30-APR-2021 Friday City of Annapolis Mooring Ball, Annapolis MD (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
38°58’31.0″N 76°28’57.7″W 38.975265, -76.482687 Elevation: sea level – Heading up the Chesapeake we are still at sea level. It is a bay. States (1): Maryland
Along the Way
Winded out. There were gail force winds (34–47 knots/40-55 mph of sustained wind) today gusting to 60 mph. The G-forces of gusts of wind on beam almost made me fall down a couple of times. Thank goodness we are in the harbor and tied to a mooring ball. We have the standard two lines on the mooring ball (one from bow cleat) and an extra safety line in case one breaks.
We dropped the dinghy but didn’t venture into town. It was a little too windy and a little too cold. We sat inside and watched the world go by all morning.
The sail boats instructors used the mooring balls for practice with their students. They ran the lines and tacked in and out around the balls. They got real close but never hit us.
I was surprised at how loudly the sheets rattled when they changed direction.
A near miss by these joy riders.
interesting …
The neighbor’s dinghy got loose and a passer by boat grabbed it. We told him whose it was and he took it over to their boat.
By afternoon no one was moving around in the harbor.
We had a jig saw puzzle on board.
Finished by 9pm
Today reminded me of a snowed in day in Minnesota where you don’t go anywhere and are just stuck at home.
The winds will pick up more tonight then drop off tomorrow afternoon 🙁
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Annapolis at one time used the slogan “sailing capital” for their city. As the capital city of Maryland and a prominent port, it was an easy claim to make. Sailing and racing is a big deal in Annapolis.
29-APR-2021 Thursday Somer’s Cove Marina, Crisfield MD to City of Annapolis Mooring Ball, Annapolis MD (76.8 nautical miles 88.4 statute miles)
38°58’31.0″N 76°28’57.7″W 38.975265, -76.482687 Elevation: sea level – Heading up the Chesapeake we are still at sea level. It is a bay. States (1): Maryland
Along the Way
Independent Crab Co., Inc.
Smith Island
Around Smith Island and into the Chesapeake Bay
Smith Island is largely flat
Two views of Smith Island. Navionics and Raymarine
Solomons Lump Light (built in 1885)
They sunk my battleship!
Two views of the danger zone. Raymarine and Navionics
Target practices
Crab Trap City Every lighthouse is a crab trap city with hundreds of traps. I wonder how many million crab traps there are on the Chesapeake.
Tossing the trap
Hooper Island Lighthouse crab trap city
tossing the line
tossing the trap
I hate crab traps so much I’m going to stop eating crab.
We pushed up the Chesapeake current not making the speeds of yesterday. The current was against us and we didn’t have the following winds. We had another day of flies. Ugh. I’d go south to get rid of them but then we weould have the horseflies, love bugs, chiggers….
Cove Point
Cove Point Lighthouse (built in 1828)
Massive fuel dock and tanks
Underwater tunnel from fuel docks to tanks
Aquatic Fly Boys. I suppose they need practice too.
interesting vessel
Entering Annapolis
What a ride!
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (built in 1875)
Mainsail
spinnaker and mainsail
raising the jib
dropping the spinnaker
jib and mainsail
Toy Boats. I suppose the Naval Cadets need to learn to pilot a boat on something.
We are anchored tonight in this harbor.
It’s been a grey weather day and a long run.
Half Looped
Nautical Miles: 4145 Statute Miles: 4771 Days on journey: 208 Days on Loop: 197
It will take us a shorter period of time to get back to Minnesota that it took us to get here as we will not be extended staying anywhere. We hope to be in Minnesota by mid-August or sooner following the Great Lakes southern path to get back.
Good Night
Chart House Restaurant
St Mary’s Parish
Maryland State House
Naval Academy Rip Miller Field
Drolleries and Yuks
A pirate walks into a bar with a paper towel on his head. The bartender asks “Hey, what’s with the paper towel?” The pirate replies “Argh, I’ve got a Bounty on me head!”
28-APR-2021 Wednesday Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Park, Chesapeake VA to Somer’s Cove Marina, Crisfield MD (86.1 nautical miles 99.1 statute miles)
5:50 AM departure from the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Park free dock on the Albemarle/Chesapeake Canal to catch the 6:00am bridge lift and lock.
Leaving the Great Bridge Battlefield Historical Center free dock
Lift bridge and lock in distance
Lock
A 3-years dream places. There were stickers everywhere.
Down the Elizabeth River towards Norfolk
Bridge delimits size of vessel that can travel further up river
inbound
looks like a portable lighthouse
Navy portal barracks or office build
Portsmouth (left) Norfolk (right)
Penned in warships and other vessels.(The Navy vessels referred to themselves as warships when hailing other vessels.)
aircraft carriers
The submarine is penned in so it ISN’T a museum.
Navy tow boats
Dry dock. It takes a lot of effort to keep yes dear… clean and in working order. I can’t even begin to imagine the effort to these warships afloat. No wonder they are out for 6 months then in harbor for 6 months. Besides, salt water is really hard on everything.
dry dock
The Norfolk Conventions and Visitor Center is directly across from the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Mile Marker Zero, Portsmouth, Virginia (milepost 0.0).
Norfolk Conventions and Visitor Center
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is next door to the Norfolk Conventions and Visitor Center. NOAA is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. NOAA is every boaters friend.
Continuing down the Elizabeth River. More Navy vessels.
The little Harbor Patrol boat is just like the one that stopped us earlier (April 16, 2021)
Hey! They put fenders between just like us.
And then there’s the the Land of the Merchant Vessels. There were several very large terminals.
Evergreen Ever Lasting leaving port
stacked 18 wide, 21 long and 9 high
The Ever Lasting is owned the the Evergreen Marine Corporation, the same corporation that had the boat stuck in the Suez Canal. The Ever Lasting, above, is a big ship. The Ever Given, the boat that got stuck in the Suez, is a really big ship. It is one of the largest container ships in the world. The capacity of the Every Given is more that double the capacity of the Ever Lasting. Just for perspective:
Vessel
TEU
Draught(ft)
LOA(ft)
Width(ft)
Ever Lasting
8,452
36
1,099
160
Ever Given
20,000
51
1,312
194
Nauti Words: TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is an exact unit used to measure cargo capacity for container ships and container terminals. LOA (length overall) is the maximum length of a vessel’s hull measured parallel to the waterline.
Another smaller cargo ship for comparison.
stacked 17 wide, 20 long and 7 high
Merrimac (Does the name ring a bell? Do you remember your history lessons????)
It’s a crowd out here today. Being a small boat we stayed well out of the commercial channels as the was plenty of depth elsewhere.
More Naval docks and vessels
USNS Comfort hospital ship
Naval Docks
aircraft carrier
helicopter carrier
Battle of the Bay The Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack took place on March 8, 1862 and March 9, 1862 and was the first clash between ironclad warships. This battle changed the future of naval warfare.
The battle took place in this bay
Under ground car tunnel between Hampton MD on left/top and Norfolk on right/bottom
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse
Southbound Wednesday marine traffic in the Chesapeake
It was a delight to see ‘clean’ water. The water in the rivers and canals are full of tannins and coffee colored.
Fly boys
directly overhead
Fly killer We literally had a boat load of flies today. We were out in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, miles from nowhere and flies kept landing on yes dear… Where were they coming from?
A samurai at work.
5 minutes of work. Dale must have killed over 2 dozen.
Crisfield, MD
Crisfield is the home of the ‘National Hard Crab Derby’ every Labor Day Weekend. Crabs are brought to Crisfield from all over the Chesapeake Bay region and are raced at Somers Cove Marina (where we stayed) on a slick, flat track in view of hundreds of spectators. Fifty live crabs at a time are launched from the wooden “crab cake track” onto a wet flat surface pitched at an angle. The first crabs off the surface are the winners of that heat. Heat winners continue to compete. The highlight of the race is grand finale The Governor’s Cup Race.
Race Ground
near by crab restaurant
Waters Edge Cafe is a well known state of Maryland must eat at restaurant. I had to go there. We split an order of their famous crab cakes. Half way through I remembered to take a picture.
Floccinaucinihilipilification: Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce is not actually from Texas. This hot sauce is made by TW Garner Food company in Winston-Salem North Carolina and has been in production since 1929.
For dessert I needed to have a slice of Smith Island cake. 10 layers of cake and yummy chocolate made by a Smith Island Baker, checked off my culinary bucket list.
Maryland’s official state dessert.
Oreo smith island cake doesn’t feel authentic to me. I somehow doubt they had Oreos back then
Smith Island Cake dates all the way back to the 1800s. Island inhabitants would would send these multi-layered cakes with watermen for their autumn oyster harvest. Fudge was used because it lasted much longer than buttercream icing.
Neighbors
Slow night in the marina. Too early in the season.
Ponder This
Who ever said out of sight out of mind never had a spider disappear on the bedroom.
27-APR-2021 Tuesday Alligator River Winn Bay, half way between Cypress Point and Tuckahoe Point, Fairfield NC to Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Park, Chesapeake VA (80.1 nautical miles 92.2 statute miles)
36°43’14.6″N 76°14’14.5″W 36.720720, -76.237365 Elevation: sea level States (2): North Carolina, Virginia
Truly picturesque morning
It was a truly picturesque morning. Up at 6AM, I wandered from one side of yes dear… to the other. The sun was rising in the east and the super moon was setting in the west. There was also was a light fog on the water. Here comes the sun and there goes the moon.
Along the Way
We were off.
ducks blinds
The @!?Z! black crab trap markers are hard to spot
Blue Loop Flag = Corporate Sponsor
Coinjock NC The Coinjock Marina Restaurant is one of those must stop at places if you are ever in the area. They are famous for their prime rib. We stopped for lunch. (Bragging rights)
House fire on Bell Island
We got just close enough to see the Outer Banks in the distance when we were on the North Landing River.
Outer Banks in distance
Thx black square markings on the chart are duck blinds
Peek a Boo
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal to Norfolk
At least 20 jets passed by. One about every two minutes.
Speed Bumps on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal
North Landing Bridge opens every 30 minutes
The final speed bump was the Great Bridge Lock and Bridge. We stopped just short of it and will tackle it in the morning. We are tied up on a free dock.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
The Battle of Great Bridge was fought December 9, 1775, in the area of Great Bridge, Virginia, early in the American Revolutionary War. The victory by colonial Virginia militia forces led to the departure of Royal Governor Lord Dunmore and any remaining vestiges of British power over the Colony of Virginia during the early days of the conflict.
I had no idea.
Ponder This
You know how they throw the ball into the stand after they win the game? That’s not allowed in bowling.
26-APR-2021 Monday Galley Stores Marina, New Bern NC to Alligator River Winn Bay, half way between Cypress Point and Tuckahoe Point, Fairfield NC (90.8 nautical miles 104.5 statute miles)
35°40’14.4″N 76°05’27.2″W 35.670677, -76.090900 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
Today we left New Bern and are headed towards Norfolk. It’ll be a three day run weather permitting. The weather window looks good but weather is weather and always subject to change.
We looked at a lot of water today following the red path from New Bern to the Alligator River.
Heading out Neuse River
Entering Pamlico Sound – You can’t see across it ~20 miles
We didn’t go near there (bombing range)
We didn’t get close enough to read the signs
crabbers
Misnomer R&R. They are not going to have many friends travel his speed 19.6 mph and hitting people with a big wake.
Alligator River/Pungo River Canal
USCG Hobucken Station – I’d like to be stationed her
That little boat has a lot of rock to move.
Confluence of Pamlico and Pungo Rivers
duck blind
Tonight’s anchorage is dead ahead
Good Night
Tonight’s anchorage was in Winn Bay of the Alligator River. One of the local military bases must us it to train helicopter pilots. After their 23rd time around we’d had enough. They went around another 23 times.
About sunset they headed for home.
The super moon was on the other side the boat.
About 4AM it looked like this.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Stretching 248 miles, the Neuse River is the longest river in North Carolina; at its mouth, it is the widest river in America at 6 miles across.
Pamlico Sound is the largest lagoon along the North American East Coast, extending 80 miles long and 15 to 20 miles wide.
The Alligator River was named for its shape. It does not have alligators.
24-APR-2021 Saturday Galley Stores Marina, New Bern NC (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
35°06’26.3″N 77°02’02.4″W 35.107292, -77.034002 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
Bradham Pharmacy – This is the location where Caleb D Bradham created Pepsi-Cola in 1898.
In front of Bradham Pharmacy
I bet you are wondering about Dale’s sling. He’s been dealing with a muscle spasm side effect from his first COVID shot about two months ago. It’s amazing how many people go out of their way to offer sympathy and get well wishes to him. The muscle spasm has to go away eventually….
