Date: April 10, 2013
Days on the Cruise: 16
From: Thunderbolt Marina, Thunderbolt (Savannah), GA
To: Downtown Marina in Beaufort, SC
Statute Miles: 47.3
Time: 6.0 Hours
Cumulative Miles: 681.9
On Board: Chuck, Susan, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut, joined by Susan's sister Linda and
her husband Richard
 |
| We are in Beaufort, SC tonight. |
We left Thunderbolt in Savannah at 7:30, right on schedule, or rather "in accordance with our itinerary". Remember we are not supposed to have a schedule on the Loop!
It was a beautiful morning except for the swarm of bugs that hit us when we were untying the boat. Wow is all I can say. In the eyes, on the arms, in the hair, they were everywhere. After we gained some momentum and got out of the basin, the bugs were gone. Thank goodness.
 |
| Leaving Thunderbolt Marina |
 |
| Shrimp Boats Near Thunderbolt This Morning |
We soon fell in behind two sailboats and a two barge tow being pushed by the "Sarah Caitlin". We passed one sailboat, then we turned into a narrow channel and we passed the tow. We also passed the second sailboat, as we neared the crossing of the Savannah River.
We were listening to marine traffic on channel 13, and heard a container ship coming up the Savannah River. He was announcing his whereabouts every few minutes and we heard him announce that he was coming up on the intersection with the ICW. The "Sarah Caitlin" called us and told us about the ship, and just then, we saw her coming up the river. The ship actually called us and told us not to cross the river in front of him. We were pretty impressed that an 800 foot ship knew who and where we were, and talked to us on the VHF.
 |
| Container Ship Coming Up The River |
We went into neutral as we got into the river, then we passed astern of the ship as she went by, throwing a pretty good wake at both us and the sailboats. Containers were stacked to the sky on this huge ship coming into the port of Savannah.
 |
| Stop and Wait for this Big Container Ship to Pass |
 |
| Passing Behind the Container Ship. All Clear. |
 |
| Wake Rocks "Blue Moon" and Sailboat |
 |
| Two Shrimp Boats Pass Us Near Hilton Head |
It took us about two hours or so to get up to Hilton Head. When we got into the Sound in front of Harbortown and the cool lighthouse with the red and white stripes, a Coast Guard helicopter started doing fly bys at increasingly lower altitudes. We noticed a fishing boat on our starboard side with two folks in it in life jackets. The helo started to approach the boat in a hover. I had passed the fishing boat, and when it was evident that the helicopter was trying to assist the boat, I called the helicopter and asked if I could be of assistance. The helo actually responded and told me that they were doing a training exercise with a Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat, and that they were OK. It was tough to hear the pilot over the intense noise of the helicopter.
 |
| Coast Guard Helo Buzzing Us Near Hilton Head |
A highlight of the trip up to Beaufort was seeing Parris Island. We went right by it and got a great view of some of the buildings making up the central portion of the base. The water tank on base has a great sign on it: "We Make Marines". Our guest Richard trained at Parris Island and is very active in the Marine League of Montgomery, AL. He has toured Parris Island and seen the current day training, but he loved seeing it from the water. It was especially neat to hear him call his friends and tell them he was passing the base on the boat.
 |
| The Wilds of Parris Island |
 |
| Downtown Parris Island |
 |
| Famous "We Make Marines" Water Tower on Parris Island |
Soon after passing Parris Island, we got into more "No Wake" zones leading into Beaufort. These seemed to go on and on and on. It was awful, bucking the current and the tide at 3 mph. But we arrived at the Downtown Marina in Beaufort at 1:30 PM and tied up. It is a really pretty place!
 |
| Approaching Beaufort Downtown Marina |
 |
| On the Floating Dock at Downtown Marina |
 |
| Blue Moon on Face Dock at Beaufort |
 |
| Susan on the Dock at Beaufort |
 |
| Downtown Beaufort |
Dinner tonight was at Plum, a neat little restaurant on the water in downtown Beaufort. It is only a 3-5 minute walk from the marina. It was easily the best meal and dining experience we have had since leaving JAX last week. Might go there again tomorrow when we will meet Susan and Linda's cousin for diner in Beaufort.
The restaurant is one of several on a river walk that goes from the marina East along the waterfront to the Bridge in Beaufort. It has numerous places to sit, an amphitheater, and swings along the river. Very Cool.
 |
| Downtown Beaufort River Walk |
 |
| Susan, Linda, and Richard on the River Walk |
 |
| Downtown Beaufort River Walk |
 |
| Chuck and Susan on the River Walk |
 |
| Linda and Richard on the River Walk |
Tomorrow we stay in Beaufort and check out the town. We are supposed to go to Charleston on Friday. Another long day at 70 miles. The weather right now is iffy on Friday, so we will make a decision tomorrow on whether we go or spend another day in Beaufort.
Thanks for Reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment