Georgia's On My Mind!

SHIP'S LOG:

Sorry about missing yesterday but it was Thanksgiving and I did a "little too much" thanking and was in no mood or shape to blog.

Thursday - Nvember 25th
I left the BYSC in Beaufort about 9:05 am. I had been moored to an inside position on their docks and there was a heck of a current coming up the Beaufort River. If you every wondered why they call the padding on docks bumpers, well I can tell you. Despite a well thought out and planned departure, I hit two of them on the way away from the dock. No damage to the dock or ABISHAG, just a serious loss of "Harbor Face." And wouldn't you know it, on Thanksgiving morning, a time you would think such a place would be deserted, a lovely lady decided to come come and sit on the dock and do emails on her Blackberry or some similar device. She promised that she didn't see a thing. Thanks goodness for "Southern Hospitality and tact!"

I had to pass by Parris, as in the Island and not the City in France. It is a boot camp for the making of new US Marines. There was not a soul to be seen nor any yelling to be heard. I doubt they had the day off, rather they were out of screaming range. Strange, it doesn't look like "hell on earth" but then looks can be deceiving . . . ask any former Marine who trained there.

Crossed Port Royal Sound. It was a short sail, about 3 miles or so but it was made spectacular by the dolphins riding the bow wave. I have never experienced that before. I'm cruising along when I get intercepted by a couple of dolphins who just rode the bow wave. Hows they could get so close and not hit the boat or get hit by it is amazing. Several times, when I have been anchor, I could hear one surface, take a breath and disappear. The first few times, I didn't know what it was, but I learned. They show up in odd places and times. You just never know when or where. I could watch them all day.

I headed down Calibogue Sound that passes by Hilton Head. Some incredible dwelling on the water's edge but nothiong I am sure to those inland by the golf courses. Calibogue gave me a whole knot+ of speed and I got to Broad Creek and headed up it to anchor right off Hilton Head. Unfortunately, when I got to the spot recommended by Skipper Bob, moorings had been set by the locals and there just wasn't space to anchor. Thank goodness for that extra knot of speed, because I had to go three miles down Broad Creek, cross Calibogue Sound and head down Defuskey Creek to get to my next spot, five miles away in New River. I got there about 4pm and dropped the hook and had Thanksgiving Dinner, sort of. I have a lot to be thankful for on this trip including the trip itself, so it was a good day.

November 26th Friday

Last night, and again when I got up this morning, the NOAA Weather said, high winds, gusting to 30 and heavy rain (70% chance). Of course, I awoke to blue, cloudless skies and not a breath of wind. But something made me trust this forecast. BY 10:30, the winds were howling and by 1:30pm, the rain showed up. Basically, NOAA got this one right on the money. IT was a good move to stay put. Now the winds have died and the rain too, except for an occasional misting. The next few days are supposed to be clear but cooler. Hey, I'm five miles from Georgia and the ICW through Georgia is 138 miles. In about a week, if all goes well, I am in "The Sunshine State!"