Another meal I DIDN’T order
Missed this bear yesterday,,,,
Mitchell Hardware Store, founded in 1898, is an authentic working hardware store. They had a bear and have a little bit of everything and anything. We stopped in for supplies to make a new anchor bridle. Line was measured on the floor instead of using one of the fancy measuring thingy you find at Lowes.
Serious shellfish cleaning tools
North Carolina is an interesting blend of the South and New England culture and charm.
Saturday Farmers Market
North Carolina style art
Pork skins made here in New Bern
North Carolina’s answer to Wisconsin cheese curds
These were weird
Checking out some of the historical area.
Tryon Palace was completed in 1770 as the British colonial government house. It was the official residence and administrative headquarters of the British governors of North Carolina from 1770 to 1775. The residence was seized by patriot troops in 1775. After the Revolutionary War, New Bern became the state capital and the Tryon Palace became the First State Capital of North Carolina. The North Carolina the state capital was relocated to Raleigh in 1792.
Stanly House. George Washington visited the Stanly home two nights. April 20-21, 1791. That’s 230 years ago almost to the day. John Wright Stanly, a Revolutionary War veteran.
This formal garden must have been beautiful a week ago with tulips in bloom. Interestingly the hedges are trimmed in a trapezoid shape. They are wider at the bottom than they are at the top.
Adjacent flower garden. Oyster shells were used instead of stones to line the garden path.
oyster shells
We picked up supper, today’s caught shrimp, at the local seafood market then headed back to the boat.
Bridges at the confluence of the Neuse and the Trent Rivers.
There were a lot more bears but I’d decided I’d already take enough pictures of bears.
Nauti Work
We are trying a different style for our new anchor bridle. We like the simple, free sliding hook on the anchor bridle line but the line eventually abraids and breaks when under the strain of heavy waves. The free sliding hook on the anchor bridle as it allows yes dear… to move more fluidly with the waves and current, minimizing the jolts when the anchor rode pulls tight. With the secured hook we will feel more jolting but we’ll have a second line on the hook should one side fail. (i.e. we won’t have to go out in the middle of the night and tie a line to the chain like we did a couple nights ago.)
Old ropes and new ground tackle
After trimming and cauterizing the old lines, and tying a couple of blundtline hitches we had ourselves a new anchor bridle that looked like a couple of third graders made it. If we like it, I’ll take the time later to braid the loop rather than use the blundtline hitches.
Neighbors
The marina bathroom/shower doesn’t have bolt locks to secure the door from the inside when you are using it. The dead lock is in effective. Instead, you have to more the magnetic OCCUPIED sign from the inside door to the outside door and hope someone doesn’t come in. When you’re done you need to remember to move the sign back to the inside door so others will know it’s empty.
I made Dale stand sentry outside the door when I took a shower. (I did that for him too.)
What do you call James Bond taking a bath? ~Bubble-07
Floccinaucinihilipilification
In 1996 The Notebook, set in New Bern and written by New Bern resident Nicholas Sparks, was the first novel in America to be on both the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists for over a year.
We are waiting out the weather until Monday. The wind came up and it’s going to be a rolly night even in the marina.
23-APR-2021 Friday Galley Stores Marina, New Bern NC (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
35°06’26.3″N 77°02’02.4″W 35.107292, -77.034002 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
After a wonderful 10 hour night’s sleep (needed recovery from hard night on the hook) we wandered Historic New Bern.
Historic Court House circa 1897
What’s up with the bears?
cast-iron bear heads above the doors to City Hall
bear on the steps of City Hall
across the street from City Hall
Bears every where. What’s up with that?
Bear Plaza
Bear beer
not a bear, but looks like one
New Bern City Fag OMG. Is that what I think it is on the bear???
not a bear, but looks like one
not a bear, but looks like one
Mama bear
“Bearon” de Graffenried – Founder of Historic New Bern
Captain Black Bear’d
Neighbors
yes dear… is one of the smaller boats in the marina today.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
New Bern, North Carolina’s second oldest town, was settled in 1710 by Swiss and Palatine German immigrants led by Baron Christoph DeGraffenried. The new colonists named the settlement Bern, the capital of Switzerland and hometown of their leader. Bern means “bear” in German. The Bern’s bear symbol and flag, as well as the name was passed along to New Bern.
There are more than 50 fiberglass bears scattered around the city, all uniquely designed and decorated! Although there are bears in North Carolina, it’s highly unlikely that there are any real bears around New Bern.
22-APR-2021 Thursday Adams Creek, Merrimon NC to Galley Stores Marina, New Bern NC (24.9 nautical miles 28.7 statute miles)
35°06’26.3″N 77°02’02.4″W 35.107292, -77.034002 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
I’m crabby today and I’m not talking crap traps. It’s 49 degrees and it was a long night. The wind and waves did not lay down. Our anchor light pole jiggled loose and fell out during the night with all the jostling. Fortunately we were well out of the channel and the light didn’t fall off the boat.
Our anchor bridle broke sometime during the night too. Dale and I were out on the bow in 49 degree weather and waves in our night clothes tying a line to the chain rode using icicle hitch to relieve tension on the bow pulpit. An icicle hitch…. Go figure.
At least the anchor wasn’t dragging. I love our Vulcan anchor.
The ride up the Nuese River against the current to New Bern today was no picnic either. Stinking crab pots. It seems we can never get away from them. At least the wind was at our back. Dale was at the upper helm for most of the run by himself. I coward in the salon where it was slightly warmer.
I de-crabbed long enough to take pictures of the US17 bridge at New Bern. It’s one of the more unusual engineering efforts we’ve seen with the clover leaf interchanges over the water.
We paid for four nights in a Galley Stores Marina and bought fuel $$$$. Then they had the audacity to charge us $20 for a pumpout, where usually it’s free. For the $$$$ we spent here I should have been given a full out kiss on the lips.
21-APR-2021 Wednesday Anchors Away Boat Yard, Hampstead NC to Adams Creek, Merrimon NC (73.0 nautical miles 84.0 statute miles)
34°55’34.4″N 76°39’11.6″W 34.926223, -76.653214 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
The first item on the agenda today was to swap out the props. While dancing in the current, waiting for a bridge to lift near Myrtle Beach the starboard prop hit something hard in10 feet of water. Most likely it was a submerged piling from and old dock. yes dear... has had vibrations from her starboard prop ever since. We had our spare props sent up from Cape Canaveral so we could swap them out.
