Go to Florida they say...it will be warm they say!

Nov 4 - Beaufort, NC to Cape Fear, NC

We started off the morning with a great breakfast underway.  This was a long 52 nm trip, with miles and miles of miles and miles.  The intercoastal on this leg is fairly boring, but are some very nice houses and interesting boats.

Nov 5 - Cape Fear, NC

We stayed put and recharged our batteries as it was a gloomy rainy day.  I got mt daily dose of dolphins and we had a pelican come to visit.  They always seem to look down their nose at us.

Nov 6 - Cypress River Plantation, SC

We are finally in a stare with the South in its name.  After a 61 nm day, we spent the night in a quiet anchorage with one other boat.  Very much like the hidden anchorages of the North Channel.  We are seeing more spectacular houses.  We also passed through 3 swing bridges.  Brian and I had a relaxing night and morning.

Nov 7 - Georgetown, SC

After a 21 nm hop to  Georgetown SC, we anchored outside the Georgetown Dinghy dock.  We walked the town, had ice-cream, and lost our dinghy lock when the tide went up.  Once again there are wrecks and abandoned sailboats.

Nov 8/9/10 - Georgetown, SC

In this anchorage, there are several abandoned boats on moorings.  The one next to us is a real pain.  It has a full keel and when the current changes instead of swinging it would drive forward on the mooring ball.  We fended it off but ended up shortening our chain to keep away.  We also had an old wreck next to us that makes strange spooky sounds with the changing tides.  We walked to the Piggley Wiggly and picked up some provisions.  We were invited on board of S/V Equinox (Rich and Ruthie) our buddy boat for pre-drinks before heading to Big Tuna.  When the tide went down we retrieved our boat lock from the town docks.

Nov 11/12 - Georgetown, SC to Cumberland Island, GA

Left Georgetown, SC  with our buddy boat Equinox and headed offshore to Cumberland Island, GA.  We arrived after 32 hours of being offshore.  We sailed for about 2 hours and then the winds turned to light.  It was a clear night with a large moon, so visibility was great.  We had dolphins visit us several times during the day and once during the night.  We also hit something in about 67 feet of water that jarred the boat and suspected it to have been a whale or manatee.  We visited the island with our cruising buddies Rich and Ruthie.  We also saw wild horses and deer in the distance.

Nov 13 - Cumberland Island, GA

No shorts and t-shirts today.  We are getting wicked winds from the north.  Winds were from 18 to 30 knots throughout the day and night.

Nov 14 - Cumberland Island, GA to Fernandina Beach, FL

Late afternoon, the winds calmed down enough for us to sail to Fernandina Beach Florida (only 45 minutes away).  This anchorage was better protected from the winds.

Nov 15 - Fernandina Beach, FL to Saint-Augustine, FL

We made it to Saint-Augustine after weathering the high winds and waves at our Cumberland Island/Fernandina Beach anchorages.  We've also noticed that the water at high tide seems to flood some of the properties next to the ICW.  Mr. Trump, I think global warming is affecting your new home state.

Nov 16 - Saint Augustine, FL

Since we are at anchorage, we needed to pay for dinghy dockage.  For $12 a day, we get access to showers, laundry facilities, and Wifi.   I did laundry while Brian brought in our Jerry cans for diesel/gas.

We also visited a used boat parts store, bought a heavy offshore rod and reel at a pawnshop, and visited a liquor store.  We ended up the night a the White Lion bar with cruising friends enjoying $1.50 draft beers.  This is the upside of cruising life.

Nath gets crabs and cooks them!

Oct 19 - Annapolis MD to Solomon's Islands MD

We left at 7:30am and arrived at the anchorage at about 2pm.  Our friends from S/V Jade and Alexandra IIV were there.  Diane and Jacquelin from S/V Jade came over to say hello.

Oct 20 - Solomon's Island MD

High winds and overcast so stayed on the boat and did some additional work on the watermaker.  It was a bit cold and rainy so I made chicken noodle soup and we wore our slippers.

Oct 21 - Solomon's Island MD

Still, high winds so stayed another day.  We took the dinghy into shore and used our folding bikes to head into town for propane and groceries.  Brian managed a nap in the afternoon.  We also picked up some parts from the hardware store.  That evening we went to Hidden Harbor restaurant and had the best hot dogs ever.

