#24 May 26 - June 3

May 26th, see the black dot? That's us on our way in the twisty turny ICW to Savannah. And below, tied to the River Street Market Dock in downtown Savannah.

and right next to us huge ships ply the river to and from the Ocean.

Port of Savannah is the 3rd busiest port in the U.S. Just surpassed New York recently.

I mean, one after another!  

Many streets in Old Savannah are cobblestone, stone that had been used as ballast in ships.

River Street on the waterfront early in the morning before the throngs arrived.

Stairway to the top of the Bluff from River Street. 18th Century.

Sandra arrived around 5pm and after a bit we hit our first restaurant.  That is Alligator Tail Appetizer we are trying!  Actually, pretty good! I would order again.

We thoroughly enjoyed Savannah. Took the "on/off Trolley tour" all way round once then again getting off at several points of interest such as the Cathedral of St. John and Savannah Museum. The tour we took also incorporated many 'in character" characters that boarded the bus to give us just alittle more history, Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin; Duchess Penelope, shipping magnates wife who now haunts her old Mansion, and Forrest Gump.

Forrest said that Savannah was like a box of chocolates, you never knew what but there was always some 'nuts'.

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Don Gordon and son, came by several times while they were visiting Savannah and we all went to dinner at the Crab Shack out in the low country.  Dined outside under magnificent live Oaks.

Sandi enjoying a "Low-country Boil". That is a crayfish she is holding. We sat around a big round table with a hole in the middle with a garbage can under. Shells, peels, papers, empties - - all into the hole.  There were several little sinks strategically placed around for diners to wash their hands after manhandling their food!   Fun!!  Good too!!

Good group!

May 29th we traveled about 15 miles to Hilton Head.  Wow! Great vacation spot. Very well done and very tourist friendly. What was nice that even though there were all the "shops", gift, craft, art, etc it was all tastefully presented.  Lots of Rocking Chairs under the great Oaks, perfectly groomed landscaping, fabulous beaches.

May 30th we pushed on to Beaufort, SC which turned out to be our favorite town. Quiet, pristine, little village; just what our minds pictured as the perfect Southern village. We walked the waterfront park, then downtown for ice cream.  As in all stops along this part of the country there are beautifully restored homes and mansions

Sandi and I are ready to ride around Beaufort.

May 31st we left and encountered our shallowest water yet on the entire trip.  Of course we left at almost low tide. Syraca IV, pictured above, left before us.  We caught up with her at the entrance to a very narrow cutoff of the ICW.   She hard aground, with her tender (almost as big as our boat) working at freeing her from the mud. We were able to skim past her and even Bill was afraid we with our 3' 9" draft would ground.  Fortunately, we did not!  Not fun for Syraca, but fun for us to watch her progress over our chart Nav AIS tracking system.  She got off and anchored til the next day when the tide was up.  We just traveled 20 miles this day and anchored in a tributary before moving on to Charleston on the 1st.of June.

Charleston Trolley ride to the Maritime Center Park, Just a swingin'

Sandra and Dad with the aircraft carrier Yorktowne just off Bill's left shoulder moored at Patriot Point across the Cooper River. As you can see, Another Beautiful Day!

On the 2nd we took a combo Magnolia Plantation/City Tour. The Plantation portion was fascinating. Over 600 acres of rice paddies, fresh and brackish water ponds, teeming with alligators, ducks, birds, turtles, cypress trees and formal gardens with paths.As with all these old places, it used to be more than 2000 acres,  The following pics are from that portion. The peacocks wanted to have lunch with us.

Hundred years ago this plank was placed. 

Small alligator on the ramp, both trees rookeries for the water birds.

City Tour was informative.

These houses were shops on the bottom with proprietors quarters above. All different colors dating back centuries.

Lovely handmade wrought ironwork.

Bill and I shared a supper - Shrimp and Grits, a must have when in Georgia and South Carolina. Delicious, a little spicey but GOOD and the Grits were smooth and creamy. NOT like any other grits I have every had. 

This dinner was at the Restaurant, "Prohibition", where Mirands's boyfriend Michael manages. It is unique in many ways. Basically, an Irish Pub with a modern twist. They serve wild game also, really big here in Charleston.  The bar tenders are the best in the city and mix innumerable libations with various flavored infused spirits.  We had strawberry infused rum Mojito. Two!  Sandi figures it is a great drink for around a pool on a warm summer day. I say it is a great drink ANYTIME!!!!  Tell your friends - Prohibition is a must stop in Charleston.

Today is the 3rd of June, Sandra has left for home and we are awaiting the wind to settle before heading North up the ICW.  Myrtle Beach and Wilmington NC our next ports, with a few anchorages in between.




















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