The lift is ready for yes dear…
We needed to check into the office before work could commence. It’s always an interesting walk through a boat yard.
pro wax job (cool thing to do if you are rich)
fiberglass faux wood finish (cool thing to do if you are rich)
epoxied rudder and prop (cool thing to do if you are rich)
The boat yard had an unusual approach for readying a boat for a lift. They walked the sling back underneath yes dear… untying and retying dock lines. Every other place we’ve been we’ve driven the boat into the sling.
quite the dent
like Christmas opening up the boxes
ready for tightening
Dale helped out
Nothing but good vibrations from here on out!
The mechanic who swapped out the props has lived in the boat yard for the past 8 years. He invited us over to see his boat.
Nice Hatteras
electrical meter
tiki deck, bar and hot tub!
OK …. back to the office to pay our bill.
The ‘Carolina flare’ is a popular deep sea fishing boat in the Carolinas. The exaggerated flare from the bow to the gunwales keeps the topsides dry as it deflects the waves as they crash under the bow.
Carolina flare (cool thing to have if you are rich)
Really? A $39 Yeti pail? You could have got one at Lowes for $3.98. (cool thing to have if you are rich)
Office help
Paid, splashed and we were on our way.
tight squeeze with the tow tied under the bridge
The Atlantic is on the other side of the houses.
crew change boats fueling
Craig Point
The Onslow beach bridge is owned and managed by the US Marine Core. Land on both sides of the ICW is heading north is owned by the US Marine Core and used for target practice.
Entering the military zone.
They weren’t practicing along the ICW today but there were sounds of bombs and other large caliber ammo. It reverberated through us. Shelling took on a whole different meaning today.
Battle games targets
With the wind at our back it turned cold every time we slowed down. We didn’t slow down often.
tucked away for safe keeping
Hammock beach state park. They got themselves some dock poles. Only a 3 foot tide in this area.
Bouge sound has barrier islands within barrier islands.
duck blind
wind effect on trees
Heading into Morehead City
Carolina flare fishing boat
Emptying ballast water. Bays open for loading.
Fort Macon
Beaufort Inlet
Now this IS a fishing boat
Duke University marine lab
commercial fishing boats
Heading north up the ICW towards the Neuse River.
Dale, our next boat?
better days behind
Good Night
It’s going to be a long night at anchor. The wind is gusting 34 mph and waves are 2-3 feet.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
The origins of the Tar Heel nickname trace back to North Carolina’s prominence in the mid 18th and 19th centuries as a producer of turpentine, tar, pitch, and other materials from the state’s plentiful pine trees. “Tar Heel” was often applied to the poor white laborers who worked to produce tar, pitch, and turpentine.
The nickname was embraced by North Carolina soldiers during the Civil War and grew in popularity as a nickname for the state and its citizens following the war. It is also the nickname of the University of North Carolina athletic teams, students, alumni, and fans.
In its early years as a colony, North Carolina became an important source of the naval stores of tar, pitch, and turpentine, especially for the Royal Navy. Tar and pitch were largely used to paint the bottoms of wooden ships, both to seal the ships and to prevent shipworms from damaging the hulls. Tar was created by piling up pine logs and burning them until hot oil seeped out from a spout.
Drolleries and Yuks
Why are computers so smart? ~They listen to their mother boards.
20-APR-2021 Tuesday City Docks, Wilmington NC to Anchors Away Boat Yard, Hampstead NC (50.6 nautical miles 58.2 statute miles)
34°24’22.0″N 77°36’20.5″W 34.406121, -77.605680 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
Last night the Wilmington City Docks was free. We had originally planned to stay for three nights but on Sunday changed our mind to stay through Tuesday. I tried calling City Docks office off and on all day Sunday and Monday and couldn’t reach anyone to pay. A couple of other boats on the dock were having the same issue. As far as that goes, the other three nights might have been free too. My credit card still hasn’t been run.
Two prime blocks in the Wilmington waterfront are under restoration. It will be a whole new waterfront to see if we ever return.
heading out
Towing the line. On the Mississippi River and other central USA river you very rarely see line tows.
Dale at the helm made sure we didn’t repeat my error and accidently pass through Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU). MOTSU is one of the largest military terminals in the world. It serves as a transfer point between rail, trucks, and ships for the import and export of weapons, ammunition, explosives and military equipment for United States Army. This time there was a vessel in the harbor and minions were unloading it. It’s just the kind of ship that would send a anchor miles away, should it explode. There were two harbor patrol boats, one at each entrance and a fire boat standing by.
We’d have really been in trouble if we accidently passed in there today.
I’m guessing they recognized the signature of our boat from last Friday’s mishap. The fireboat left the restricted area as soon as it saw us and followed like a pit bull until we were past the southern entrance.
Running straight at our starboard. I’m sure they remembers us.
Reeves Point
Today it was Dale’s turn to have missed the turn. Our ICW was turn was about 5 miles back up river. We turned around and headed back. The pit bull was back on us ……
Escorted by the DoD.
We made out turn and were on on way again.
Carolina Beach Inlet
Dick Bay tidal flat
Hippie house. Every state has at least one.
nice dingy carrying
COOL! Largest AGLCA I’ve ever seen.
Hi Ho. Hi Ho. It’s off to work the go. The small helper tows each have a line tied to the barge so they can pull and push it to pass through the bends in the waterway.
The End
Wrightsville Inlet
Houses along the Atlantic
Top of the bimini double checking the Wrightsville bridge clearance.
Wrightsville low tide party place. Flag, palm tree and parking meter.
Jungle Run
Dredge with a little something for everyone. Zoom in to see the auger.
This is the most serious oyster farm I’ve seen!
Tonight’s dockage is the Anchors Away Boat Yard lift slip. Our props are being swapped out tomorrow.
As soon as this boat is splashed we are heading in.
slipped in
boatyard
Neighbors
We should be safe tonight.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
North Carolina produces more sweet potatoes than any other state in the nation.
Ponder this
Ants that help other ants should be called assist ants. To be politically correct, they should no longer be called helper ants.
17-19 APR 2021 Saturday-Monday NC to City Docks, Wilmington NC (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
34°14’21.5″N 77°57’06.8″W 34.239303, -77.951887 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
The Wilmington Marathon was on Saturday morning.
Not quite the New York Marathon
or the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco
Marathon Finisher!
picking up after the race
Around town
Barber poles at the barber school
Post Office built in 1937. It was an infrastructure investment project under the New Deal enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
New Hanover County Courthouse erected in 1892, St. James Episcopal Parish and First Presbyterian Church
There are a lot of churches in or near the historical downtown area of Wilmington.
