Updates at the Laundramat in Beaufort

Sunday November 16, 2008 to Monday November 17, 2008
Charleston
Charleston was like a reprieve from calamity in so many ways. We were tied to a huge floating dock at the Charleston City Marina which was a Mega Dock for huge boats. Luxury seems so surreal at this stage of the trip. We were happy to be tied to a dock even if it was 2.00 per foot and minimum of 35 foot boat. (we are 33). The first thing that confronted us but not the first time is they did not have shore power for 30 amp. (50 or 100 only). While we were assessing our situation of paying for a dock with no hydro a fellow yachters pulled up and he had a splitter so Dick talked him into letting us use that so we were able to have heat that night with our electric heater. We headed downtown for a tour after a shower and spent the rest of the day enjoying Charleston. It is so beautiful here but he temperature is just above freezing. Everyone keeps telling us it is not always like this here. :)
Monday I got up and did the laundry and headed downtown on the shuttle to get some groceries. The day before we went downtown with the men to the Market and they lasted about three minutes looking around and so they headed to a restaurant and so Diane and I looked threw the Market area. There were some things I wanted Dick to see so this was an opportunity to share them with him today and head back to the Marina on the shuttle before they closed. The Market we were told is where they traded slaves but one of the Shuttle Drivers told us they were traded on the waterfront and that these buildings were given to the slaves to make a living. Not having a descent wifi connection it will be hard to verify this at our Mega Dock. Our fellow yachter's wife decided he needed to get some of his amps back so they could run their all seasons heating system so we were without hydro for another dip to 30 degrees. Being tied to a dock does allow for a full night of relaxing sleep.
November 18, 2008
Stono River to Wadmalaw Sound to Wadmalaw River and into the South Edisto River to Anchor
We headed out today to get south where it is warm. The wind was howling again but we needed to keep moving south. The bridge beside the Marina did not open until 9:00 am so we had to wait for that. While we were circling around Wayne radioed Vertigo that his shaft was making a noise and he was going to go back and have it checked out. Vertigo 1 and Grace C headed threw the bridge and as we were going threw we heard Bandaris (Walter and Brenda) radioed the Charleston Marina that they were coming in. That is so cool now Wayne and Max and Niki will not be alone. We bucked the current all day until about the time that Tony suggested we stop and anchor. This was unthinkable for us but when you are sharing the journey you don't get to make all the decisions. This area of the ICW has large grass and marsh areas and not any trees close to the shore. Fortunately our mentor Tony found us an Anchorage on the South Edisto River with trees on the NW shore. When we pulled into the anchorage the wind was blocked, the water was deep enough right up to the shore and the hook set and we slept threw the night. It was early afternoon when we arrived so I pulled out my quilting and started to work on that. She worked until dark which comes around 4:30 pm We had bacon and eggs for supper and headed to bed to keep warm with a movie called Shadowland.
Wednesday November 19, 2008
South Edisto to Ashepoo River to Ashepoo Cutoff to Cooper River to Factory Creek at Beaufort.
Awoke to wristwatch alarm and headed out after a bang up job of cleaning the anchor. As my husband says on our “List of things about living aboard” the anchor takes longer to clean than the whole boat.
The wind had died and sun was out and although we were dressed in snow pants, gloves and toques we were not cold. The military planes were flying over us and so that was a big thrill to watch. Tony and Diane have a dock in Factory Creek at Beaufort that they are taking us to. When we arrived Mr. Wolffe greeted us and helped us tie up. We were invited up to their home to meet his wife Gail. Sitting in a house on a couch was very entertaining to me. Their house had a furnace and that was also lovely to be partaking of. There were lots of stories to tell so that kept us there for a few hours which was just grand. There kindnesses extended to taking us to get a new fan belt for another emergency and
Wal-mart to get groceries and Best Buy so Tony could get his computer fixed. When we left the bridge that swings was out of order so the traffic was busy. Oh well Mr. Wolfe was transporting us in his Land Yacht so that was very comfortable. We were invited back to their home for happy hour at 5:00 pm.
What a wonderful couple and so enjoyed all their hospitality.
Thursday November 20, 2008
Beaufort South Carolina
Slept in until 8:00 am and after Breakfast we took the sail down and I got my sewing machine out and repaired it. Setting up the machine was a huge high for me. Diane and I headed out to check out the Beauty of Beaufort and 146 pictures later we concur. The office for the Walking Tour had moved and when we got to the new one they were gone until 2:00 pm so with the map from the library we did our own tour. When Diane and I returned the guys had word that Nice Butt and Bandaris would arrive tomorrow and they had decided to layover another day. Although it would be great to see everyone again we need to keep making progress toward New Smyrna by December 5, 2008 to meet my parents. Dick and I discussed heading out on our own but not really an option at this point. Gail and her husband had another couple they know join them in their Land yacht but they still invited us to Happy Hour around 4:00 pm. After the gathering Diane and Tony headed out with us to pick up a pizza. While we were waiting for the pizza Diane and I headed down to a hardware and I found a set of scales to weigh myself and I was happy to discover that I have lost 20 lbs. Dick had picked up a couple of new movies at the Video Store but fresh air and all I don't remember seeing much of it.