On the move!

Early morn in St. Augustine

 We left St. Augustine at an early hour and you can see how calm it was. It made for interesting reflections on the water of the boats and the lights from the Bridge of Lions.


Looking to the east from our boat we got the beautiful sunrise with the interesting definite edge of the darker clouds reflecting in the water as well.

Sunrise at St. Augustine

Flowers beautifying Fernandina streets.

We motored to Fernandina Beach where we decided to stay two nights on a mooring ball.  We always enjoy this town looking at the shops and just going for walks to see such sights as these pretty flowers along the sidewalk at one corner and the cute church across the street.  We were a bit disappointed in finding our favorite Pizza Restaurant not open on Tuesday so we went to the fish market and got some shrimp to cook on board.  It's healthier any way!


We hopped over to Cumberland Island the next day to wait for better wind conditions to head out in the ocean.  We enjoyed our usual hike on this beautiful island.  I got a great shot of the wild horses and the ruins of Dungeoness all in one.

They don't look very wild here.

 We left Cumberland the next morning to head out the inlet to come in at Charleston.  We were hoping the weather guru was correct, that the ENE winds would clock around and become SE.  Well they did, just after motor sailing for 24 hours as we entered  Charleston Inlet! The one good thing of our trip in the ocean were once again the dolphins that came around sunset to give us a show.  I finally got a super shot of one leaping out of the water!

What a sight!

As we headed in the inlet the race boats were heading out for it was Charleston Race Week.

One of the many racing boats heading out from Charleston Harbor.

Al in socks, shoe, fleece and long pants for the first time since the fall.

 We decided that we did not want to deal with all that activity and so headed up the ICW to anchor in a creek.  Well, we passed three creeks that we thought we might stop at.  The current and winds were so favorable for moving up the ICW that we just kept going for another 6 hours.  We finally anchored in the great spot of Minum Creek which was perfect for the front predicted to come through.  And it did come through with lots of rain cleaning our salt encrusted boat for which we were thankful.  But with that front came the plunging temperatures.  We went from shorts and sleeveless to long pants and fleece and this was in South Carolina! 

We headed into Georgetown, SC to get out of the 30 knot winds.  Luckily the winds changed to the north which made the harbor a perfect spot to be.  We stayed two days and enjoyed a great meal at a new place in town called the Krazy Fish on the main street.  It is a casual kind of eclectic place with a very interesting menu.  My lightly pan fried catfish with a light lemon cilantro glaze over rice was fantastic with an interesting salad and veggies.  Al had a shrimp sausage combination which was also delicious.  The owner and waiter could not have been more accommodating.  The price was reasonable and we both took doggie bags with us. We will be back on the next trip!

We left in 30 knot winds but once through Winyah Bay it was not bad in the Wacamaw River we we pulled in to Osprey Marina for two nights.  It had been down into the low forties at night, so being able to plug in was a real treat.  It was the first time to stay at a marina since last November! It is in the middle of nowhere but  an Italian restaurant called Scatori's will pick you up and bring you back so we decided to try it for a late lunch.  There is a great grocery store next door which you can shop before you are driven back.  The restaurant also had fantastic food.  I have never seen Al eat so much bread using it to eat every last bit of the spaghetti sauce!  Needless to say, I did not have to make dinner that night.  Yeah!

Well protected and clean marina!

Also besides being well protected and a very clean marina,  I should mention Osprey has some of the lowest fuel prices on the ICW.  It is a gem in the middle of nowhere!


We are now passing Myrtle Beach and will be in Wrightsville Beach, NC. in a day or two hoping the weather warms up again!