A Great Day in Charleston

Good Morning Dolphin who seems to live in the Cooper River near the dock.

Everyone got some desperately needed sleep last night.  I overslept which foiled my plan to be at the laundry facility right when they unlocked it...it gets taken over quickly by people who have been out on the water for a long time and have to wash every piece of fabric on their boats at one time thus taking all of the machines.  I got into an empty machine and at least got the washing done...after being pissy and grumpy about it, a dryer opened up and that chore was done.  Boating is weird because one day you are watching dolphins then fighting wind off the coast then whining about limited laundry then trying to find parts for engine repairs...

Mark and Jon checked our engines and the port engine looked just fine (it's the one we have been running slightly easier because of some oil burning off it.  Mark was not so lucky on his side, the starboard side, that we had been favoring to compensate for the port side.  Whew, ok anyway, not good.  Oil in the bilge.  

NOT what you want to see in your bilge = repairs delays and money

So they both went into mechanic mode and started researching this and that about the engine that I understand to a degree...likely cracked rear seal or something to that effect.  It's not something you want to happen to your engine.  I'm sure one of them will go into more detail.  Mark made a call, Jon made a call, no one called back. The calls to diesel shops will start again tomorrow along with the oil clean up.  We won't be leaving Charleston on Wednesday morning after all--on the one hand, if you have to be stuck someplace for repairs, this is a great place to be but on the other, you don't want to be stuck anywhere due to repairs. It's pretty frustrating when no one calls you back.

We got in touch with Pamalynn as they were nearing the Harbor from their own overnight out in the ocean.  We were very sorry to hear that their winds and experience was even worse than ours.  The had high winds on the nose from almost the moment they left the inlet until this morning.  They had done a lot of wind forecast research and even asked an expert...everything was the opposite of what they were told.  We knew how they felt but we only had to endure it for 12 hours while they had it nearly 24...they are here now safely anchored and we hope to catch up with them.  Hopefully they got some good rest and can treat themselves to some enjoyment here for a day or two.  Island Kaiya is doing well and they will likely head out again for their next destination on Wednesday so we also hope to catch up with them but know that we will see them in Florida at some point.  Just very relieved to know both of our buddies are safe and sound.

Jon went on an expedition to find a coffee shop recommended called Saffron. And Mark and I went for a jog and it was awesome and exactly what I had wanted it to be--running through the classic yet unique streets of Downtown Charleston.  We had an unbelievable pace (literally, I did not believe it but my pedometer app wouldn't lie to me I'm sure) and ended up getting in 3.25 miles.  Jon had good things to report about Saffron as well, so win win.

We met up with our friend Gary at a cute place for lunch.  Kitchen 208 had great food, including fried chicken waffle sandwich that I give two thumbs up.  We headed back over to Sullivan's Island where we had coffee and sweet snack at a place called Cafe Medley which serves coffee, pastry, ice cream and wine, excellent.  Gary took us down to the Sullivan's Island beach for a stroll because, well, how do you not at least go look at a beach that is one block from where you are enjoying blondie brownie and chocolate croissant? Super super cute and fun little community.  

Micro crab at the beach, he was the size of a quarter

Homes sandwiched between a huge beach area and a street of cute eateries and shops...must be nice!

The lighthouse we watched for six hours when we were coming down the coast.

Returning to Charleston we took the long way back around the Battery and saw a lot of activity that we assumed (or decided) was a film set.  Didn't see anyone famous but that was kind of cool.  Then we hit Southend Brewery for evening drinks.  We planned to walk through the Market but it was closed down so we went into two candy shops and a shop that sells every kind of hot sauce know to man. We kidnapped Gary and headed back to the boat for a nightcap of beer, whiskey, fudge, pralines and hot sauce. Don't be too intimidated by our culinary superiority ;-)

Statue outside of Gary and Kim's hotel

Tomorrow we will be treated to a visit with our good friend's mom who has a B&B on the Battery...not to get too excited but I'm hoping for a locals tour of some of the streets and sites along with lunch.  Unfortunately, tomorrow is also a day to really focus on the engine repair and that will take Mark's time and attention away from an enjoyable 'vacation' day in Charleston to the serious business of parts procurement and engine repair.  Jon's knowledge and expertise with engines will be a real asset tomorrow.

I really really really really like Charleston...it's now at the top of the 'move there' list.  Thanks for sharing the day with us. XO Suzanne