Happy Halloween from Station Creek (near Hilton Head)

We got up early this a.m. (not easy when we have been used to sleeping until 8) and pulled anchor at 0700 to depart Charleston Harbor with Island Khaya.  We knew it would be a long day of about 65 nm putting us at an anchorage near Hilton Head or Beaufort.  It was also going to be a long day because none of us slept well after 4 am when the waves and wind really seemed to pick up out where we anchored.

Sunrise heading out of Charleston Harbor

Farewell Charleston, we hope to see you in the Spring

We knew that the wave report was wrong as soon as we got towards the end of the Charleston Breaker Wall...supposed to be 1-2 feet, well they were not.  Huge rollers, huge.  I have photos and video but no way does it tell the story.  The good thing this time was that the wind and waves were in OUR favor so we were doing some surfing allowing the waves to push us along!  Sea sickness at various degrees ensued, Dramamine was enjoyed by all.

Example of waves that are NOT 1-2 Feet

Again, not 1-2 feet

It does not translate but I also took some video...turn down the sound because the wind noise is loud.  We made good time and speed thanks to having our head sail out and those helpful pushy waves.

Things continued like this for the day...so basically upwards of 9 hours.  Naps were also had by all, in fact, I had two of them while 'convalescing' while Mark and Jon did all the work (they also admitted to two naps each as well).  Except today I did not feel as guilty about it, sorry guys.  Don't I look pathetic?! Such a drama princess...and my knee is much much better.  As of tonight, it even looks like a knee again.

Poor little girl...not really, basically being lazy.

We did lose the wind later in the day but made it to Port Royal Sound which was the farther goal point we wanted to make.  We did not get over to Skull Creek on the Hilton Head side but Station Creek was a lot better than Beaufort.  Plus I have the comfort of knowing that Parris Island is literally across the way.  We got into the creek, very quiet but an active current.  Anchoring tonight in a good place is important because in the wee hours of the morning, the winds are going to pick up significantly...quite so to the degree of 20 knots then increasing and gusting to and above 35-40.  A little thing we in the business like to call a Gail Warning that is in effect for the next 24+ hours.  Hurray, fun times!

Sign says something like, "Not Navigable", it's at the entrance to our anchorage

But for now, we are here and it is so peaceful and we had a glorious sunset that seemed to go on and on and on.  If I can sneak outside without getting attacked by vampire gnats, the stars from here are reportedly mind blowing! 

So Happy Halloween...and for those of you out there, and you know who you are, who celebrate it, Happy Samhaim. XO Suzanne

Please see below tonight's Captain's message as well:

Hello,
We did a 10 hour ocean cruise today and now we are anchored in Station Creek just north of Hilton Head.  The new thing we saw today was stingrays jumping out of the water and flying a bit before belly slapping back into the ocean.  Odd sight seeing a a ray fly through the air.  Suzanne is doing better and the knee swelling has gone down.  She stayed off it most all day (captain's orders). We are bracing for strong winds to hit here around 4am.  We are in a good anchorage so we feel pretty good about it.  The hope is to head out in the morning and do a short 25 mile day because of the winds.
have a good night!
we are anchored at:
32N 16.783
80W 37.716
m-

Oh Charleston, we barely knew ye...

What's that noise...wait is that a...it is!

Afters she pivoted so quietly

And there she nestled into her terminal spot...what a performance

This morning started with a weird sound that woke me up...jumpin' jephosophat, is that a cruse ship?! Why yes it was...a cruise ship (huge one) was literally pivoting in place right out side the entrance to our marina.  Oh.My.Gaaa it was mesmerizing and the lady on the boat behind us said, "best show in the house" and all I could say was, "heck yeah!".  As I had noted on our FB page, I was amazed at how graceful such a behemoth could be.  And it was lit up and you could see the passengers outside and so many of them were taking pictures, it was super cool.

