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