Back in North Carolina

Made it back home Boy what a shock its cold grey and crappy here, Everything seems dead except the pine trees and the waters cold and there is no boating in this weather. I have charged my camera and will down load the last photos i took before i left Stuart FL,

Day 31 and 32

Weather has made a major turn here its HOT, Last night all my cabin windows were open and around 9 this morning it was HOT , New spot in the marina is great close to everything did some boat repairs i think she's ready for the trip back home.Adjusted to living in a 5X8 area with a 4foot high ceiling and a bathroom the size of a small locker, Put the comforter under the sheets and made the bed nice and comfy. When i get home i will download photos and post some really great ones my camera took a turn for the worse and will not charge or do anything but i can get the pics when i get home and post, Sun sets,sail boats, Sunny days, Palm trees and life on the boat. Leaving tomorow headed back to North Carolina i can only hope the weather takes a turn there and i dont freeze to death as i sit here sweating with shorts on waiting on my clothes to wash. Untill then Rising tides and fair winds !

Day 29 and 30

We moved the boat again closer to the marina, This time we are only a short ride from he pier and dog walk also the store. Made life a bit easier for the dog and crew, Refilled with water today did a bilge flush and its life on the boat as we know it, Warm and sunny a little sunburnt and might freeze my tush off when i go home ! Meeting the locals there is no on from here they all came on vacation and never left !` Says volumes about the people and the life style here, Very slow and no problem type of life !

Day 27-28 Stuart Fl

One day of total rain wind and storms the next sunny and 71 welcome to Florida ! The wave action and not moving the boat has my vertigo and my ears going nuts but its nice to sit on the aft deck at sunset and have a cold beer. Making the prep for the trip home shortly the Captain and 1st mate will move from here to Vero beach then Fernadina and maybe Savannah if time allows. The rule is there are no rules !

Day 25 and 26

Moved to another marina brand new very nice, and after waiting for someone to leave we moved to a closer mooring, This makes the trips for dog and laundry and showers less of a task. The Captain is looking around to see if this is the meca he wants to sty in for a while if so, If not off to either Palm beach or back up to Vero beach.

Day 24 Stuart Fl

A little chill in the air today but the Sun it OUT , We will be moving to a new Marina today after me and the dock guy had a personal come to Jesus meeting on the phone they found a spot for us with no problem ?? We will hook up head into the downtown part of Stuart and see if its the Meca of Florida that everyone claims. If So we are here ! If not driving it like we stole it we will head a little further south in search of that Boaters Meca the prefect combo of docking, services, ease of use, and cost ! not much to ask for , Well so we think !!!

The look after almost a month on a Sail boat, weather worn and in bad need of a shave and hair cut !

In her spot and doing her job ! still no sure what her job is ??

Not much but we call it home !

Day 24 Stuart Fl,

Short miles but long on the body windy and rough today, didnt get our spot had to second chance at another Marina stuck us in a slip between two boats, Came in wind,tide and not so great dock guys ! but we did not bend or break anything ! stuck in here like spandex pants with just about everyline we have holding us from crashing into everything else, Tomorow we are moving over to another marina closer to town and the park along with things to do,Clear teal green water :)

Vero Beach sun rise

Sure sign we are headed the right way !

Sitting out side with non winter clothes on, it was very nice for a change!

Under Sail my cabin window is almost under water with 25mph winds

FOG really ?

Under sail cheating the Oil companies out of a few bucks !

Gives meaning to the statement Million Dollar view !

House boat ? Boat house, floating man cave ?

Sun is down moon is up great photo of an older Sail boat

Eating on the boat at anchor is always good !

Day 23 Vero Beach weather looks bad today !

Sitting tight one more day here the weather looks bad North of us not taking a chance trying to run from it. We will get up early and try again tomorow!

Day 22 Vero Beach R&R

Captain and 1st mate went into town for some recon see if we want to stay or go ! laundry day and resupply the boat again .

Day 22 Vero Beach Fla

71 miles motor sailed all day made great time hit the marina at 5:30, It was hot went in took a shower and sitting on the boat with all the windows open, trying to plan a day tomorow ! longest day yet and we were able to knock it out ! 8.7 mph a few times with the sail up :) makes for a shorter day ! i will be attaching some photos from the last few days of just a few of the things we have seen :)

Day 21 Titusville Fl

Day 21 ran hard today wind was kicking sail was up boat was great made good time here, Tomorow me and the first mate had shorted our distance to the next stop but we are going to try and run for it, 71 miles, Up early and paddle hard all day ! Captain said we can do what we can do !