Oct 22 - Solomon's Island MD

More high winds so stayed another day.  Brian headed to West Marine to pick up the last parts needed for the watermaker and head repairs.  He also installed a new starting battery for the generator.  We finished installing the watermaker and had our first glass of water from it.

Oct 23 - Solomon's Island MD to Mill Creek VA

We left the anchorage at 7:30am and had a wonderful sail with an average of 7-7.5 knots the whole way.  Great to sail finally.  We anchored at about 3pm and enjoyed a peaceful evening and an early night.

Oct 24 - Mill Creek VA to Hampton VA

Another great sail.  I raised the anchor at 8am and we were able to sail until 1pm.  At that point, the wind turned around and died.  We motor sailed for 2 hours and then dropped the sails when the wind turned directly on our nose.  As we entered the Hampton Harbor we were passed by a military vessel.    Elayna and I had our Facetime date and did facial masks while playing a game of riddles.

Oct 25 - Hampton VA

Dinghied into town and got rid of the trash.  I did laundry and Brian looked at what oil and parts are needed for our Generator and motor.  Brian also tried crabbing with no success.

Oct 26 - Hampton VA

Took the dinghy into town to pick up oil for the motors.  We ended up travelling a long way on the Hampton River and tied up near Hampton University.  It was a long walk into town to get the needed supplies.  They had no oil filters so we just bought oil.  I was more successful with the Crab pots and captured 2 crabs.

Oct 27 - Hampton VA

We went to a marina to fill our Jerry cans and met a couple of guys (John and Ken) that were sailing a Hans Christian (named Animist).  We were only able to fill one Jerry can because their tank was empty. Therefore, took a long dinghy ride on the Hampton River to fill the other can.  John and Ken joined us that evening for dinner on Timmies-run.

Oct 28 - Hampton VA to Buck Island NC

We finally headed to the ICW using the Abermarle and Chesapeake Canal.  Brian and I decided not to go through the dismal swamp because of the negative reports we heard.  We went through a small lock and through (under) several bridges.  We even past by several different types of vessels.  We now know that our boat will fit under any 65 ft bridge. We ended up picking up more fuel at Coinjock and anchored by Buck Island.  Lots of midges here and needed to vacuum them up.  We are now in North Carolina.

Oct 29 - Buck Island NC to Aligator River NC

A fairly uneventful day.  We were able to sail for part of the crossings which was nice.  After crossing the Albermarle Sound we anchored in the Alligator River.


Oct 30 - Alligator River NC to Bay River NC

We motored through the Alligator River - Pungo River Canal.  We saw our first palm trees and Canada Geese in the canal.  We were following our friends (John/Ken) from S/V Anamist which was funny since they didn't realize it was us.  WE managed to sail through the Pungo River and then across the Pamlico River.  We stopped at RE, Mayo Co. for fuel and picked up 2 lbs of huge shrimps for $10.  We anchored in Bonner Bay.

Oct 31 - Bay River NC to Beaufort NC

We left the Bay River with a nice sunrise.  Throughout the day, we saw a lot of boats recks from previous storms/hurricanes.  Once arrived at our anchorage in Beaufort, we were greeted by dolphins on the way in the anchorage.  We had one dinghy come by on Halloween night for treats.  I treated Brian and made shrimps and crab for dinner.

Nov 1 - Beaufort NC

Brian and I went beer tasting at the local microbrewery.  We met a young couple who were visiting Beaufort for a Frizbie Football tournament.  They invited us to watch the match the following day.  We then enjoyed a prime rib dinner out......it was delicious!

Nov 2 - Beaufort NC

After doing some chores in the am, Brian and I took our bikes to the Freedom Park to watch the Frizbie Football tournament.  These kids know how to have fun.  I joined in on their beer flip game...that was fun!

Nov 3 - Beaufort NC to Milehammock Bay NC

A boat in our anchorage ended up grounding overnight while at anchor.  It was a bit colder so we ended up wearing our tuques and gloves.  Along the ICW there are several areas with shoaling caused by inlets from the ocean.  This causes silt to build up and cause hazards to navigation.  Because of this shifting sand, the buoys may not be in the correct position to indicate deep water.  We had just passed two boats (trawler/powerboat) who had grounded when we softly grounded ourselves.  We even saw a shrimp vessel grounding as we motored.  Brian was able to easily get us out of it.  That night, a local couple came by to drop off treats to the people anchored.  How nice!