Shortly thereafter the boat awoke and we started our last day in Charleston.  Mark and Jon had appointments with the now much maligned Apple Store and I wanted to get in one last jog because we would be leaving the dock around 1500 to anchor out in preparation for our pre-sunrise departure.  Many mini-cinnamon roles where consumed as part of the apparent carb-centric diet of Stray Cat.

So off I went on my run, leaving the fellas to do all the boat chores...karma point one...like filling the water tanks and prepping the boat.  I was having a grand time, listening to my new favorite running song, Headphones by Matt Nathanson, and being cocky about running in Charleston....karma point two...and dodging the cruise folks while saying good morning to the locals like I knew somebody...karma point three.  So not to belabor the story but about 2 3/4 miles in on a crowded street in front of many people, I fell down...near face plant, save for my left knee which took the brunt of it.  I'll spare you the photos but, um, ew, it was a lump, then a sorta big lump. Then I hit it head on while putting away beer after our super successful provisioning run to Harris Teeter...as I have said, that is a true story...I hit my swollen knee against the boat putting away beer. Then things got bad and I was told/had to sit down.  Then the Captain yelled at me because I was trying to push us off the dock...perhaps in some circles that was dumb but that is not the point.  The point is that I was yelled at by the Captain.  I will now pause for the collective sympathetic "Awwwwwwwwww".  (I have no shame, I admit it.)

Anyway then I had to sit out the rest of leaving the dock and dieseling up and pump out and anchoring over by Island Khaya out closer to the Harbor entrance.  It was horrible to be sidelined but shockingly, everything went extremely (like really really super extremely) well without me.  That is so crazy!

Oh and the boys' visit to the Apple Store...Jon win, Mark loss.  For a boat that is carrying about six Apple products, we are all pretty much over Apple...but we do not blame the Geniuses, we blame the Collective.  Samsung Note 3, here I come!!  Mark's Apple is now in a technology induced coma but he's got his trusty Microsoft product to see him through. 

Oh so anyway, out from Cooper Creek we went and into Ashley where we got to the anchor spot and Mark and Jon rocked it like nobody's business...and it was rough.  Then everyone rested before our dinner date with Island Khaya.  While preparing to drop the dinghy, a gentleman came by in his bost and just wanted to say hello and ask about us...seems he used to be a cruiser but has since retired to a house along the shore where we anchored.  He chatted with the guys for a while about the Bahamas and such...how very friendly and hospitable!!

Island Khaya

Wire spool, just floating by...ummmm really?

The New and the Old, this was a site for sure

 We had a lovely lovely evening with them...Riaan made pork chops and we spent quite a few hours enjoying their company, stories and hospitality.  Again, plans were discussed, details finalized, sorta considering that the water and wind are now our directors.

Well hello there pretty girl

Stray Cat does love a beautiful sunset!

We will be leaving at 0700 tomorrow back out into the Atlantic Southwest bound for Helena or Port Royal inlet...we are looking to be either outside of Beaufort or perhaps Hilton Head.  We are praying for positive weather, wind and waves to get us there in short order and without the drama of our last visit with the Atlantic.  We need to find a good anchorage or marina tomorrow night in anticipation of 30+ knot winds coming into Saturday.  Happy Halloween indeed!

We'll let you know how we are getting along but as I always say, "I'm sure everything will be fine".  XO Suzanne

Charleston Today...can't remember what day it is

Up early for once since Sunday when the boat started rocking like a van on prom night...it was a freighter that had just passed our marina and I'm so glad I got to see it.  Quiet, Huge...talks softly and carries a big stick.  And it also gave me the opportunity to get you another sunrise photo so you don't go into sunrise photo withdraw.

This morning's alarm clock

I then rallied Mark and Jon to go for a jog...I don't know that they fully understood what I had in mind but somewhere along the line (around mile 2), I lost them.  I had an awesome 4.25 mile run that took me along the Battery waterfront and had it not been for my knee (aka, I'm old and got tired) I could have made it back to the boat.  Gotta work off beer, pizza, wings and BBQ somehow.  Mark and Jon managed to beat me back to the boat.  It's almost as if they didn't run as far as me, crazy huh?

I have a feeling they are not having fun

Part of my run

Very nice run view

The good news was that the UPS guy was delivering our part when Mark happened to be at the office...well before noon.  We couldn't find anyone local but got the part from Annapolis in less than 24 hours.  I'll give a shout out to Bayshore Marine for that one!  They came through!  So the guys got to work on the engine and I could not even being to tell you what I did.  Seriously, I have no idea.  Oh wait, I just realized that I worked for a while while they fixed the engine...wow, how quickly we forget.

Within record time they had the part in and the engine up and running.  Pretty awesome job fellas!  For a fun summary of that project, please take a look at Mark's Captain's Log entry!  He's good at downplaying things but the work they did was a really big deal and anyone else would have had to pay out the nose to have it done unless they happened to be aircraft engine mechanics or engineers or building their own airplane or "diesel engine whisperers".  Score one for the gearheads!!

Then we had a nice visit with Island Kaiya, Riaan and Brenda.  What a treat.  Discussions were had, plans were made, decisions finalized.  We are heading out Friday a.m. from Charleston Harbor to one of two options into the area around Beaufort, SC (aka Parris Island for all you USMC folks).  I am very happy to get my wish of one more day here.  When we do leave, it will be a one day (emphasis on the 'day') trip out and we'll need to find a good strong anchorage by sunset Friday because 20-25+ knot winds are predicted to make there way in overnight and all day Saturday.  Again for parents reading this, there is no freakin' way in hell I am going out on the ocean in that type of wind on Saturday or any other day...nor will I allow your sons to do it either.  I'm pretty cool, I like to think, but I promise I will go "full on Manassas" if that is even mentioned ;-)

After that nice visit, Mark connected with Pamalynn who are heading out tomorrow a.m. for a long trip from here to Brunswick, FL.  We are going to be sending them our best for a good trip and for fair winds because it will be about 30 hours out for them.  I miss them and do hope very much we see them again soon.  They were so kind to take us under their wing!  Thank you again, Ed and Pam. XO

Of course, no day for us would be complete without bad eating choices...so off we went in search of Nick's BBQ.  How do you say?   YUMMMMMM!  Then we popped to the Apple Store where I played with the new 6+ while Mark and Jon were forced to assimilate and make an appointment to meet with an Apple Genius so they can get new batteries.  When I heard this I was all, "WHAT?!".  There was other commentary but I don't want to offend any one more than I already have with my post comments.  So then we walked back to the market, complaining about Apple the entire way of course.  I picked up some sawgrass tiny baskets (tiny because they charge way too much for them and I didn't have $500 on me at the time) and met them at Henry's on the roof for a beer.  I walked in and looked around the bar when an older fella asked, "Are you meeting an internet date here?"  Me, "Ha ha, no...well lemme see if my boyfriend is upstairs."  Him:  Hardy laugh.  Oh I am just the funniest.

Cool Station

Cute

Nick's BBQ - Yum!

Does anyone know what they are doing with this facade?

Then we returned to the boat and immediately got out our Apple computers and proceeded to tappy tap tap tappity tap not speaking for the next two hours LOL.  Mark keeps threatening to have us lay all of our devices out for a shaming photo...not sure the table is big enough for:  Three Apple laptops, one Surface Pro, one Dell Laptop, two iPhones, one iPod Touch, one vintage iPod, one Kindle, one MIFI hotspot, and one Palm Pixi.  Zoinks!!

We need help, I mean seriously.

Tomorrow we will enjoy this fine city for the last time (for now) including a big trip to Harris Teeter for provisions.  Then we will leave our marina in the early afternoon, get dieseled up, get water topped off and meet Island Kaiya at a staging anchorage so we can head out early in the morning on Friday.  Did I mention I want to live here...I just need $1.8M please (found a nice 4 bedroom 3.5 bath house with roof top terrace).  XO Suzanne

It's going to be hard to say goodbye!

Captain's Log Supplemental: Oct 29, 2014

As you may know the starboard engine rear main seal let go sometime during the night on a passage from Cape Fear to Charleston.

The Bad Part locator map is shown below (you are looking at a 2 cylinder Diesel engine block):

The repair process (an instructional)

Step 1:  Take a house/history tour of Battery Park and eat pizza.

This is a very important step (do not skip).  It allows you to understand the culture and values of the locals and it provides insight on the best way to get a semi-hard-to-find engine part.

Step 2:  Make contact with the locals.

Now that you feel a little more comfortable communicating with locals (in this case Southerners) reach out to the local diesel engine shops.  Call and leave a message.  Leave another message. Leave another message.  Call another place. Leave another message. Patiently wait.


Step 3:  Call your home town engine shop and they ship the part out overnight. Done.


Step 4: Open the engine and remove the bad part.

Bad Part

Step 4:  Receive part, replace part, reassemble the engine and have the oil topped off by a Master Mechanic (thats Jon.  I'm sitting on my butt taking pictures).

Step 5:  Return to town for BBQ and an IPA(beer) and wonder what the hell went wrong with Steps 1 and 2.

-mark

Let's Get Bloggy...Guest Post by Mr. Gary Stollar

Chicken-n-Waffles, sunglasses, hot sauce, and more - a day in Charleston with Mark, Jon, and Suzanne. While we all did our own thing in the morning (laundry, running, coffee), by lunchtime we were a foursome that took on Charleston. But first...lunch. 3 salads, a fruit bowl, and a waffle & fried chicken sandwich. Yep...fried chicken between 2 waffles with butter, syrup, and a side of potato chips. I'm not going to tell anyone that Mark ordered the chicken-n-waffles. That wouldn't be right. And I'm certainly not going to divulge how quickly he ate it. Anyway, I hear it was good...very good. From lunch, we headed by car to Sullivan's Island to visit the beach (and to retrieve Jon's sunglasses from the BBQ joint from the previous evening). Jon's quest was successful so we enjoyed coffee and pastries outside in celebration. We all wore our sunglasses. 

The short stroll to the beach and the beach itself were fantastic. Coastal Carolina is like no where else - marsh, sweetgrass, egrets, palmetto trees, rivers, and wide beaches. Truly a beautiful and unique part of the country. We strolled, talked, and took it all in (and Suzanne even squeezed in a brief work call...nice office!).

Next, we headed back to the city through marshland and over the bridges. Once back, we did a driving tour of the historic quarter (the Battery, Rainbow Row, Harleston, etc.). Along Rainbow Row we saw a movie filming in progress - Major motion picture? History Channel piece? Or Mark's favorite guess...a Discovery Channel expose on Haunted Houses? This mystery may go unsolved as we didn't stop to ask. While I obnoxiously shouted out actor's names (Sandra Bullock, Rozanne Barr, Brad Pitt, and so on), I saw not one. After this, we took a walk along Market St. and stopped in most sweets shops and one hot sauce shop. Purchases were made at each (boat provisions, right?) so we needed to celebrate with IPA's, Porter Ale, and mojitos. It's not what you think! We didn't each drink these things...Mark and I had an IPA each, Jon the Porter (which could be a band name), and Suzanne the mojito. Being north of 40 years old, that was as crazy as we could get. From there, a trip to Harris Teeter to reprovision (some staples to go with those sweets) and then back to the boat where we enjoyed a nightcap and some of Mark's newly-purchased hot sauce (Blair's Death Sauce). Muerte! It was hot! 

I was home by 10:00pm so the Stray Cat Crew could rest up for a day of engine repairs and an historic home tour. Did I mention that Jon and Mark stole moments here and there to search online for engine parts and make calls to parts stores? Wouldn't be a successful boat (or Jeep) trip without necessary repairs. While they were unsuccessful in securing said parts, all were optimistic for what Tuesday would bring. An engineer and a mechanic...what could go wrong? 

