We are moving south with not only the migrating birds, but the migrating boaters. Each fall there is a mass movement of boats headed south to warmer waters in Florida and the Bahamas. It is a pretty time of the year, and we are in no hurry, so we spent some quality time cruising through the Low Country of South Carolina on our way to one of our favorite ports, Charleston, SC.
It has been our observation that once you are below Cape Hatteras, the bird life and wild life begins to pick up. We saw dolphins again in Beaufort, NC and Southport, NC on Cape Lookout. Blue Herons, Ibis, Osprey, and even the occasional Bald Eagle populate the low country grass and trees along the Intercoastal Waterway. Even the alligators are starting to show themselves early in the morning.
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| An Alligator on the Wacamaw River in South Carolina |
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| This pair of Bald Eagles were keeping a sharp eye on the river |
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| Those long skinny legs of the Blue Heron seem to be pretty stable on that small branch |
The sunrises this time of year are spectacular. We have had beautiful weather all in all. Much nicer than last spring on our northbound trip through the same area. We stopped in Charleston for two weeks to enjoy that city's southern charm and wonderful food.
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| Sunrise just south of Georgetown, SC |
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| The southern tip of Charleston and the Battery |
Our daughter Shana flew in to join Shelley for 4 days of Mother/Daughter time in Charleston. They walked miles every day, took historical home tours, and most of all sampled almost every restaurant in town. This is clearly Shelley's favorite spot on the east coast.
Following that visit my sister, Gayle and her husband Mark joined us on Rock Chalk and cruised 4 days with us down to Savannah. It is always fun to have family join us on our adventure. We all have slowed down a bit from our hard drinking days of sailing in the BVI, but there certainly was plenty of time in Charleston and further south to "pass some pleasure".
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| Gayle and Shelley enjoying a snack and conversation on Rock Chalk |
Rock Chalk is headed south for Stuart, Fl. We should be there by mid-November, where we will keep her at Sunset Bay Marina for the holidays. We are beginning the process of marketing the boat to sell. Yes, I know, that is a heart breaker. But it is time to end this chapter and move on. We have loved this boat and she has taken good care of us for almost 15,000 sea miles. This too, like all good things, must come to an end.
Marc and Shelley
