Georgia- A Good Place to Hook

Well, we did leave Charleston Harbor marina with a bit of flair.  Arturus and Kathrian both left that morning and it seems we did the best of all getting out.  The winds and current made it so tricky.  We motored to Ashapoo Creek and anchored on the side of the creek where there was a bank to get us out of the deep water.  It was nice to have a night without howling winds and rigging banging from nearby boats.

We motored onto the lovely town of Beaufort, SC.  We anchored in Factory Creek (do not know why it is called that, there are no factories) while Arturus and Kathrian anchored past the bridge and off of Downtown Beaufort Marina.  There was an interesting floating object anchored in the creek.  It looks like a work in progress!

What is it?

 We had to get our propane tank refilled and a few groceries so it was closer to go from Factory Creek.  The gentleman from Lady’s Island Marina allowed us to tie the dinghy there to get our supplies.  We walked about ½ mile walk to the hardware and grocery.  Then went by dinghy across the river to the Downtown Marina and had a shower for $1pp. 

Happy Hour on Kathrian

We met up with Blair and Dennis and had Happy Hour on Kathrian a Corbin 39 with a very interesting open layout inside.  Jack had redone the entire inside and it was very nice.  We said our goodbyes to both couples because they were heading to Hilton Head to visit friends.  We motored our dinghy back with a nice sunset lighting our way.

Motoring back from Beaufort across the river to
 Blue Heaven in Factory Creek

We went through the 9am opening of the bridge hoping to get to Bull Creek.  Al checked the engine and noticed oil leaking from a hose on the engine, so on to plan B.  We went into Port Royal Marina just south of Beaufort.  We were able to use their courtesy car to go to a hydraulic hose shop to get the hoses replaced.  The courtesy car was a pick-up truck.  

  Al was like a kid in a candy store, since he always wanted a pick-up truck, but I always nixed the idea.  So we spent several hours at the garage getting them replaced and then several hours while he put them back on.

Potluck dinner at Port Royal Marina

At the marina every Friday night they have a potluck dinner to which we were invited.  While mingling with the folks, we met a gentleman named Claiborne.  Now that is an unusual name, so I asked if he was Claiborne Young who writes all the cruising guides along the east coast that we use and he was!  He was going to be giving a presentation to a trawler group the next day at the marina.  You never know who you will run into.

The dock from land to the boat.

How would you like to take a cart down this!

 One comment I have to make to all our sailing association friends;  None of you should be complaining of the distance to your boat at the marina because you should see how far the folks in the south have to go and look at the angle of the ramps at low tide.  We have it easy!

The waterway of Georgia.

We entered Georgia and there is not a lot to say, except  marshes, marshes and more marshes!

Pretty contrast of the marsh grass against the green trees.

more marshes and an occasional tree or two.

We anchored in Herb Creek shortly after Thunderbolt, GA.  While passing the marina you can see just a few of the "little" yachts they have there!

A few of the "little" boats in Thunderbolt, GA.

We had a very pleasant  and quiet evening.  The next day was very much like the last. This made for an excellent rug hooking day because I would not be distracted by the scenery since it all looked the same.  I wonder how many boats have wool and wool cutters on board as well as wool fuzz balls on their floors! (For those interested, I entered an addition to the blog before this one, for my rug hooking friends to see the progress of my rug.)   

Wool and rug hooking supplies, Al asks, " Is this a cockpit of a boat?"

Sunrise on the Wahoo in the east.

We went through a section called Hell Gate today.  Luckily it was high tide and saw 10-11ft. The tide is 8 ft. here so you don’t want to go through at low tide with a 4 ½ ft. draft boat!   We spent another quiet night in the Wahoo River with a pretty sunset and a pretty sunrise the next day.  

Sunset on the Wahoo to the west.

Out of the Wahoo and another day of motoring and rug hooking because it was the same, more marshes!

We anchored just to the left of the Golden Isle Marina so that it will be a short day to get to Jekyll Island. Every morning Al has to spray a lot to get the mud off.  I must say the mud of Georgia seems to be good for placing "the hook" and a great place to do rug hooking, thus the name of the blog entry.