April 17 - 27 Clay's Log

St. Augustine - we passed north of the Bridge of Lions, 2 days before a 4 day closure - a new bridge is almost done, the B.O.L. will be torn down & rebuilt by 2010; the new "temporary" bridge will then be torn down completely when the "new -old Bridge of Lions" reopens. Must be a government project.

4-18 Arrived in Fernandina Beach and fueled, stayed at the town marina. Gene & Rose leave us at this point, going to miss them. Had a tour of town - old, in great shape, vibrant.

4-19 We cross border to Georgia and head through salt marshes. The beauty of a healthy salt marsh that has been there from the dawn of man is something to behold. Some call it a swamp! Made good time til late afternoon when an approaching thunderstorm changed our plans - ducked into a creek and anchored just as the heavens washed our boat and nature lit up the evening sky - safe & dry - spent quiet night. Got up about 3:00 am to hear dolphins swimming and snorting in the black of the night. I could follow their progress from the sounds of their breathing, quite a thrill; we forget how much background noise we live with.

4-20 Day break found us underway, came in to Thunderbolt GA - anchored for the evening. Plan to take a dock in the a.m. and go in to Savanah.

4-21 Thunderbolt Marina - arrived early and headed for the bus stop. Took the bus to Savanah. Took a quick tour, walked the waterfront and market place. Public transportation is well used, hadn't been on a bus in years, we hunted for a cell phone store, ours gave up the ghost, found one 12 miles outside of town in a mall, great stores if you have a car - so much for social commensary. Bussed back to boat.

4-22 Day break found us underway, made good time. Counted at least 27 dolphins. Must be mating season - they seemed really frisky. Anchored in 8 ft of water, unsure of tides - checked depth before going to bed 3.4 ft (we only need 18 inch) - hoped it would rise before day light...

4-23 Day break - depth is back to 8 ft - on our way. Arrived in Charleston. Anchored in bay next to the city marina. In morning will dingy in and meet up with the Don & Jackie Michael.

4-24 Spent the day with the Michael's. They are great hosts. I know them from Milford Yacht Club in CT. With them we saw Charleston, went shopping and best of all, we went to see and talk to the people building the schooner Charleston. This is a several year project; the volunteers at Historic Spanish Point & Gulf Coast Heritage Museum, eat your hearts out.

4-25 & 26 We spent a long day with very low tides - narrow channels. Had to wait for Sunset Beach pontoon bridge - very low water, this bridge becomes a road. Many boats had passed us much earlier were there waiting for the bridge to open. The weather is cool with rain, stormy tonight.

4-27 Underway at first light. Cape Fear river with current in our favor, actually hit 10.1 knots for a short period - light winds, flat water - great ride RAIN. 10:00 a.m. pulled in to Wrightsville Beach to marina. Met Bill Puterbaugh - took us on tour of Wilmington and had lunch - great visit. Will enjoy quiet afternoon - back on the water tomorrow to Morehead City area.