Day 20 Daytona

Day 20 started with a UPS drop off of our part and rain so hard that nothing was moving. Captain looked out said Nope i don't think sailing in blowing rain coming down like buckets is going to do anyone any good. Good call we are holding up for Tues headed south by weds we hope to be in Vero Beach. warm weather and sun !

Day 19

Daytona Beach , 68 today not sunny but it'so much warmer than is has been walked down to West Marine with out a coat hat and gloves. What a change staying here waiting for the UPS man to bring our part sometime monday then we are off again headed South looking for Sun and warmer waters !

Day 18 we made it to sun shine and some slightly warmer weather

Daytona Beach today was long but trouble free and well worth the haul. Sitting on the boat with the hatches open not the heat running this afternoon was a change from freezing, We will hold here untill our GPS part gets here via, UPS monday then make a run for the next stop.

Day 18 Daytona Beach

Day 17

Day 17 started like any other ended as a rush to beat the bridge and the laws of the odds ! We cast off early headed for St Augustine FL, low water was keeping everyone on edge bumped the bottom a couple of times at that point deep water was on our side as was the rising tide. Then the GPS map ran out of the area it was loaded with, Flying blind we were using only the paper charts and line of sight navigation. Opps another problem the motor sputtered then later on QUIT, scramble drop anchor out of the channel and trouble shoot. Changed both filters still nothing, Bleed the fuel system for air and poofay it started, Bridge in sight , called its 1 min till opening called ahead tender was nice said come on, Wide open we were stroking as hard as we could toward the bridge he was nice enough to keep it open! Damn what a day the captain is beat i had vertigo all day and a Throbing head but we beat the odds and we are here ! 1st mate is just happy to be on land, So tomorow a run for daytona we hope that better luck will follow, UPS is bringing a new chip for the gps to meet us in Daytona so paper charts until then. Wish us luck and high tides ! i will post some photos later tonight when i can down load them.

Ferndina Beach Photos

Day 16 Ferndina Beach FL Weather delay

Well the weather once again had put us on hold it was 23 this morning 28 now and wind chill of 18 with wind at 10-12 not a good day for boating. Friday looks like a day for the escape from frozen hell 59 for a high and sun ! Today some work on the boat and see down town Ferndina Beach i havent been here in 25 years alot has changed.

Day 15 Fernadina Beach FL

We are in Florida the sun shine state and the wind chill today was 14, Are you frigging kidding me 14 wind was blowing 21mph Sounds we crossed were unreal water was shallow and top it off some of the markers look as if they were last serviced during the war between the states ! Another day down and one day closer to Key West !

Day 14 St Simons Island

We said let's do it and left Kilkenny Creek behind, Today was the longest day yet ! Cold and we did not see the sun one time today 14mph wind and wet. What a nasty day but we made it all the way to St Simons Island Georgia. Docked and are ready for hot showers and people other than Robert, Bob and Bobby from the last stop. Tomorow a shallow creek that is used the for ICW will delay our start by a few hours but it is a must in some of the shallow areas. Looking forward to some warmer weather !

Day 13 Kilkenny creek GA

Awoke this morning wind is blowing rain and gail warning in effect tough night to sleep the boat was listing hard in the wind and waves were slapping the stern hard all night. Unless the wind dies with sunrise there will be no movement today. We need to cross two sounds that are exposed to the ocean and 30mph winds make this no fun, However we do have 7 miles of visibiity.between the wind rocking the boat and the noise sounds worse than it really is. But there it totally nothing in Kilkenny Creek a dock and bait shop that sells beer, Thank goodness the 1st mate stocked the galley.

Cold Day 12

Made it another skip further cold and blowing hard all day we are stopped in a small fishing village off Kilkenny creek called Richmond Hill GA , We are the only boat on the dock other than two fishing boats, Tomorow we will run hard for 50 miles we home, Right now i am using someone elses wifi to up date this as the phone had no service that i can tell. keep us in your thoughts so we can find warm weather and water.

Day 11 Isle Of Hope Ga,

Loaded with supplies and fuel we are ready to make a run to the next stop 28 tonight so its good to be in port hooked up to power to run the Heat ! Trying to shoot through Georiga in 3 to 4 days weather will make or break our plans. Here is sunrise at Isle of Hope GA, this morning.

