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!

Brunswick GA to Charleston/Johns Island SC March 22-28, 2015

March 22-28, 2015

Please note that the following update is extremely tardy, but I felt compelled to relate to you the details of our last March week aboard SaSea Sally before returning to Missouri for tax work and miscellaneous other tasks. We're back aboard now (April 24th) and cruising toward Norfolk, VA for an early-May AGLCA convention. See forthcoming updates when they become available.

The radar screen predicted a dreary day as we prepped for our mid-morning departure from Brunswick Landing Marina this Sunday morning, March 22nd...overcast, cool and quite humid with rain in the forecast. Bummer! Not fun conditions for anyone doing anything outdoors...and certainly not fun for boating. We put in a commendable eight hours on the waterway to arrive at G107 for overnight anchoring. (Clay usually has a more elaborate name for our anchorage, but in this case it was just the channel marker G (for green) and 107, sequential numbering along the ICW).

Leftovers made for an easy dinner and clean-up which I did while the guys (guest Joe Weston and captain Clay) watched a March Madness game on tv. I checked in with both Kristen and John who had suffered through a first puppy accident while doing yard work with a tiller. Bet Remi won't go near that tiller again! I think John suffered more than Remi. Thank goodness for puppy insurance; thanks, Tonya Sheppard, for the suggestion! Remi's left paw will mend with the help of stitches, bandaging, a pain-killer, antibiotic and a hefty dose of TLC.

Wow, but that man of mine sure knows how to provide overnight entertainment. I awakened at 1:49 a.m. still anchored at G107 on the ICW with a GPS location of Richmond Hill, GA, to an unknown, never-heard-before noise. Of course, Clay was asleep and oblivious to the whirring noise coming from who-knows-where. With him asleep and no stirring from the front stateroom where Joe currently resided, I knew I was the designated solo sleuth. Punctuating the noise was a periodic double-beep.

Finding nothing, I gently shook Clay for assistance, at which time he suggested, from his horizontal, supine position, to lift the engine room door and listen. Voila! Noise! But I still didn't know what it was nor whether to be alarmed. He seemed unconcerned; Joe was comatose. Clay finally joined in and pointed out the free-wheeling props, the shafts of which were merrily rolling along in the underbelly of SaSea Sally. Not to worry was the final determination from the good captain as he disappeared into the back stateroom. I followed, but laid awake for another 45 minutes at which time I ear-plugged and promptly fell asleep. Thank goodness!

Up at 6 a.m. for my usual and customary stretch routine, my teeth-brushing was interrupted by a high-alert alarm emitting from Clay's cell phone. The app 'Drag Queen' was insistent that we'd moved out of our pre-designated radius (remember, we were anchored); Drag Queen's alarm is much more alarming than the app Clay had used previously. Ah, such a life I'm living.

Easy anchor pull at 9:30 a.m., we were off for the Savannah riverfront under ugly skies, spitting rain and more chilly temps. My efforts to secure a dock space much as we'd had on our previous visit were met with, "Dock closed. The Nina and Pinta are due in this Monday afternoon to occupy said space." But the city garage superintendent, who was responsible for the downtown city boat docks (and reservations), gave an alternative which suited us well at the River Street Market Dock. 

By mid-afternoon, we were secured to the dock in a remarkable current with logs intermittently hitting SaSea's hull with a resounding thud. Joe and I made haste to escape, with Joe's destination the waterside market place (a pavillion of open-air vendors) and my destination a walk in the rain under my protective gortex jacket and hood. We left Clay to explore dining options, having many available to us nearby. Joe made comment of his and Terry having dined at a River Street restaurant some years ago; amazingly, our reservation choice was one and the same with theirs, a dockmaster's recommendation called the Shrimp Factory. We found it to be highly popular and quite satisfying to us and to a host of obvious convention-goers on expense accounts!

Tuesday brought a long travel day of five-plus hours under overcast skies (but no rain) and chilly temps to arrive at Lady's Island just outside Beaufort, SC. Clay's landing was a bit shaky, so I was especially thankful for dockmaster TJ's masterful handling of our lines. It amazes me that one spring line can literally stop a 20-ton boat when done correctly! Good job, TJ...this little lady applauds you! Soon after, TJ donned a different hat and responded to my 'code red' announcement by appearing in his little pump out boat to pump our holding tanks. Antimated with stories of past pump out experiences, TJ entertained us during an otherwise unpleasant task.

Joe had been well-'warned' of the Fillin' Station (restaurant) which made him all the more eager to experience firsthand the evening special of 1.5# crablegs, twice-baked potato, corn on the cob, and sausage (sausage?) for twelve bucks. I begged off to enjoy a bit of R&R at the boat, giving me time to launder a belly load, eat a bit of supper out of the frig, and hit the sack early.

Wednesday was a much-welcomed day in port during which time we tested Joe's two new knees with not only our usual-and-customary morning walk, but also a lengthy walk across the bridge into the beautiful Beaufort downtown. Joe, armed with his camera, was eager to see the sights offered by this appealing little historic downtown.

Back across the bridge after sightseeing, a late lunch and a bit of shop browsing, we returned to Lady's Island Marina in time for me to 'whip up' a yummy pork tenderloin dinner. I was truly glad dinner was cook in and not grill out because swarms of no-see-ums appeared as the winds calmed and the sun set. Wicked little critters they are!

What an enthusiastic send-off we received Thursday morning as we departed Lady's Island Marina! We have had opportunity along our Loop's path to meet and greet amazing folks, none better than right here on Lady's Island. I believe Joe was impressed with this little community just as we have been.

Thursday's sunshine didn't last very long with storms moving in from the southwest. Those storms chased us all the way to Charleston, SC, but we managed to dodge all but a few spritzes during our six hours of cruising time. St. John's Yacht Harbor, a rather remote location on the Stono River, was our choice in marinas because this facility offered daily, weekly and monthly rates; it was our intent to leave SaSea Sally for a three-plus week trek back to Missouri for tax work and miscellaneous other tasks which beckoned. At this location, Charleston was near yet so far away. Joe had the pleasure of experiencing downtown Savannah and Beaufort, but Charleston downtown was not to be.

Friday was spent in preparation for Saturday's departure to Missouri, and we kept busy with numerous tasks demanding our attention. The day was a necessary one to lay groundwork for our absence and for our return...but not particularly an entertaining one for our guest Joe. Thanks, Joe, for being a sport.

As we prep for our Missouri trip, I bid you farewell until our late-April return to the SaSea Sally.