Charleston SC to Wrightsville Beach, NC April 20-26, 2015

April 20-26, 2015

It's later April, and we're back to the SaSea Sally docked in Charleston, SC. Having arrived at the Charleston airport simultaneously with friends (and newlyweds) Shap and Sue Shapleigh, we accepted their gracious offer to deliver us to St. John's Yacht Harbor late afternoon while at the same time sharing updates on each others' lives. Thanks, Shap and Sue...and congratulations!

Unlocking the boat upon arrival, we were surprised by electrician Jeff and the clutter surrounding his work-in-progress. Installing a new battery monitor, Jeff had brought along a myriad of tool boxes and tool bags which now encircled the perimeter of the open engine room along with the upended hatch  door to said engine room. Further littering the enclosed salon area of SaSea Sally were the dismembered door panels of various cabinets which had been disconnected and laid upon the breakfast counter and dining table. Oh my! We've been gone three-plus weeks; what's with his timing?

Intent on unloading, unpacking, organizing and prepping for our upcoming provisioning run in the next couple of hours, we were brought to an abrupt halt. We could literally do nothing but stand in the entryway and gawk. Plan B. What was Plan B? Unfortunately, there was no Plan B. Clay and I both continued to gawk. Further confusing our return plans, the marina had failed to note our courtesy car reservation for early evening and had promised the car to an arriving boater at 8 p.m. Hurry-up demands put me in stress mode as we tried to eat a quick dinner and provision at least the necessary breakfast items. And, 'quick dinner' was not in the vocabulary of nearby (car distance, not walk distance) restaurant Fat Hen; the hostess knew she seated us, but unfortunately no one else (waiter nor waitress) knew we were there. C'est la vie. We did eat, and we did purchase breakfast fruit and milk at Food Lion en route back to the boat.

Tuesday brought a jam-packed day of activity which left me particularly pooped. Laundry, boat cleaning, a necessary early morning shower to remove hair 'goo' which made my scalp a smorgasbord for hungry no-see-ums which are in plentiful supply here, a courtesy car run for provisioning (there was nothing we didn't need after our almost-month absence), stowing provisions which takes longer than you think, then prep for dinner followed by clean-up and bedtime! Clay had been pleased with our 44-hour turnaround time in Jacksonville following our return after Christmas; he wasn't as well pleased when I requested another day in port, aborting our Wednesday departure in favor of Thursday. But, truth be known, Thursday departure worked well for both of us--it just gave us ten days to reach Norfolk, not eleven. (So far, so good!)

Wednesday played out well with opportunity to sleep in a bit, followed by tasks not completed on Tuesday. First on tap was defrosting the galley freezer which had collected a thick layer of frost in our absence. I spent much of the remaining morning hours collecting addresses for John and Kristen's upcoming wedding. Clay was equally productive, spending time studying the manuals of various newly-installed electronics then cleaning the outdoor gas grill. I managed to sneak to the pool for a half-hour of lounging with no intention of swimming (a good thing because the pool water was far too chilly for this gal!)

Our extra day layover coupled with the tide schedule mandated an early revelie Thursday morning. A long eight hours later, we arrived at Harborwalk Marina in Georgetown, SC. We remembered the fresh fish market within a few blocks of the marina, so Clay and I stretched our legs by walking over for the recommended fresh trigger fish which we purchased after watching the clerk filet the fish on the spot. We knew it was fresh! We snagged a dinner reservation at Alfresco Bistro where we'd dined with our July, 2014 guests Audrey and Johnny Roberts, securing a time which allowed for a shower and glass of wine before the short trek to the restaurant.

My slam-dunk decision to order my previously-selected entree wasn't so slam dunk when I found the Alfresco Bistro chef is quite fond of regularly changing his menu. That being said, Clay and I both decided on non-pasta entrees which was certainly not our original intent. We found the service to be slow; prices, high; noise, too many decibels for the small courtyard enclosure. Ambiance was relaxing and food was tasty, but meals were pricey for the portion. Clay disappeared mid-meal and was slow to return, giving me ample time to text sister Sus and to giggle over our text exchange (the consumed wine might have helped here!) 

A long day faced us again on Friday as we departed Harborwalk, headed for...well, headed for as far as we could get. Still trying to make time, we set our sights past Osprey and on Myrtle Beach or beyond, knowing we had to travel thru the area known as the Rock Pile. We are putting in as many as 60+ miles per day to make Norfolk by May 2nd and in time for the May 4-7 AGLCA Rendezvous.

Clay announced a securité as we entered the Rock Pile at MM 353, calling for southbound boats to confirm their presence. Hearing no reply, we forged ahead and traveled safely the four miles through this treacherous stretch of the ICW. Later afternoon we turned port into a warm-and-welcoming harbor in Little River, SC and secured a slip at the Lightkeepers Marina for the overnight.

