt see the other boat for awhile...again it passed and we were fine...Our first big storm...not the biggest but big enough for us...there was another on the way but I guess we slept thru it..so it could have missed us....there were times we didnt realize how bad it was unless we looked out at the water....that's how well the boat was riding.

3.`4.08

We had a good night at anchor...the Lingerawhile rides the swells and waves well. Water rushing under the bow makes a bit of noise but it doesnt bother us...a good way of knowing the anchor is still holding...when it gets quiet I get up to see if we are drifting away...

There is a hazy overcast but the warmth of the sun does get thru.

We started across St Catherines Sound around 1:30pm. it was quite lumpy, with a cross wind about 1 1/2 hrs before high tide. It seems strange to look out from our little boat and see the ocean...Jim is really working at steering as the swells and waves try to push us around.....but still not a bad ride...steep chop with white caps.

As we headed up Bear River we had a bit of current in our favor and a tailwind....decided to continue on and get thru Hell's Gate at high tide...no problem...it was a good choice.

Sappello Sound was another nice ride with no wind....we got a lot of cheers from a trawler towing 2 boats. Everyone was on deck yelling and waving...Jim thinks they were saying "yahhh Loopers!!"... Anchored in Moon River near StM 595

3.13.08

We anchored in Floyd Creek so decided to follow it back to the ICW. At "GA21", the entrance to the Satilla River, we nosed up to the bank to walk the dogs. It looked like mounds of shells..somtimes 3 or 4' deep. We've seen several dolphins but none stayed up long enough to photograph.

We fueled at Jekyll Harbor Marina...paid #3.56 a gal for gas.

The trip across St Simons Sound was very flat and smooth. Buttermilk Sound was a bit roughter with the wind picking up.

Anchoring on Back River near Queens Island. Beautiful sunset.

3.12.08 up anchor at 0810 and headed N on the St Johns River to Sisters Creek and the ICW. We had the current in our favor for little over and hour.. Cruised for 50 miles today and anchored on Floyd Creek...the weather is beautiful and we would have cruised longer if there hadn't been a large sound and a bit of ocean to cross before Jekyll Creek Marina..the wind is down .and the water fairly smooth but didnt want to get caught in the middle after dark. So an early stop and supper with a warm sundown. We saw several dolphins today but none close enough to photograph.
we saw several interesting boats...this one had a boom system..

similar to a Nonsuch sailboat (perhaps it is one) and then there was this one ..didnt really get to see the boat.

Both dogs used the back "lawn". Hope it continues..there are many places where we cant get ashore...tonight is one.

8.13.08 We took the alternate route up Floyd Creek since we had gone so far up to anchor anyways...and it looked like an interesting route... "at G A21", we nosed up to shore and I stepped off with the dogs...it was really just a huge shell mound. They are piled 3 & 4 ft deep in places and you definately want to have shoes on when you step off the boat...

We crossed 2 sounds today...St Simons was very flat...but Buttermilk Sound started to get pretty lumpy ...though not an uncomfortable ride. Anchored in Back River, Queens Island "G181", and had a beautiful sunset...

3.14.08 Good night at anchor....several large swells during the night but the boat rode them well...The Bulwagga anchor seems to be doing a good job with the change of tide and current direction...so far..so good...I still sleep with one eye open...and each new noise has me looking out the window...what is unusual for us is...when we go to bed at low tide...you dont see a whole lot since you are 8 or 9 ft lower than at high tide...then you wake up...look around and there are lights where there wernt any before....the first night took me a few minutes to realize we hadnt dragged anchor...

We crossed Sappello Sound with a nice ride..no wind.. Got a lot of cheers from a trawler going S

Jim thinks they were yelling "Loopers"...they were towing 2 boats....

The next sound was St Catherines STM 620...an hour and a half before high tide and a stiff crosswind made it pretty choppy...lots of white caps, foam streaks, and freckles on the waves....and Jim was busy steering with the push and pull of both....but we were both happy with the way the boat handled...We were going to anchor before the next sound but Jim noticed we'd be doing Hell's Gate , GA at low tide if we waited till morning so we went on thru....slack tide...good decision...we are anchored in Moon River..StM 595. Savannah , GA tomorrow...

Mar '08 The Great Loop Adventure

On 3.5.08 we took the boat to Jim's brother's, Carl. It was Jim's birthday so Carl treated us to a great dinner out....

3.06.08 We launched at the ramp by Whitehair Bridge, near DeLand FL. Our first night was spent by "G3" behind the island...one of our favorite beaching stops but it was taken by some campers so we anchored out...

3.07.08 We headed across Lake George...tornado watches and high winds were in the forecast...we had the high winds...and plenty of rain....but at our backs so we had a nice push N on the lake.....We tied up at the city dock in Palatka...freeze warning were out and we really appreciated the elec hookups....nice and warm all night...but had to get up and reset docklines a couple of times...wind and tides.

3..08 We noticed a fair amount of water in the port hull....and suspected a "scupper" leaking. Scuppers drain the water from the lower part of the boat..overboard...but the thru-hull fitting didnt have a good seal....A call to Carl and the truck and trailer were on the way...Our Great-grandson Matthew is born today around 1150.

3.09.08 We hauled out...Jim and Carl recaulked all the scuppers...it required 24 hrs of drying time so Carl spent the night in a motel. We stayed in the boat on the trailer...it makes a great camper and we used it as one last summer.

3.10.08 The best part of the trip was meeting our newest Great-grandson, Matthew Jacob. My daughter, Tammy, (now a grandmother) came to Palatka and picked me up. A beautiful baby...with a great disposition...my Granddaughter, Shaina is so proud...as she has every right to be....he is darling. His dad, Anthony, seemed to be pretty happy with his "new" family.

3.11.08 We spent the night at Hallows Cove. We are still new at tides...anchored in 3' of water...rowed as close to shore as we could and walked the rest of the way in...to give the dogs their daily run....Jim noticed the water had gone down a bit and we realized it wasnt low tide yet..as we had thought....we hustled back to the boat but by the time we got there it was already aground...we could spin it but not push it to deeper water.....at midnight it was calm so I put the anchor in the dingy and rowed it out to deeper water. We stayed up and waited for the shuttle to launch but too many clouds to see anything....a bit later the boat was floating. Because the anchor line was out so far we just pulled on the anchorline until there was enough water under the boat to put the motor down...then motored to 8' of water and went back to bed for a few hours....

We had a nice run today...we are anchored near Mill Cove...a few miles S of the entrance to Sister's Creek and the ICW. if we have the tide figured right we'll be up and running by 7am so we can have a ride on the outgoing tide instead of running against it.

Didnt take many pictures...too busy with the video camera....will do better from now on....