Cruising the ICW

  We departed Hilton Head in the first fog we have seen on this coast. It was forecast to burn off early so we were fairly comfortable departing, and the first hour would be on a channel we had come in on, so known waters. We crossed into Georgia at the Savannah River and continued south.  We have stopped in Savannah previously and didn’t really feel driven to make another visit. Other than the Savannah River, there is only one significant river entrance to cross on this leg and that is relatively inland so went well.  Georgia is where the voyage really gets into winding channels.  At some points there is a nearly 300 degree compass swing in just a few miles.  South of Savannah the scenery very quickly turns to sea grass and marsh.  There is very little to see or stop at on the Georgia coast.  Our intermediate stop destination of choice is a little back country marina called Kilkenny, which is about a 7 hour run from Hilton Head.  At sunset we saw...

We departed Myrtle Beach Monday morning headed for Georgetown SC. We had intended to stay one night, but realized we would need two.   Another mechanical issue had developed in the past day, a failed alternator on one of the engines.  I had contacted a mechanic there who we had used in the past and he would be available Tuesday morning for the install.  Fortunately, there is a spare on board.  I think I have mentioned before that this boat came with an extensive spare parts inventory.   The 50 mile run to Georgetown was very pleasant, with blue skies, light winds, and warm temps.  Myrtle Beach is quite large, so it took a couple of hours to clear the residential area. The landscape transitions from a straight cut to winding river and the foliage slowly transitions into cypress swamp.  Not the most interesting scenery but very remote and quiet. Hence, no pics. But the dolphins have returned in numbers.  We are getting engagements a number...

We are finally making good progress south after a week occupied with the engine service.  The work took a day longer than expected as we had them address a fuel pump issue as well that required a part order.  Since we arrived on Friday ahead of the wind storm, and didn't get away until Thursday, it made for a slow 6 days.   I occupied myself with some minor maintenance chores, and  the weather turned very nice on Monday, but we continued to think about what great travelling days we were missing.   Fortunately our friends Mike & Marilyn, who live nearby, returned Tuesday from an excursion, and we were able to have dinner with them that night and lunch Wednesday.  And a much appreciated provisioning run. The location for the service on the main ICW channel yielded some interesting vessel viewing.  On two consecutive days the river cruise vessels Independence and American Star cruised by heading south. These small cruise ships do the ICW fro...

After departing Norfolk, our stay at Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) was only one night as the part I had ordered for delivery there had arrived on the previous Friday.  We used our morning there to install the part, retrieve some clothing we had left at the local dry cleaners the previous month, visit the grocery store and buy a few items at the marine store.  We had fueled the previous afternoon, for the first time in a month, so were ready to depart before noon.  Our plan had been to take the Great Dismal Swamp canal to Elizabeth City rather than the Currituck Sound route to Albemarle Sound, but taking that route would add a day as it is very slow.  The swamp canal is narrow, and only a 6' depth so travel is restricted to idle speed.  The canal was dug in the early 1800's by hand, by slaves.  The weather forecast was telling us we had two good days though to make time so given our experience so far on this trip, we decided to pass on the canal.   Th...

Our stay at Solomons Island was indeed at least 3 days, in fact 4 days, due to wind.  Solomons Island is a thriving small boat harbor a few miles up the Patuxent river. A very nice marina to be at though, with lots of social activity.   And although this picture belies it, we did have sustained strong winds most of the time we were there.   Of note, Judy picked up a copy of James Michener's epic novel, Chesapeake, in Oxford and we have been reading it from there.  It has really helped bring to life the history of the Bay.  The marina is host to the  longest-running ocean crossing rally in North America, the 'Caribbean 1500', which is considered a must-do for many cruisers. The fleet sails from the Chesapeake Bay to Nanny Cay on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The rally website indicates that the most difficult part is timing the weather window before departure. Fall on the East Coast is squeezed between late summer hurricane season and early wint...