Saturday dawned with our focus again on 'making tracks' toward Norfolk. We traveled much of this day in a spritzing rain, but we managed to dodge the bigger storms in the forecast. Wrightsville Beach, NC offered numerous marinas from which to choose, so I spent considerable time on Active Captain (a terrific resource for boaters/Loopers) reading reviews of various choices. We selected Dockside, a lesser-priced marina with minimal amenities, and arrived to a crowded deck/dock/bar/restaurant of Saturday-afternoon partiers. Many had arrived by boat, making a crowded harbor area which was further populated by a number of fishing boats seemingly based here. 

Our plans to dine at Dockside were aborted when the rain increased in intensity, forcing deck diners inside and giving us a wait time of far more minutes than we were willing to spend waiting. Note to self: I must plan quickie meals for nights such as these where dining out unexpectedly becomes dining in.

As we depart Dockside this Sunday morning in time to make the 9 a.m. Wrightsville Beach bridge opening, I bid you farewell and hope your last week's weather was better than ours! Boating in rain and/or cool/cold temps is no fun! Here's to a quick warm-up...soon!

Wrightsville Beach NC to Swansboro, NC April 26 - 27, 2015

April 26 - 27, 2015

The adventure continues. We departed Dockside Marina, Wrightsville Beach, NC with the help of the the bathroom-cleaning crew of two cute guys (they made pretty darn good dockhands!) who reassured us we'd made the nearby Wrightsville Beach bridge in plenty of time for the on-the-hour opening at 9 a.m. We found ourselves traveling tandem with Vickie and Mark (Blue Willow) and Connie and Jim (Patriot, an appropriately-named blue, red, and white Nordic Tug). Clay, tiring of conversation with me, struck up frequent radio contact with the Michigan captains of these two vessels. It can be quite comforting cruising with accompanying boats to share information of various hazards such as shoaling, current, tides and such, all of which are prevalent along this stretch of waterway.

We have twice traveled this path, so Clay shared his knowledge which was considerable. Good job, Captain! And, being the lead boat on this day, we were first to experience the known and the unknown which was a huge advantage for our newfound traveling companions. Our friend Tom Goodman's home port of Swansboro, NC was our next stop; and Tom had shared with Clay information on the new city docks which had yet to establish water and electric nor the means to collect dock fees. Thus, free on Sunday as confirmed by the Swansboro Mayor, became very appealing to all of us.

Having no dockhands to assist our docking in Swansboro, we were on our own. I will readily admit here that we need practice at solo docking, especially with a swift current and brisk winds present. It was rough, but we got it done.  Blue Willow and Patriot arrived without incident and were soon to disembark to explore the attractive downtown adjacent to the city docks. 

Friend Tom, a seasoned boater and port captain of Swansboro, arrived to welcome our group and to share his vast knowledge of the area. Of particular interest was the topic of free docks in the Chesapeake. Where was Tom when we needed him first time through? Tom spent considerable time with our companions then regrouped with us for dinner at the Swansboro Yacht Club. The name belies the atmosphere and bill of fare of this dining establishment, but we received a warm welcome from our waitress who itemized the evening specials without hesitation. I chose the seared tuna fish tacos; Clay, the fried oyster basket; Tom, the soft-shell crab sandwich. I learned that soft-shelled crab is a culinary term for crabs which have recently molted their old exoskeleton and are still soft. Soft-shells are removed from the water as soon as they molt to prevent any hardening of their shell which enables almost the entire animal to be eaten, rather than having to shell the animal to reach the meat. We giggled at Tom's sandwich when he bit into it with a resounding crunch...guess the harvest timing must have been a bit 'off.' With a smile on his face, Tom continued to eat, finishing his meal with a contented sigh...good roughage?

Monday morning presented the opportunity for Clay and me to walk the pathway familiar to us through the Swansboro downtown, across the three bridges to Dudley's Marina and back, with a midway stop at Clyde Phillips' Seafood. We took Mr. Phillips' recommendation for purchase of red drum and then watched him filet the fresh fish, weigh, then wrap in newspaper for us to take along with us.  We arrived at our boat simultaneously with our boater friends who were returning from breakfast at 'the Elvis place' downtown. They were quick to depart, but we chose to dawdle a bit.

Unbeknownst to us, drama was about to unfold. As we sat down at the breakfast counter to our inhouse breakfast, Clay noticed that Blue Willow was in the waterway but not moving. Uh oh! Running aground was not a question of if, but when, which explained Blue Willow's paralysis. Companion Patriot returned at a fast clip (too fast in Clay's estimation), later explained by Captain Jim as an attempt to create wake (waves) to dislodge the trawler from the shallow bar. Plan A failed, so Plan B: Sea Tow to the rescue.

We watched the Sea Tow rescue with Patriot returning to the face dock behind us. The little red Sea Tow tug tilted precariously with the weight and drag of Blue Willow, but the rescue was fairly quick. More up-close-and-personal was phase two of the morning's drama.

