A quick stop at Amelia Island on the border of Florida and Georgia was extended by a day as it was such a charming place – our first small town, USA. Here we met up, again, with Bill & Cathy from a Canadian boat ‘Dream Maker’, who we had met in Bruno’s Zoo, Fort Lauderdale and duly celebrated Queen Victoria’s Birthday with them, which is a public holiday in Canada – are we missing out?
We then carried on north motoring up the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) – an inland route following rivers, lakes and the occasional canal that runs from Key West all the way up to Norfolk in Virginia. Entering Georgia we passed through wonderful marshlands as we motored slowly up and round meandering rivers spotting wild pigs on the shore, dolphins in water and eagles nesting on the top of inter-coastal waterway signs. However, we haven't spotted a 'gator yet, the new pastime that has replaced Manatee spotting! Also occasionally we would round a corner to be greeted by the sight of a Southern mansion, white, columns, veranda etc (all very Gone with the Wind), toys: yacht, speedboat etc parked at the dock!
No toys at the end of this dock
‘Gator spotting is less monotonous that manatee spotting as every floating log or thing sticking out of the water has to be investigated – this could get a little tiresome; command decision to return to sailing in the Atlantic will be made shortly!
There are some downsides to ICW travel firstly we seem to run aground a bit (!) worse still is the ‘Brown Moustache’ left on the bow and along the sides caused by the bow wave – a big brown stain from the tannin in the water left by rotting leaves (Apparently). It makes us look like one of those live-aboard types who don't care anymore. Takes loo cleaning fluid to get it off – happy days.
Our last stop in Georgia was The Isle of Hope where the marina charged $20 to park the dinghy but did get free use of courtesy bikes (But not the courtesy car!) which lessened the blow. We left the boat there and headed into Savannah with our friends Rudy & Lilian of Shiva. We got up bright and early to catch the bus for our 15 mile trip into town and were amused to be greeted by the neon display in the bus ‘Thanks for letting us serve your transport needs today’. Savannah is a very pretty old town with lots of leafy squares and ‘mighty fine’ houses. The whole town is marked by wonderful trees that 'drip' the Spanish Moss that is so indicative to this whole area. Once the sight seeing was done we returned to the boats and put the courtesy bikes to good use by stocking up with food from ‘Piggly Wiggly’ (Sainsburys), and later out to dinner. Interesting ride home 4 of us in a line, with 1 head torch and lots of shrieks of laughter but no grazed knees.
Midnight in Garden of Good & Evil House - Savannah
On then into South Carolina (25 May) were we spent a night at Beaufort ("Boofut") SC, another very pretty town but nothing to buy downtown just Real Estate Agents, gift shops and coffee bars however, we treated ourselves to a night at the cinema, the first of this trip! As everywhere is geared around the car the mile walk there and back does make it slightly hard work!
We have spent Memorial weekend (May Bank Holiday) anchored off Charleston, another lovely Southern town. We have done some sighting, stocked up on some food and a few loads of washing all this with access to free wifi as well! Bound for Beaufort North Carolina tomorrow either out in the ocean if the wind is in the right direction or carrying up the ICW.
Never ending search for wifi signal!
We think we may have been a little hard in an earlier blog about the warm and cuddly US Customs and Boarder Protection guys – the recorded phone message in Georgia closes with “May your day be full of unexpected blessings” – we felt we needed to share that thought with y’all.
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