12/26/17  Brunswick Landing - boats as far as the eye can see.

 

 

The Christmas girl!

 

 

Christmas present play time.

 

Doggie menu for Christmas

 

 

 

Watching for those diving pelicans.

 



12/21/17  We blew into Brunswick Landing Marina in Georgia yesterday.  It was very windy crossing St. Simon's Sound, but the sun was shining and it was warm.  The previous Friday we went aground in Buttermilk River and this time had to wait for the tide to drift free.  In the meantime I had called TowBoat.  Good thing because we had no more than drifted free from the shoal when the engine quit.  It was getting no fuel.  Bill changed filters, tried to bleed them, did everything he could think of, but no go.  Anyway, TowBoat towed us into Two Way Fish Camp on the Altamaha River.  We have been there before when we lost our transmission on Snow Goose.  Of course, it was Friday night so no mechanic could be found until Monday morning.  After eliminating various possibilities and talking with Beta engine support, Tuesday it was discovered that the problem was in the stop button, a $23 little piece of equipment that is used to stop the engine!  It has been bypassed and a new one will be ordered.  We will stay here in Brunswick for Christmas.  There is a party here at the marina.  This is a good place for April to be free for awhile and we can get all our supplies and boat work done. 

Saturday, 12/9/17  We have been in Beaufort SC for 3 days riding out the rain and very cold weather.  We hope for sun tomorrow but it will still be cold - high of 50 degrees.  So we will make a short run to Hilton Head. Beaufort has been fun despite the weather.  We rented a car and saw the sights.  April's walks afford us the opportunity to meet the people.  We have befriended other cruisers all of us waiting out the weather. 

We continued to be frustrated with the wifi connections at marinas.  This marina was in the process of repair when we pulled in and I am continually getting errors as I write.  I hope to be able to post a couple of pictures.

12/6/17  We are in Beaufort today.  We left an isolated fish pier (they had FRESH shrimp) early this AM for Hilton Head.  However, they marina there had no room for us and it was noon before we cleared the Beaufort swing bridge, so we decided to stay.  The rain came in about 2 pm so the decision that was made for us turned out was just fine.  We had lunch out in Beaufort (more delicious lump crab for me) after walking around the very pretty downtown district.  April was the hit of the restaurant and we were given very special attention.  Our new prop is wonderful, giving the boat more power and speed.  The electrical system problems finally have been resolved.  It was one of those things that until it breaks you can't fix it.  Anyway, the broken wire and blown fuse on our way out of Isles of Palm and the fix we got at a nearby facility has resolved those nagging electrical problems.  We spent a couple of days in Charleston.  Love it there!  Now once the weather clears, on to Georgia!

 

New prop time!

 

Shrimp boat is coming!!!

 



Charleston looking a lot like Christmas.

 



12/1/17  Yikes! December is here.  But so is warmer weather for us.  Because we are not in a hurry and the weather has been nice, we are taking our time and enjoying the stops, the people we meet and the sights we see.  The water, however, has been skinny.  The bad weather has blown in the silt and we have plowed through the muck more than once.  Today along the waterway to Isles of Palm was a constant depth sounder alarm.   Tomorrow we leave Isles of Palm for Charleston and beyond.  We have two swing bridges and the Elliott Cut where we have to watch the tide, so it is a day we hope we have calculated correctly.  Our destination is beyond Charleston to St. Johns Yacht Club where we will stay a couple of days to resupply with food, propane, laundry, etc.  Just a couple of days off the boat and a place where April can stretch her legs off the leash.

11/28/17  We have been awhile without WiFi and thus no blog.  I have posted some on FB.  When we left They pulled us at Hewitt Marine, discovered that yes our 30 year old original prop did need replacement.  We ordered a new Max prop and it was delivered to Hewitt the Wednesday eve before Thanksgiving.  On Friday after the holiday the mechanic at Hewitt informed us he did not want to install the prop.  Okay.  We called Anchor Marine down the road 20 miles and they arranged to haul us and install the prop the next day, Saturday.  And that they did and it was successful.  However, on our way to Anchor Marine we lost all our navigation.  No chart plotter, no depth sounder, etc.  It was the weekend.  We forged on to Barefoot Marine very carefully.  We were successful with lots of help to find an electronics guy to service us on Monday AM.  Barefoot was so much fun and everyone was so friendly and helpful.  Anyway, Tuesday AM we are off and running another 20 miles to Osprey Marina in Myrtle Beach.  The prop was running beautifully, the electronics were all working and the sun was shining.  Our short run was pleasant and confirmed all was well.  So tomorrow we are off to Georgetown SC.  We have learned that the East Coast of Florida received Irma's rath and we are moving slow to hope repairs are made.  We made need to go across sooner than expected.  April just went into cruise mood and has been so good. 

We had a very nice walk to downtown Southport and lunch at Fishy Fishy restaurant.  What a great time!  Dogs everywhere, all having a good time.  April spotted a King Charles and thought for sure it was Coco.  The place is lousy with squirrels, all of whom now know April. 

 

11/17/17  Thursday.  Turkey Day is one week away.  Yesterday it was COLD all morning but at least sunny.  We dealt with two swing bridges.  In Wrightsville Beach we had to wait an hour for the bridge to open.  Bet the boat being towed wished it had a sail.  We are staying in Southport today to provision and do laundry.  We will get a taxi as we need a good supplying.  Crossed fingers that it warms up.

Lily was April's birth owner.  She taught April how to be the crazy and love playing.  Also obedience.  I was thinking about that today. April and I have to take her toy out on the dock or nearby grass area and play crazy, with her leaping and throwing her toy and just being a nutting girl.  It gets those long legs moving and the need to play out of her.  Then we do an obedience routine.  She loves the whole time and I can't get away with not doing it -- not that I would.  I know I have said this before, but Lily you raised a wonderful dog.  Thank you.  Hope all is well with you.

11/7/17
Today we are about getting ready to head out tomorrow AM for Beaufort.  The weather is changing and the beautiful sunshine is about to leave for awhile, so time to head south.  Inland Waterway was just great finding us a dinghy and outboard and delivering it.  This is shrimping area and are they good!  And then looking across to Beaufort NC from Oriental.  Tomorrow's destination.

Sunday, 11/5/17 
Oriental is as beautiful and friendly as ever.  Wishbone is in a slip in front of the main office and that is where April has her meet and greet every morning.  We are doing some boat chores, supplying and enjoying our stay.  Found the best soft shelled crabs ever and have feasted twice on them.  The car goes back on Monday so today we are finishing up any running around for heavy supplies: water; dog food; fuel.  We were successful in finding a new dinghy and outboard to replace the runaways.  As always, we have met some very nice and interesting cruisers from all over the world and all walks of life.