St James Episcopal (1871)
Wilmington’s supposed to be haunted but I didn’t see anyone pushing up daisies here
Temple of Israel, built in 1876, is the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and one of the earliest Reform synagogues in the American South.
The First Baptist Church was built between 1860-1870.
The church is top of a hill and has a spire 197 feet high.
Kenan Plaza
First Presbyterian Church
The historic Latimer House is across the street from the First Presbyterian Church.
They were having a rummage sale so we stopped in.
Slave quarters
slave sink
reading material for sale
The flowers around the city were beautiful.
Historical Wilmington could be a town right out of a John Grisham book
Law office that a John Grisham character could be working at.
Getting around the city
Pedal power? Really???
Tattoo supplies
Truck load of pine needle mulch
My friend Sarah and her husband Grant drove over from Durham NC. It was a 2.5 hour drive for them. Thank you for driving so far to visit! I really enjoyed catching up with you.
Sarah and Mary
Grant, Sarah, Dale and Mary
One of the places we went to was the Barbary Coast bar. It’s a must see dive bar. The oldest bar in Wilmington. We loved it! Dale thought it was good enough to put on the ‘Best of the Best’ list. Awesome music – Grateful Dead and Rage Against the Machine.
Patrons are allowed to carve names in the rail.
Per Ryan, our bartender, Nicole’s boy friend worked on her name for ~2 weeks. When it was done she dumped him.
Ryan our bartender
The brown book on the bottom is largest permanently banned customer log in Wilmington NC. Our names are not in it, yet.
Dale had to go back.
There’s a first for everything. Wearing a mask, we just took a knife into the Barbary Coast bar with the intent of using it.
Fun Facts
Pepsi-Cola began in a drugstore in New Bern NC in 1898 at the hands of pharmacist Caleb Bradham, with the aim to create a fountain drink that was both delicious and helpful in aiding digestion and boosting energy.
With only a 3,600-square-foot building and $19,500 in capital at its beginning in 1926, the Mt. Olive Pickle Company in Mt. Olive NC has grown to become one of the most bestselling brands of pickles, peppers and relishes in the country.
The world-famous Krispy Kreme was founded by in Winston-Salem NC in 1937. He sold his first donuts for 25 cents a dozen after borrowing the ingredients from a nearby grocer.
No, Texas is not the birthplace of Texas Pete hot sauce – nor was it developed by a man named Pete. The spicy condiment was actually developed in the 1940s in Winston-Salem NC.
Veteran restaurant owners Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas founded the first Bojangles’ restaurant in Charlotte NC in 1977.
16-APR-2021 Friday Bald Head Island Maria, Cape Fear NC to City Docks, Wilmington NC (26.2 nautical miles 30.2 statute miles)
34°14’21.5″N 77°57’06.8″W 34.239303, -77.951887 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
We are off.
Two foot waves with a one second duration on our bow and starboard beam. Nuisance waves.
Entrance to Cape Fear River. Dredger heading out.
Shoals to the port side.
Once we were in the mouth of Cape Fear River the waves we were sucked up the river with the inbound tide, traveling 10.5 kts (12.1 mph) running 1500 rpms against the 19 mph wind.
The wave size increased to three feet with and occasional four, straight on with a one second duration. They were no longer nuisance waves. They were now annoying waves.
Thank goodness for isinglass. Waves were splashing over the top of the helm.
tow with tow
We continued to pick up speed to 10.8kts (12.4 mph).
And who is Cleopatra today?
bird fisherman
Wow. They really take marking shoals seriously!
Terminal of Excellence (does that mean end of Excellence?)
Dale took over the helm from me when the Harbor Police pulled up by us with their lights flashing. I had totally missed the warning signs for entering a Army security zone. The ‘shoal’ markings were really security boundaries.
The Harbor Police took possession of our drivers licenses and boat documentation.
WARNED We were escorted to the edge of the security zone where our drivers license and boat documentation were returned with a lecture on how to identify military security zone signs and written warning. We got by easy!!!! HAD THERE BEEN A VESSEL at the Terminal of Excellence we would have been in BIG trouble.
Leaving the Army security zone
I don’t know how I missed this at the other end!
We got a good look at the gun
I was driving but Dale got the ticket 🙁 He had just take over the helm to help out when Harbor Patrol pulled up.
The rest of the trip to Wilmington was uneventful.
Neighbors
WW II era battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55)
Cape Fear Community College vessel
Floccinaucinihilipilification
With the nickname of “The Port City,” Wilmington has a long history having been incorporated on February 20, 1739/40, and named for Spencer Compton, who was the 1st Earl of Wilmington. Its population in 2010 was 106,476, and it grew to an estimate in 2019 of 123,744. WOW.
15-APR-2021 Thursday Bald Head Island Marina, Cape Fear NC (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
33°52’37.0″N 77°59’59.8″W 33.876944, -77.999936 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
8:00am. Captain Cooper is here with his first run of the day.
There are three Looper boats here in the marina and all three Looper boats are coincidentally from Minnesota. We had met both of them when we were in Key West. Partnership Rachel and Brian and Not in a Hurry Amy and Bob. We decide to rent a 6-person golf cart and explore.
Bald Head Island
18?? That’s a random number. LOL all the rental golf carts have governors on them not to exceed that speed.
We are off, first heading to East Beach.
He’s going to the beach too.
East Beach
Funny sign given how many homes have been built on the ‘fragile dunes’
Frying Pan Shoals The Frying Pan Shoals are known for the high number of shipwrecks found in the region, and have been nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”.
Frying Pan Shoals
The point of Cape Fear
The point of Cape Fear
Old Baldy was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson and completed in 1817. It is North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse
The final stairway was a ladder
Rachel crawling up
The view from above was breath taking. Can you pick out yes dear... in the marina? (smack in the middle)
Old Baldy is just across the street from the Post Office.
Off to our next stop.
Where’s AAA when you need it?
Loved this!
South Beach. Out to look for shells.
layers of shells are are in the sand bank
South Beach The entrance to Fear River has problems with shoaling and requires regular maintenance. Currently there is unplanned, necessary dredging in this area.
dredging entrance to the Fear River
Oak Island Lighthouse
An amazing day.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Cape Fear’s name comes from the 1585 expedition of Sir Richard Grenville. Sailing to Roanoke Island, his ship became embayed behind the cape. Some of the crew were afraid they would wreck, giving rise to the name Cape Fear.