It was very much my pleasure and such an unexpected treat to spend a day (and dinner the night before) with the Stray Cat Crew! Better quality people you will not meet. So happy that they get to partake of this odyssey. Best of good luck as you sail south, and make sure to take time to smell the roses (seaweed?) along the way. 

Gary

Oh! I'd be remiss if I omitted the fact that part of the uniform of young women in Charleston seems to be black tights (as pants). And most appear to be in good shape. Had Suzanne not pointed this out, we guys would never have noticed. Thanks Suzanne.  ;)

 

Editors notes:  The movie is "South of Hell" starring...nobody knows.  And regarding the young ladies of the city and their choice of clothing, you may be shocked to learn that the boys had no problem noticing all on their own.  It was awesome to spend the day with Gary and the only regret was that Kim could not be with us. We <3 Kim and Gary.

Remember that time we vacationed in Charleston...

We woke up to fog this am and everything outside was completely soaked.  But then by 9am the sun was coming out and the winds from the shore were blowing the fog away.

Calls to attempt to find the elusive engine seal continued...the starboard engine was disconnected and prepped for the repairs as soon as we could find the parts.  I really hope Mark will do a write up on this for me because I really do not get it.  All I know is after two days of calls, at around 2pm Mark ended up calling a place up in Annapolis and they are shipping the parts to us via UPS to the marina office. Seriously?  Yeah we are getting parts from home shipped because no one local had them or could get them to us faster.  Crazy.  We also let the office know that we will be staying two more nights at least.  I suppose if you are going to be stuck someplace, Charleston in the Fall is an amazing place to be.

I got one last item in the washer at the laundry and am learning the fine art of sharing a washer and dryer.  Using strange washers and dryers is not my thing.  And by strange I mean, not mine or that of a family member or friend.  Also some nice lady put my blanket in the dryer for me while I was jogging. 

Today we had a special tour of Charleston with Mrs. Brown (our dear Chris's mom) who also happens to have a B&B in the Battery, Lavender and Lace.  She took us to a fab little place for lunch, Fast and French, then spoiled us with a private tour of the Battery area homes.  All I can say is that the beauty, history, uniqueness and charm was overwhelming! Here are some more shots from today on our tour.  Simply gorgeous city...

Lovely lunch at this cute spot, where locals eat.

Classic Charleston style home

Recently fully restored, across from Battery Park

Note the bricks are now visible under the plaster

I want Mark to buy this house for me

This is now someone's private home, so cool

Love the dragons along the roofline

And the grand porch light

And those fabulous windows going up the stairs

He could buy this one for me too and that'd be good

Grand entrance anyone?

http://www.lavenderandlacebb.com/

http://www.lavenderandlacebb.com/

After our amazing tour we walked through the Market...I'll have to give it another shot because it almost seemed like maybe a cruise ship may have been in town?  If you know what I mean.  Anyway, $500 for a sawgrass basket is way out of my budget comfort zone.  We went to a pizza place right on East Bay and had a great Sicilian and a couple of beers...and a cannoli.  Walking back to the boat we were pretty whipped but as soon as we got here, Mark hopped right in the engine bay and got to work on what he could do in preparations for tomorrow's delivery. Then Jon jumped in on the action too.

First Theater

I love graveyards, love them. And this stone was stunning.

Glamorous boating life.

Ready to be fixed up...this engine deserves the attention after all she's done for us so far.

We are thinking that we may see Island Kaiya tonight based on their schedule and availability or probably more like how far they get on the engine work they can do without the parts.  We missed seeing Pamalynn today but may be able to connect with them tomorrow.   I would love to see them both but our repairs have now taking over as first priority.  We love it here but we cannot stay forever after all.  Well not until we get our winter home here.  haha

And just in case you missed my over-posting of sunsets, here's a parting shot for you!  XO Suzanne

PS, Here is an awesome shot of the three of us yesterday at Sullivan's Island Beach, courtesy of the artist, Gary.  Thanks Gary and I'm looking forward to your 'guest post' on the blog ;-)

The Three Caballeros