Charleston to Isle of Hope GA

The sound of a boat hitting a lot of oyster shells is horrible.  It doesn't sound like finger nails on a chalk board but just as bad.  Backing up, wind, current and that's what I did.  I looked at it when we stopped at the gas dock to fill up before we left and found that the sound was a lot worse than the damage, which was almost none.  This is the first time Bill and I are solo on the ICW.  First stop was Bohicket.  The docking was challenging as it has the worst current on any creek on the ICW.  And it was just after five o'clock so all of the dockhands had gone home.  Another liveaboard did see us coming and helped us in.  There was a nasty front coming through so we ended up staying a little longer than we had planned.  Bohicket is a nice place.  We walked to Freshfields Village for lunch and we needed to really stretch our legs.  The walk was nice but only in the south would you walk on a nice paved path with large fireant mounds on one side and a swamp with gators on the other.  Bill said he has never seen me walk so fast.  On December 9th we were back on the ICW to Dataw Island and Dataw Island Marina.  Next day we left for Beaufort.  It wasn't far and nice to look around.  Of course Bill call the Lady Island Bridge to open and just when it does Patti is looking at the dolphins next to the boat,  then THUD.  Patti runs the boat aground.  Bill took the helm and was able to get us off after a while.  Since I ran it agound I was the one to call the bridge and say they could close it because we were aground.  I can just imagine the snickering and the "women driver" jokes.  Finally we were through the bridge and at the Downtown Marina.  Docked in a nice spot however I had no clue how we were going to leave.  I would need to try to get her to back up a ways.  At least it was wide.  Beaufort is also a nice place to walk around and of course they had a sportsbar on the water.  Luthers is great as is Panini's.  A few days later we were off to Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head Island.  We did need to take a taxi everywhere but if you have a bike the Island has very nice and wide bike paths.  Whether by boat or car I do recommend Hilton Head Island.  There are a few little towns to walk through.  Coligney Beach is beautiful and spotless.  All sorts of little places to eat, my favorite thing to do.

  After chatting with my sister to wish her a Happy Birthday we were off.  We left at 8:30 and arrived in Isle of Hope, Georgia by 2:30.

Enigma is the sailboat with the blue gelcoat

Since we plan to stay through January they put us on C-Dock but close enough to the facedock so we would not have to move her to pump her out.  As I mentioned before Enigma does not back up well.  This marina has a captain to move it for us.  After three attempts he ended up pulling forward.  OK, now when we leave we only ask that he puts here back on the face dock.

Two Weeks in Charleston S.C.

We planned on one week but stayed for two weeks in Charleston S.C.  It is such a pretty place I really would not mind staying here permanently.  But I really need it to be warmer.  We arrived at City Marina (which does not belong to the city) on November 19th.  We are staying to get things done like a mail delivery, hook to the Internet to pay some bills and find a decent place for our Thanksgiving dinner.  And of course we need to do some touristy things.  I am still working on my "y'all" so I won't always be a damn yankee.  The next day we took the courtesy van to King Street which is the major street in downtown.  It's Sunday so I needed to get my NFL fix.  I am a Jacksonville Jaguar fan and Bill likes any team that is playing the New England Patriots.  Moe's Grill was the spot and we took a pedi-cab back to the marina.  The next day we went to the Fort Sumter museum.  The following day we took a ferry ride to Fort Sumter.

  Stopped in Salty Mikes at the end of the Megadock.  Famous for their Pickle Shots.  Pickle juice and vodka.  Thanksgiving morning I watched some of the Macy's Day Parade and some football (this will be a recurring theme for a while).  Downtown we had our dinner at Ansons Restaurant.  Living on the boat our dress up was sundress and flip flops for me and dockers and sneakers for Bill.  We did do a real touristy thing.  That was the carriage ride though downtown.


 We had mules instead of horses but that was ok.  If you are ever in Charleston I would highly recommend it.  On Sunday, December 4, 2011 we cast off the lines to go further south.

Here we go...

Only 34 degrees in CT on 11/3/11. We cast off the lines to our great adventure at 8:00. Got gas and pumped out (usual cruising stuff).  Darn it is cold in November in New England.  Next day we went through NYC and saw the Statue of Liberty. Next was Sandy Hook then Barneget Bay. Off the Cape May and Utches Marina.  Nice place and very nice and friendly people.  Too bad Ocean City was closed.  On 11/8/11 we went by Chincategue and did spot some ponies.  Next was finally Tidewater Marina.  I took a nice long shower.  Then some power went our so no laundry was done.  This is where we met the gentleman on a catamaran called "Sunflower".  After a few bridges we were in Coinjock, NC.  Nice place and great food.  Next was though the Alligator River, then to the Albermarle Sound.  Here we lost 2 fenders and our jib ripped.  Such as sailing.  Next stop was Oriental Marina for two days.  Here we replaced our fenders.  Now it is 11/14.  The Captain noticed a problem with the oil pressure so we stopped in Beufort.  After oil change we were on to through Cape Fear to Mrytle Beach.  Going through we did see a twister behind us in S. C. on the ICW around Holden Beach area.  Next stop was Georgetown and then Charlseton.  This is were we parted with Captain George.

Getting Ready to go

OK we are selling the cars and stuff  in the house.  Donating and soooo much.  Consignment shops too.  And the stuff really can not part with is going into storage.  The house is for sale/rent.  It was rented in two days.  Every thing is going fine and then.....a huge storm....huricane Irene.  Then close by wa a freak snow storm...Really?  This delayed us a bit but we will move on..Captain George arived on 11/22/11 and we are off tomorrow for the adventure of our lives.

In the Beginning...

We purchased Enigma in January 2011 in the very deep snow.  We then had survey number 1 done.  Months later we had #2 done.  Time to take her home  from Newburyport on the Merricmack River 
 to New London. CT.  First step was we brought our neighbor Pete and went off south.  First stop was Salem Mass.  Walked around and stayed a bit, then off to Scituate, thru the Cape Cod Canal (yes there is a Canal) Mettapoisette, to Connacticut (sp is rite) then to New London. (home Port>