Bald Head Island is made up of about 12,000 acres of land. Of that 10,000 acres are pristine undeveloped land.
14-APR-2021 Wednesday Bald Head Island Marina, Cape Fear NC (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
33°52’37.0″N 77°59’59.8″W 33.876944, -77.999936 Elevation: sea level States (1): North Carolina
Along the Way
Today was a work day for Dale and I. yes dear… was pretty salty and needed a good wash down.
It’s too expensive for the workers to stay on the island. They either catch the ferry or arrive on small boats. The first ferry arrived at 7:30am. The small boats started arriving at 8:30am.
A few boats carry supplies as well as passengers
Detailing and bottom cleaning services arrived on a pontoon
bottom cleaning
A few homes were being spiffed up and painted
Personal cars or trucks are not allowed on BHI. Anyone needing to get around needs to walk, bike or use and electric vehicle. I was amazed at all the styles of electric vehicles. Below is a small example of styles you find on the island.
6 seater rentals. $115 @ day base $130 if you want the side covers
The noodle is used for a wind block
Joy riding
Work trucks
The big project for Bald Head Island Association today was putting in a new loading ramp.
Crane placing the ramp
lining the ramp up and screwing it down
ta dah!
For an island that doesn’t have cars there are a lot of work trucks.
At the end of the day there’s a mad scramble to either make the ferry or catch a boat. If you missed the ferry it is an hour wait for the next one. Boats started leaving around 4:00pm.
packing up
Homeward.
Often I’d see the workers tossing a beer while they waited for everyone to show up
A few enjoyed a cold beverage on the ride home
Captain Cooper picked up his final load for the day and headed home. He makes four round trips a day.
Dale and I were done cleaning too!
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Bald Head Island got its name from early river pilots’ reference to its “bald” headland that is devoid of vegetation. Pilots would look for this high dune headland on the island’s southwest point as a landmark leading to the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
13-APR-2021 Tuesday Little River Inlet, SC/NC State Line to Bald Head Island Marina, Cape Fear NC (34.0 nautical miles 39.1 statute miles)
33°52’37.0″N 77°59’59.8″W 33.876944, -77.999936 Elevation: sea level States (2): South Carolina, North Carolina
Along the Way
Happy Birthday Dale!
After anchoring on the South Carolina/North Carolina state line and going to bed in North Carolina, we woke up in South Carolina courtesy of the outgoing tide.
Little River Inlet
Birthday boy making breakfast
Casino boat is out and moving
We were off too
Ilse of dead boats
pretty little houses on the ICW with a nice view
geat view of the saltwater marsh and sand dunes
The ICW runs closer to the Atlantic here in North Carolina that is does in South Carolina and Georgia. The salt water marshes are not so vast.
houses on the Atlantic
On the ICW
affordable housing
3 crab trap lines
I’d rather be a dock builder in North Carolina than Florida
Pretty to look at but I couldn’t live in a bright green, pink or blue house. Not next door either.
A purple house!
nice roof
graveyard dock
nice balls
pink blooming trees
some work needs to be done at low tide
another purple house
Oak Island Lighthouse near Cape Fear
We’ve seen a lot of Trump flags traveling up the Eastern seaboard. North Carolina was no exception.
You almost never see a Biden flag, but we did see one.
Our plan was to stay at Southport Marina but they are still recovering from hurricane Isaias last August. According to marina management, dock reconstruction costs are being passed onto marina slip holders because their boats had caused the catastrophic damage by being tied up to the docks during the hurricane, rather than being removed before the Category 1 storm’s arrival. Some boat owners received bills from the marina for over $20,000 to pay for the dock damage.
Southport Marina hopes to open the end of this month.
Southport
Crossing the Cape Fear River to Bald Head Island
Oak Island Lighthouse
Bald Head Island
Cars are not allowed on Bald Head Island. Everyone drives an electric vehicle to get around.
Old Baldy
Bald Head Lighthouse, known as Old Baldy, is the oldest lighthouse still standing in North Carolina. It is the second of three lighthouses that have been built on Bald Head Island since the 19th century to help guide ships past the dangerous shoals at the mouth of the Cape Fear river.
The ferry from the island runs every hour from 7:30am until 11:30pm. yes dear… is rocked with each entry and exit.
We walked over to Jules’ Salty Grub & Island Pub. It’s the only place available to eat at on the island.
Jules’ Salty Grub & Island Pub
A pirate looks at 70
Good Night
yes dear… is in both of the pictures below:
Floccinaucinihilipilification
The three colors of the North Carolina flag red, white, and blue mostly represent the colors of the flag of the United States. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance & justice; red represents hardiness and valor; white represents purity and innocence. The white star between the “N” and the “C” represents North Carolina being one of the original thirteen colonies.
12-APR-2021 Monday Waccamaw River, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 to Little River Inlet, SC/NC State Line (51.6 nautical miles 59.4 statute miles)
33°51’14.2″N 78°32’39.6″W 33.853934, -78.544343 Elevation: sea level States (2): South Carolina, North Carolina
Along the Way
Pulling anchor
The ICW in this section is a river run. Fresh water. Notice the change in the trees.
Pawley’s Island Marina
playground pontoon
Heading up the Waccamaw River
There’s still some Spanish moss in the trees
This could be a Minnesota river
Waccamaw Marina
We are out of the mangroves, out of the salt water marshes and back into cypress swamps. The swampy/marshy areas are much smaller.
Down to 35 signs to the Cape Fear River
spring leaves
turtles
Socatee swing bridge. It’s been a while since we’ve seen one of these.
Bob the Builder’s Dream Land started shortly after the ICW cut from the Waccamaw towards Myrtle Beach. The west side the ICW is heavily developed mostly 3-story rectangular boxes of all sizes and a little something for everyone architectural styles. Miles and miles of buildings.
shake hands with your neighbors homes.
14 pink buildings in the front row. countless more in back
Myrtle Beach side (east side the ICW)
SkyWheel at Myrtle Beach
You’ve really made it if you place looks like an Italian villa. Palm trees and Italian Cypress
Back to the west side. The landscaping really cracks me up. Most of the yards are not visible from inside the homes due to the slop of the land. Palm trees are definitely a status symbol. Smaller homes to larger homes.
45 – Don’t Tread on Me
This guy spent more on landscaping than his house.
azaleas in bloom
Barefoot Marina
Lulu Buffets – we were going to stop but we were too big for the dock.
