Halifax River Yacht Club Tuesday 10th

A lovely warm FL morning. After a perfect breakfast of bacon, mushrooms, eggs and avocado toast Nana and Nandad head for Halifax River Yacht Club.

Cruising was slow due to the multiple homes along the way and being respectful of fishing vessels, kayaking, construction at some of the docks and passing lots of other cruisers. Nana took the helm again today for about two hours and is gaining confidence slowly! A perfect picture of a beautiful snowy egret was missed while he stood right in the middle of a small shoal with the marshes all around - best not get distracted while on the wheel! While cruising passing under multiple bridges , with the roof open , was really pretty cool. NH arrived ay HRYC at 2.15 pm in perfect time for lunch at the bar.

The club just has its parade of lights which means the boats are all dressed up for Christmas and look stunning. This particular sailboat was very creative.

Of course laundry was necessary so while waiting Nana took a wonderful walk and came across this sign right outside the laundry room. Which way to go!

Now we often wonder what really attract us to boating so while walking back to NH after a wonderful shower Nana caught a glimpse of the moon. Pretty sweet. Now don’t get confuse - that boat is not NH.

Tomorrow Nana returns to MA to get ready for Christmas and Nandad continues until the 18th. Hopefully NH will be in Sarasota in her new slip. Merry Christmas to all and blog will begin again in the New Year.

 

Nana and Nandad arrive at St Augustine

Monday 9th of December NH leaves Jekyll Harbor heading for St Augustine FL. Now most of you would know that the best way to get over something is to “ take the bull by the horns” so Nana took “the boat by the helm” . This morning Nana took NH off the dock to get her on the way. Despite being nervous Nana kept the helm for at least two hours. Little Cumberland Island, Cumberland Dividings, Cumberland Sound and Amelia River are just beautiful areas filled with nature at its best. A pack of beautiful white pelican were spotted at Kingsley Creek. 

After reaching Fernandina Beach we officially log our arrival in FL. We opened the sliding roof and had a wonderful cruise along the 8 mile section of Palm ValleyLdg. Arrived in St Augustine at 4pm for a beautiful sunset among the sparkling lights.

Nana catching up with life while relaxing on the cockpit. Take note of the pirate ships on our stern. The next picture is St Augustine’s Ginger Bread House. Trolleys are touring town, horse drawn carriages are taking tourists for rides and boats are all decorated for the holidays. A very fun athmosphere. 

NH is docked at Jekyll Harbor Marina

Sunday Dec 8th after a long day cruising the most beautiful section of the ICW with its miles of winding, curving, and multiple bends NH docks at Jekyll Harbor Marina. Before leaving SYC Nana learned how the dolphins hunt fish by corralling, which means the dolphin forces the fish to shallow waters and then captures them. 

The homes along the ICW as you pass the Isle of Hope are just lovely with the draping of the oak and pines. Skidway Narrows, Hell Gate, Rivers and Creek all brought their challenges. 

Nana made some delicious scones with tea and then gave Nandad a break from the wheel. At 12.08 pm while cruising down the Front River through the Creighton Narrows at the bend of markers 158a and 160, without warning , NH hit a shoal. Looking back Nana should have given the red markers a wider berth! So it goes to show even while being attentive, watching the charts and keeping a watchful eye on the depth, running aground happens. Luckily the tide was rising so by the time sea tow arrived a simple tug pulled us away. Now needless to say Nana did not take the wheel again and was very happy to get tied up to the dock at Jekyll. 

We took the golf cart to the local store and then made the most delicious white pizza for dinner and reviewed the days events. The conclusion again is that boating always brings the unexpected. At least no damage done and preparing for another adventure tomorrow- although Nana will be a little nervous! 

New Horizon arrives at GA Savannah Yacht Club

December 7th Nana and Nandad left Skull Creek Marina for Savannah via the Atlantic Ocean. While playing a treasure hunt on NH we discovered that our holding tank was leaking! Now the good news is it is a contained compartment and of course the bad news is raw waste is not so good hence the need to head out to sea. 

The Captain at the entrance to the Yacht Club. The picture really doesn’t do it justice but the Avenue is lined with gaslights.

Arrived at our destination by 11.30. SYC is right on the Wilmington River in a lovely secluded spot. Beautiful pool, tennis, and great food. A family of Dolphin swim around our dock but of course shy away as soon as the camera appears. 

Yet another wonderful sunset while I wrote my blog. 

NH is at Skull Creek Marina

NH arrives at Hilton Head on Friday December 6th 2019. Exactly four years ago Ireland’s Eye was on a slip at Shelter Cove. A long cruise along many rivers, creeks, and inlets. The current at Elliott Creek hit 3.7 knots!  NH passed the River Cruiser Independence on the Stono River. It was a very pretty sight with not so much room to spare. 

Now every day we learn different things and today Nana learned what a Slough means! The word is typically used to describe wetlands - who knew! These areas are known as low country with marshlands being the prominent landscape. Nature at its best.  After arriving at Skull Creek we take a welcomed stroll around the plantation to the Olde Fort. 

The map below shows the ICW from Charleston to Ferandina Beach FL. As you can see NH passed by Beaufort SC and is now at mile ICW 555. Tomorrow we plan to head to Savannah Yacht Club for a relaxing short cruise before heading down through the rest of Georgia. 

Dec 5th NH arrives at Charleston City Marina

NH left Georgetown at 9.30 headed for Charleston. After fueling up and pumping out - the essentials - Nana and Nandad start their cruise. Now nana believes that because it was such a beautiful day, and the sunshine felt so good , NH was cruising the Winyah Bay and heading out into the ocean! Now this time of year is the Right Whale Calving and Nursing season so boats have to take a different route so as not to disturb them. Obviously Nandad decided to promptly turn around and take the ICW route. The cruise through the Minim Creek, McClellanville and Andersonville is beautiful but with lots of shoaling and some very scary moments! 

The picture is the entrance to The Creek. Nana and Nandad were very attentive for the rest of the cruise and arrived at Charleston City Marina by 2.30pm. After washing down the boat and a wonderful walk along the Ashley Riverfront we were entertained with another perfect sunset. Dinner onboard was delicious. 

December 4th 2019 NH Adventures Continue

Wednesday 4th Nana and Nandad return to New Horizon to continue the journey to Sarasota. After leaving a very cold and white Franklin the warm sun was very welcoming. Once again provisions were necessary after a wonderful lunch at The Olde Fish House. A sunset walk along the River with another beautiful sunset. The homes are absolutely beautiful 

with amazing front porches and as you can see very festive. 

The entire downtown is a National Historic District. 

Friday Nov 8th Annapolis

1. After a wonderful few days in Miami celebrating the FCIA’s 20th anniversary Nana and Nandad leave for Annapolis to pick up their new boat. By 5pm that evening we became the proud owners of an Elling 49 4E called New Horizon. The plan is to leave Kent Island tomorrow and start the journey south to Stuart. Then cross the Okeechobee to the west side and eventually Sarasota.

1.  

New Horizon Adventures Begin

Nov 9th Nana and Nandad leave Kent Island heading south. They decided to take a short ride to Safe Harbor Zahnisers at Solomon Island - about 48nm. The Chesapeake Bay was very shoot however NH cruised very nicely at 16knts. We had a slight delay but got into Zahnisers by 4pm and were tied up on the dock for the most beautiful sunset and almost full

moon.