Our last week in Charleston was fabulous, but very busy! We had a ‘Seafood Thanksgiving’ family dinner (Keith and I did eat turkey and stuffing the day before), attended Maggie’s 4th birthday party, had Matt & Beth spend the night on the boat with us, while dropping off our newest crew member, Anna!
Thank goodness the weather allowed our Thanksgiving celebration to be held on the upper deck. We gave thanks for the bounty of the sea with grilled lobster tail from Maine, steamed shrimp from South Carolina, Maryland style crab soup (but the crab meat was from North Carolina). To offset those high cholesterol entrees we added a salad and potato mash, with key lime pie for dessert. In honor of the cruising lifestyle, we have decided to make this our new tradition. I can’t wait until we celebrate Thanksgiving in the Caribbean where I will need to add a conch recipe!
During those few days of nice weather, we were also able to get in the kayak trip I had been promising the girls, thank goodness!! I was very worried we would have to leave with that promise unfulfilled. This picture might have you feeling a little sorry for Nicole, but don’t worry...
Keith and Joey were providing support in the Whaler, as it was actually a very windy day, and their help was greatly appreciated!
We made it to a sandbar that was exposed during low tide, but was covered by 6-7 feet of water at high tide. It was very exciting to conquer the sandbar we had watched come and go for so long.
Walking on the ‘quicksand’ of the newly exposed sand was sooo fun!!
The sandbar was cut by many rivulets that carried tidal water across the surface. This gave us the perfect opportunity to have shell boat races!
Sadly, this was our last adventure with Lucy and Maggie (who were very sad to see us go) as it was time to continue our trip south. Next stop Fernandina Beach, Florida. Before we left, Anna (grand daughter #4) joined us for this next leg of the trip. We didn’t have an opportunity to have all three girls on the boat at the same time, but we did take all three to the new Frozen movie before heading out.
It was a cold and windy day so we started our trip steering from the pilot house. Anna was eager to help at the helm.
Even though it was very windy, the best way to experience going under a bridge is from the flybridge. Anna was a little concerned, “Grandmom, I hope we make it under there!’ We did, then we quickly returned to the warmth of the pilot house.
A flock of birds resting along the way.
Luckily, the dolphins did not disappoint! They swam with us several times a day, and Anna was always up for a quick run to the bow to watch them.
Didn’t we just see that shrimp boat a few miles back?
Three days into this trip and it is still very cold and windy. Grandmom is running low on creative entertainment for a 3 year old, but wait... a sheet thrown over the pilot house table makes a perfect fort. Throw in a few kitchen items and we have a top secret cupcake facility worth hours of happy play! Of course Pop and I had to eat a LOT of cupcakes!!
Upon entering Saint Simons Sound, on our way to Brunswick, GA, we passed the cargo ship that capsized in September. If you look closely you can see 3 people, in the bucket at the end of the crane cable, being lowered into the ship. Divers are currently working inside the ship to remove oil and other hazardous materials.
This ship was carrying 4,200 new cars when it capsized. It is estimated that the removal of the ship could take a year to accomplish. Large loads of rocks have been placed around the ship to stabilize it from sinking into the sand during strong tidal flows.
The marsh is still beautiful, ever when viewed from through pilot house windows.
Keith’s patience is paying off in the photo department!
Finally, on the fifth and final day of our trip we were able to spend time outside!! The wind died down and the temperature made it to a balmy 73. We were able to have lunch on the bow with the dolphins. Anna names each of the dolphins.
Everyone needs a little hammock time. We were relaxing in our hammock when we crossed the state line into Florida. Between the weather and the dolphins, it was a great ‘Welcome to Florida’ feeling!
I love seeing the oyster bars at low tide.
Anchored in Fernandina Beach and hanging out with Pop on the bridge.
May you all have a beautiful sunset in the near future!
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