If you can’t see your yard, solar panels are great for landscaping. (So do rocks)
sections of waterway between housing developments
wild wisteria
bushes in bloom
nice landscaping
a purple house!
men at work
saltwater marsh housing
casino boats
Heading to Little River Inlet, our anchorage location for tonight
afternoon neighbors
We dinghyed in and walked the beach north to Sunset Beach NC
foot long moon(?) jellyfish
coquina shells
Sunset Beach
top of the stairs
Dogs must be on leashes
The walk back must have been 8 miles longer
The sand squeaked on the beach when we walked on it, similar to the way snow in really cold weather squeaks. I think it may have something to do with how it dried and crusted over. I’ve never heard sand squeak before.
Rounding the inlet and back to the boat
Myrtle Beach
We pulled The Mooch way up and the sand and set the anchor. Tide came up ~4 feet during our walk.
yes dear… and two neighbors
Laying it on the line. Tonight we are anchored exactly on the South Carolina/North Carolina state line. With the incoming tide we are going to sleep in North Carolina. We’ll be in South Carolina when we wake up tomorrow.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Myrtle Beach is (technically) an island. The completion of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1936 effectively made Myrtle Beach a coastal man-made island.
11-APR-2021 Sunday Fenwick Island, Ashepoo River, SC to Waccamaw River, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 (100.9 nautical miles 116.1 statute miles)
33°25’43.2″N 79°12’10.7″W 33.428653, -79.202958 Elevation: sea level States (1): South Carolina
Along the Way
154 signs to the Cape Fear River
I’m not sure what these guys are doing out here in the middle of nowhere. It looks like they built a long road to get here.
Elliot Cut is a fast flowing, narrow section of water. We cruised through here at 10.2 knots, picking up 4 knots upon entry into the cut.
If you’ve got palm trees in your yard you’ve won in the game of live
Heading towards Charleston
sunk
Sunday traffic
I can’t imagine the cost of putting in one of these long docks.
Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor
I’d never once thought growing up “Gee. I’d really like to pilot my yacht through Charleston Harbor.” But here I am doing it for the second time.
Obligatory Charleston pictures
Today was the final day of the 25th Edition of Charleston Race Week, one of the premier regattas on the East Coast. The harbor was teaming with sailboats.
Fort Sumter in the background
USS Yorktown CV-10 in the background
picking up a race marker
The Battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861
Fort Sumter
Charleston lighthouse on Sullivans Island
Sullivans Island at the north east corner of Charleston Harbor
Anywhere that’s buildable has been built upon – Tolers Cove
They’ve got themselves a life boat
Low tide
everyone has a long dock
Copahee Sound
Anywhere that’s buildable has been built upon
We were pursued buy gulls all day long. Small fish are churned up in our wake.
SC is notorious for skinny water with a 7 foot tide. We literal scrapped by at low tide in some places.
Francis Marion National Forest campground
islands in the marsh
Check these pictures out. The area around the boat has been dredged out so it can get our at low tide.
I think the ICW in South Carolina is the hardest stretch in the entire Loop. High tides, strong currents, inadequate channel marking and poorly maintained waterways. Lots of skinny water. White knuckle all the way.
deer hunting stand
Floating swing bridge
Good Night
Floccinaucinihilipilification
The flag of South Carolina consists of a blue field with a white palmetto tree and white crescent. Roots of this design have existed in some form since 1775, being based on one of the first Revolutionary War flags.
Asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety in the fall of 1775 to design a flag for the use of South Carolina troops, Col. William Moultrie chose a blue which matched the color of their uniforms and a crescent which reproduced the silver emblem worn on the front of their caps. The palmetto tree was added later to represent Moultrie’s heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan’s Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776.
Summerville, South Carolina is known as the birthplace of sweet tea.
South Carolina also claims to be the birthplace of barbecue, as Native Americans pit-cooked hogs centuries ago off the state’s coast.
South Carolina is the second largest producer of peaches in the United States, just behind California.
10-APR-2021 Saturday Isle of Hope Marina, Isle of Hope GA to Fenwick Island, Ashepoo River, SC (67.2 nautical miles 77.3 statute miles)
32°32’11.4″N 80°25’05.2″W 32.536492, -80.418099 Elevation: sea level States (2): Georgia, South Carolina
Along the Way
I had expected to see lots of beautiful antebellum homes as we traveled up the Skidaway River. There were some but not as many as I expected or as old as I thought they would be. We were still 7 miles away from downtown Savannah.
Skidaway River condos, docks and marinas
Crossing the Savannah River. Savannah is 6+ miles up river.
Just north of the Savannah River we crossed the state line into South Carolina.
Saturday … All the old farts are out on tours
and everyone else is too
Savannah Bridge 11 miles across the marsh
Sand dunes on Turtle Island
Dale has been coveting the joy stick controller technology on new boats. While we were on Isle of Hope Marina Dale moved the wiring for the autopilot. Now he can drive with the autopilot controller on his lap. It’s pretty much what the joy stick does.
The 2 foot following sea waves turning into 3 foot following swells as we crossed Calibouge Sound to Hilton Head Island. I was really glad we were going the direction we were. It would have been really rough had we been going any other direction. 15 mph wind gusting to 36 mph.
Calibouge Sound ferry to Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island
Harbor Town
‘Fraser’s Folly’ lighthouse
check out the partitions between the houses
Windmill Harbor Marina
north tip of Hilton Head
Hilton Head into Port Royal Sound
Port Royal Sound
Loons
Parris Island Marine training base
At St Helena I found myself looking for white cans instead of green. There were about 8 of them. The red nuns were relatively red due to their pointy tops.
OMG. This cruise ship popped around an island out of marsh canal just ahead of us. It takes too much water to run the section of the ICW we are on. It turned to follow deeper waters.
Sound after sound. The Eastern seaboard from Georgia north to into the Carolinas has many sounds. In a nutshell, they are sections ‘big water’ we need to cross.
Sound A sound is a large sea or ocean inlet, deeper than a bight and wider than a fjord; or a narrow sea or ocean channel between two bodies of land.. There is little consistency in the use of “sound” in English-language place names.
Bight A bight is a long, gradual bend or recess in the shoreline that forms a large, open bay.
Fjord A fjord is a long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland. Fjords are often set in a U-shaped valley with steep walls of rock on either side.
Bay A bay is a body of water partially surrounded by land.
