We decided to keep the day a bit shorter than yesterday. Aside from the fact that the long day in the rain just wore us out yesterday, it turns out that Thunderbolt, GA is the last place to stop for fuel for about 100 miles. It is a suburb of Savannah, so it was also a good place to get some groceries, have dinner off the boat, do some laundry, and just get ready for a couple days out and away.
The morning started at MM "516" and ended at MM "584. I tried to get a photo of our anchorage last evening but it was just too dark. This was taken this morning as we were pulling out of the creek where we anchored.
Way off in the distance, there is another boat still at anchor. Not sure when he arrived, but we saw his lights off in the distance.
Our journey today took us across the Ashpoo Coosaw Cut to the Coosaw River, and then into the Beaufort River, down through Beaufort, SC, then past Parris Island (a Marine Boot Camp), then we turned south west into Port Royal Sound just before entering the Atlantic Ocean. We turned to port and entered the river that runs behind Hilton Head Island, which eventually became Calibogue Sound. Once again, just before entering the Atlantic, we motored up behind Daufuskie Island via a series of rivers and cuts. This took us to the Savannah River where we crossed the shipping channel (and had a run in with a rather large inbound container ship). Finally, we entered the Wilmington River which deposited us on the transient docks at Bahia Blue Marina in Thunderbolt.
The day started cool and dreary, but eventually warmed into the mid 70s as the sun overwhelmed the clouds.
A look at this shot of the chart plotter will give an idea of the many tidal estuaries that seem to be everywhere in coastal GA and SC.
With water comes bridges. We transited through/under 5 or 6 including this swing bridge in Beaufort SC where we had to wait 25 minutes for the opening, a fixed bridge behind Hilton Head, and this tandem bascule bridge in Thunderbolt (this is the first tandem that we have seen).
We had run ins with a couple of larger craft, including a tug/barge that was doing about 1 knot less than us (which made passing nearly impossible), and a large container ship coming up the Savannah River.
I was going to pass in front of this container ship, but the harbor pilot graciously, but firmly recommended that I sit tight as he was proceeding toward me at 14 knots...still think that I could have made it comfortably, but everyone else (habor pilot, Vic, tug captain behind me) all probably were pleased that I gave way..guess it is just my overwhelming need to tilt at windmills that makes me want to do this!
There were many "shrimpers' out today as we came out of the Beaufort River. Here are some interesting shots of them in action.
It looked like this guy was the Pied Piper of birds..from a distance, it looked like a swarm of flies.
As we sailed up behind Hilton Head, there were some stunning properties. Here are just a few.
And here is a shot at the southwest end of the island. Vic and I have eaten at the restaurant next to this lighthouse a couple of years ago when we stopped in the plane for fuel.
The tide change in SC and GA is unreal. I just looked at the tide tables at our location in Thunderbolt, and the tide swing this evening is OVER 10 Feet! Most of the docks are floating, but you still see some strange sites.
Obviously, this shot was taken at low tide!
We had some great bird photos today. I decided to post a couple of them this evening.
With luck tomorrow, we will try to make it to MM "670". This will put us up behind St. Simon's Island. The plan is to anchor out for the evening. Then on Saturday, we should easily cross into Florida at MM "714" and then some.
From this evening's vantage point, it appears that we will need 10 more days to make it around to Long Boat Key on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Stay tuned....more to come...
Paul and Vic, what a great blog! Well done my friend!! I almost feel as though I am on the trip. What a wonderful adventure!!! Arrive safely and we'll see you soon. Keep posting!
Posted by: Jody Shrum | 10/16/2009 at 08:11 AM
Thanks Jody. We are anchored up in a creek behind St. Simons Island GA this evening...had a nice dinner and will soon crash once I complete this evening's blog entry. Hope that you, Glen, and your munchkinette are doing well..keep in touch and keep following the journey,,,still have 9-10 days to go...P
Posted by: Paul White | 10/16/2009 at 07:06 PM