Desirous of joining her traveling companion, Patriot was quick to prep for departure...too quick. Captain Jim backed his vessel toward shore instead of away, allowing the current to catch him broadside and sweep him securely perpendicular against the dock from which he'd just departed. Having witnessed this scenario before, I encouraged Captain Jim to develop a plan of escape before acting. He liked the idea I proposed, and with Clay's help and mine, Patriot was soon docked IN the slip and ready to back against the current and be on her way. But I'll be darned if Jim didn't repeat his toward-shore move, realizing too late he was in the same darn predicament as before. Old habits die hard! Jim rapidly accelerated, sideswiping the dock's corner but doing no damage. Rough morning. But entertaining.

As we prepare for departure from Swansboro this Monday morning, I again bid you a fond farewell as we continue toward Norfolk.

Swansboro, NC to Chesapeake, VA April 27 - May 2, 2015

April 27 - May 2, 2015

Our long travel days continued as we departed Swansboro after witnessing the Sea-Tow and cross-current incidents. We traveled seven hours to Oriental, NC and docked at the Harbor Club at River Dunes, a community of homes encircling the marina complex which was beautifully planned but fraught with occupancy problems. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our delightful surroundings while moving hurriedly in preparation for our friend Joyce Bokor's arrival. 

Such fun to once again welcome Joyce aboard for the evening. I gave her a huge hug, telling her how thrilled I was to have a female aboard! An earlier-prepared crock pot meal enabled me to truly enjoy Joyce's company, while Clay did as well, with non-stop chatter detailing our morning's drama. Thanks, Joyce, for making the trek to Oriental for a visit!

Tuesday played out with drama additional to Monday's as, while underway, we received a US Coast Guard radio call alerting us to their desire to board SaSea Sally to check our vessel's credentials and preparedness. Gulp. Having passed a USCG Auxillary inspection in each of the past two years, we felt confident that nothing was amiss--but it's kinda like being stopped by the police or highway patrol when you believe you have done nothing wrong. You just know they're gonna find SOMETHING. 

Officer Diaz accompanied me to the enclosed area below while Clay 'entertained' a second USCG Officer in the fly bridge. We answered questions; produced documentation papers; pointed out life jackets, fire extinguishers, holding tank valve closures and locks, engine room components and the like. Came out smelling like a rose. Whew! And, we're good through August 2015; our inspection papers say so!

We anchored overnight at the Pungo River south anchorage, pulled anchor Wednesday morning and spent a long eight hours traversing the Alligator River and crossing the Albemarle Sound. Despite my repeatedly challenging Clay's decision, he chose to set anchor at Buck Island in the North River. In support of my position, I continued to cite our position in the spacious body of water which would guarantee a rough night until winds calmed. Not to be deterred, Clay insisted this to be THE spot--and the 'captain is always right.' Some two hours later, we sat down to dinner during which time Clay commented, "It's a bit rough." Duh!

Thursday brought an early morning spritz under overcast skies which forced a premature end to my Nordic Tracking. We pulled anchor and aimed the autopilot toward Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) on the outskirts of Norfolk. We made fashion statements on this rainy, overcast, chilly day with Clay in the helm chair with his navy blue 'lap robe,' and me in my Cabelas blue-and-gold full rain suit. You probably won't find either on the Spring runways, but in my books we took high marks. Note: The seam-leaking fly bridge canopy necessitated such attire! And, darn, we thought we had that problem licked! 

Once tied firmly to the face dock at AYB, we accepted the gracious offer for a Farm Fresh grocery run in the rain then hurriedly filled our cart so as not to delay the group in their return. Having delighted in the purchase of portobello mushrooms, I fashioned dinner around cheese portobellos, but failed to take color into account. WJHS home ec teacher Mrs. Owen would not be pleased with my presentation of an all-white dinner (cheese portobellos, baked potatoes and steamed cauliflower). But good nutrition!

We awakened Friday morning to rain and wind, but I managed a solo walk/jog at the first (and only) rain break of the day. Having seen a Panera on my route, I promptly called dibs on a lunch date with Clay only a 'short' walk away. Didn't happen! The rain and wind had us soaked the minute we stepped out the starboard door. Now why was I later able to complete a round of laundry in the 'distant' laundry room but not able to work in a lunch date? (Probably because my rain suit was suitable attire for the laundry room but not for the restaurant; plus, the washer-dryer was only a five-minute walk and the restaurant considerably more.) All in all, a miserable day, punctuated by my sheets yet again being rust-infused by the AYB washing machine. I truly didn't think 'lightning would strike twice in the same place.' AYB manager comp'd our second-night stay in lieu of the cost of a set of sheets. This management does honor integrity!

As we depart AYB this Saturday morning in bright sunshine destined for Norfolk, I again bid you a fond farewell. Having mastered long travel days and trumped a myriad of adventures along the way, we are guaranteed to reach Waterside Marina downtown Norfolk on time for the AGLCA Rendezvous. Well, almost guaranteed; on a boat, nothing is guaranteed but the adventure!