09-APR-2021 Friday Isle of Hope Marina, Isle of Hope GA (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
31°58’50.2″N 81°03’21.0″W 31.980612, -81.055823 Elevation: sea level States (1): Georgia
Along the Way
We used the marina courtesy car and treated ourselves to breakfast.
… and I thought chicken and waffles for breakfast was weird.
We did a little local sight seeing as long as we had the car two hours. (Good thing we did. It rained the remainder of the day so we couldn’t bike around as we had planned.)
Entry to Wormsloe Plantation
Wormsloe was the colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775). He was a humble carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and the first group of settlers from England. The land which became the Wormslow Plantation was acquired 1736. The name “Wormsloe” came from Jones’ home township in England: Wormslow (Wormelow) Hundred in Herefordshire. (A ‘hundred’ is an administrative division that is geographically part of a larger region, like an acre or section)
Although most the Wormslow Plantation is now a Georgia Department of Resources historical site decedents of the original owners retain and still live in the antebellum home. In 1986 Craig Barrow III became the ninth generation and fourteenth owner of the 285-year old agricultural property.
cardinal
garden swing
Golf carts rule this city
Follow the upper right to the Isle of Hope Marina
Good Night
Floccinaucinihilipilification
The current flag of Georgia was adopted on May 8, 2003. The flag bears three stripes consisting of red-white-red, featuring a blue canton containing a ring of 13 white stars encompassing the state’s coat of arms in gold. In the coat of arms, the arch symbolizes the state’s constitution while the pillars represent the three branches of government. The words of the state motto, “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation”, are wrapped around the pillars, guarded by a male figure dressed in colonial attire from the American Revolutionary War.
Within the arms, a sword is drawn to represent the defense of the state’s constitution with an additional motto, In God We Trust, featured below these elements. The ring of stars that encompass the state’s coat of arms represents Georgia as one of the original Thirteen Colonies. The design principle is based on the First National Flag of the Confederacy, which was nicknamed the Stars and Bars. It is one of three U.S. state flags to feature the words “In God We Trust”. (Thx Wiki)
Today is our last day in Georgia. Tomorrow we will be in South Carolina.
08-APR-2021 Thursday Isle of Hope Marina, Isle of Hope GA (0 nautical miles 0 statute miles)
31°58’50.2″N 81°03’21.0″W 31.980612, -81.055823 Elevation: sea level States (1): Georgia
Along the Way
Watching this tow bow bend the dredge pipe tow around the Skidaway River bends has to be one of the more amazing things I’ve seen on the Loop so far. The dredge pipe tow was easily over a quarter mile long.
starting the bend
There were 3 helper boats working with the tow
We are living large today. We are not walking, biking scootering, or taking public transportation to our intended destination. Our Uber came to take us to Savannah ~ 8 miles. We had so go. I’ll assume the dredge made it through bend.
Starting with a couple of skull crushers at the Pirates House
Everyone ordering an alcoholic beverage in Savannah is ID’d. Savannah has open containers laws. You can get your drink to go. No valid ID or and expired ID = No drink.
Everyone in their life time at some point needs to go to Savannah. What happens in Savannah stays in Savannah. I took a few pictures but you need to go experience it yourself.
Layers of the waterfront. The’X’ support rods help hold the old buildings together.
Cotton Exchange
Dale just sits on the bench and charges $20 for a picture. I paid Dale $20, ran over and asked a passerby to take our picture. I’m glad the passerby didn’t run off with my camera once I sat down for the picture. Neither neither Dale or I could have run fast enough to catch him.
The bench commemorates the location where James Oglethorpe, founder of the Georgia colony, pitched his tent and rested at the close of the day when the Georgia colony was settled.
Historic steps to the waterfront
Use at your own risk.
I’m glad I didn’t wear my stiletto heels today
But of course we had to sample cookies at Byrd’s Famous Cookie Company. https://www.byrdcookiecompany.com/ They had about a dozen flavors. We sampled most of them 🙂
We bought 2 bags of cookies.
After 3:00pm the city looked like there was no such thing as COVID. Every tourist around was out on the town. Tour trolleys and tour boats were packed.
Watching the Georgia Queen prop walk in.
I needed to watch the tie off and check lines
layers of the city
If you want to catch COVID go in a candy store or stop at an ice cream store. The Savannah Candy Kitchen https://www.savannahcandy.com/ is the red awning expanding across the three buildings below. It was too crowded so we didn’t go in.
Leopold’s ice cream is a Savannah tradition. https://www.leopoldsicecream.com/ It had a line down the block. We didn’t stop here either.
Leopold’s line
Good Night
The undead are quite alive in Savannah. There must be over 2 dozen ghost tour companies. Many establishments and homes claim apparitions, ghosts and poltergeists. Then there’s the cemeteries ….
Savannah is one of America’s most haunted cities. It has carried dark secrets since its beginnings when it was built upon Native American burial grounds. Waves of tragic and violent events—bloody skirmishes, slavery, epidemics and hurricanes—have seemingly left an active population of the undead.
Supposedly ghosts are afraid to cross water. I’m good with life on a boat.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Stalemate in their war with the Americans in the north and concern over French attacks against British-held Caribbean islands caused the British to focus on securing American colonies in the south. The Siege of Savannah (September 23 to October 18, 1779) was a failed attempt by American and French forces to retake the port city from its British occupiers. The significance of the conflict was that it was the beginning of the British push in the South. The British won, and remained in control of Savannah, a city of economic importance.
Siege of Savannah was one of the costliest battles of the Revolutionary War in terms of casualties.
George Washington captured the below bronze cannons and gifted them to the Chatham Artillery after his visit to Savannah in 1791 (after the Revolutionary War ended). Of English and French make, they are excellent examples of the art of ordnance manufacture.
Washington’s Guns
French gun
Nauti Words
Prop Walk (Propeller Walk): Prop walk, the tendency of a turning propeller to push a boat’s stern sideways. Prop walk can be your biggest ally when docking or maneuvering in small spaces. Conversely, it can be a real problem it you don’t understand it. The direction of the prop walk is determined on whether you have a right hand prop or a left hand prop. yes dear … has two screws (i.e. two propellers). One prop is designed to turn clockwise and the other designed to turn counter clockwise. Props on some multi-screw boats turn the same direction.
Drolleries and Yuks
What do ghosts serve for dessert? ~ I Scream.
Why are Ghosts banned from Liquor Stores? ~Because they always steal the Boos!
Why are ghosts such bad liars? ~You can see right through them.
What do you call the ghost of a chicken? ~A poultry-geist.
