Friday, October 31, 2014

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-


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