Day 10 Isle of Hope , GA

Isle Of Hope GA, Just out side Savannah GA, Cast off eary today and had tide and wind toward us all day slowing our pace but saving us trouble with the 9 FT tides they have here at high tide 15 ft is good low tide we cant even pass through it. Docked after lunch today time to wash and freshen up the sheets, Weather was chilly today but alot better than it had been, Sitting at dock now with the hatch and window open its a low 60's but the sun is feeling great. Headed into town later resupply and head back to the boat i think its going to be Shrinp and pasta tonight. The wifi here seems better i will try and post some photos. The captain said 2 days here for rest and then we expect a break in the weather before trying the rest of the state.148 miles by water way 80 miles by ocean left and right, left and right, you get to see the same tree and chunk of land 2 times once on each side.

day 9 Hilton Head with no wifi weather sucks

Day 8 Beaufort Sc

Short run today and everyone was glad weather was crappy at best, Rain high temp 47 and just damp to the bone for those few miles. At the one and only bridge we had to pass it was under restriction only opening every 2 hours, so we had set our time for 12:00 didn't happen we did laps untill the !1:00 opening time, Hit the dock right in the middle of town all set up . Me and the captain took the coutersy car into town to get some supplies i am pretty sure it would not make those noises if it were a safe car along with the strong smell of Diesel where someone had dumped it in the back , We were almost high by the time we returned it, Now we know why no one wants to drive it, For fear of life and smelling like you have been huffing diesel when you get where your going !Tomorow we are going to head out early if weather allows and run hard for Hilton Head if we are early we are going to pass it by and Steam hard for Thunberbolt GA. I am not making these names up . Well off to the showers and put my clothes from today in the dryer and then time for dinner and a cold beer.

Night at Dataw Island

Shore power oh yea baby, Hot showers with room to move on bring it on, And a bar at the end of the dock ! Shore power means HEAT , Cooked on the boat tonight ate well as always and we will be ready for a short run tomorow to Beaufort SC , depending on tides may go further may not ! Things change hour to hour on the trip due to the unkown , Tide,Water Depth, and weather ! oh and the Captains mood ! no one wants to walk the plank !

Day 7

Early start was delayed a bit by a bridge then we were full steam with the tide to our stern and light wind 10mph was the norm a few times today, Then came the coosaw creek cut it was very low water the creek was nothing more than a ditch cut through the mud with just enough water to float the boat. Slow and steady we were able to make our way to Dataw Island SC , Never heard of it really dont care but they have a nice dock ,showers and i have cold beer ! Thought at this point from the captain is short run tomorow and thurs before hitting Georiga. That state seems to have the least places to dock and fuel and the constant winding adds an extra 48 miles to the trip.

Day 6 Charleston Harbor

Day 6 the diver shows up wind is blowing like crazy the tide was ripping by the dock and he geared up dove in and came back up with good news Only oysters and crud on the prop a short while later we ran the engine smooth as silk panties and we are ready to cast off tomorow headed down south further looking for a place to anchor and spend the night. Plan A get in early so we can find a real beach for Stella. I will post some photos tonight when i have time for the slow net speed to get them one untill day 8 !

Day 5

Day 5 was going to be a good short day and give us plenty of time running wide open we were 1 min late for the bridge and the Captain had to do loops for one hour. The bridge opened and we were looking at a short run into Charleston but the weather had other ideas ! Wind was gusting 23 + it was blowing rain and then crossing the harbor Fog was setting in. Navigation was a 3 person job someone watching the charts and electronics,someone watching for bouys and markers and boats, Captain driving the boat trying to take in all the information and keep us out of harms way and off the rocks and in the right direction, Came in to the dock with 20 MPH winds and tides running strong but it was a flawless docking and we were happy to be here safe and hot showers and out for dinner !

Day 4

We were using the wind to push us along it was helping quite a bit but then a turn and wind and tide was head to and we were fighting to keep good speed. Found what looked like a good place to anchor went in just before dark and when the sun went down it went down and it was D A R K ! Stella still needed to make it to shore so we put the outboard and loaded Stella for her first Dingy ride in the dark almost headed down the water way looking for what we thought was a sandy beach. Ended up being a pile of oyster shells . Stella was a trooper did her business and we made it back with no one in the water except the captain duing the landing . Fog and wind all afternoon so i was happy once we were sitting at anchor and eating new years dinner.

Day 3 We made it to George Town

We had an early start and made it into George Town for docking no wireless so i could not update anything. New Years eve we made it to 9:45 and went back to the boat and the crew was beat including Stella Headed out not to early we are going to find somewhere to Anchor overnight.