Thanksgiving Day

We missed our family on Thanksgiving Day. We did spend the time period of Thanksgiving at St. Mary's in Georgia. The town opens the hotel in this small pretty town for a huge Thanksgiving feast for the cruisers. They supply the turkeys and ham and the cruisers supply covered dishes of all sorts as well as desserts. We left totally full. There were over 150 people there. It was wonderful. Two and a half tables of food, a table for bread and rolls, and an area just designated to desserts. A Thanksgiving feast we will never forget. It'll never replace being with our children on Thanksgiving. Yet, it offered an opportunity to meet new friends and have dinner with our good friends, Fran and John.

Beautiful Country of Ours

Today is Saturday, November 17, 2007. We finally got through North Carolina and seemed to fly through South Carolina in only a few days. We visited Barefoot Landing, Georgetown, Beaufort, and stayed at a marina in Port Royal. We are already in Georgia. The weather has still been very lovely. We had high winds a couple of nights ago. Everyone in the anchorage outside Beaufort was on alert in case our anchors didn't hold in such strong winds. It was nice to get a slip to get fuel, do wash, take real showers, get some food, and fill our water tanks. We need to be tight with water. We hold 90 gallons and it can go fast if not careful. We are still enjoying ourselves. We talk to people everywhere we go. And we still run into folks that we met at a marina in North Carolina during Noel a couple of weeks ago. "Cruisers" are a wonder group of people. If you have a question or a problem, there is someone to ask that's been there and done that. It's really comforting to know that. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

We'll get there, really!

We made it Southport, NC. This is our last stay in North Carolina. We'll actually get to South Carolina tomorrow. We anchored in Wrightsville Beach yesterday. It's a lovely seashore community with a beautiful beach. We took a nice walk along the beach and found some sea glass. The mornings have been pretty frigid. Dressing like we're going to build snowmen was not what I had in mind. But, the sun begins to warm things up as it get higher in the sky. We have been one of about 15 boats all heading down in a group. This is all by coincidence. The bridges and their restrictive openings seem to be regulating the flow of traffic. When there is not a bridge to wait for, everyone goes at their own pace. We're luck to have the sunny weather. This area still needs rain badly. The low water in the intercoastal waterway has created problems for several boats to run aground and have to be pulled off. Close attention to all the markers and the depth sounder is our first priority during this leg. Still meeting lots of nice people all heading south to one port or another. It's been really a cool experience, so far, even with an occasional melt-down here or there.

MERRILY WE GO ALONG

Here is a picture of Bill working on our computer putting in way points for our route. Today is Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.We made it to Coinjock, NC, yesterday. The wind is 20 to 30 knots out of the Northeast. We need to stay put for a couple of days. We are at a marina and there are a few other boats in the same situation. We are meeting some very nice people. Cruisers, generally, are very happy and pleasant.
Tuesday, the 31st we made it to Norfolk. It took us 6 days to get there because of the weather.
We went to Portsmouth. John and Fran needed to pick up a package at the post office. The package had arrived but was transferred to another post office a couple of miles away. Too long of a walk, we took a cab. We also had the driver take us to a West Marine store to pick up some needed items that had broken or "fell overboard". Of course we had to call a cab to take us back to the anchorage area where our boats were located. (Note to self: next time rent a car. It'll be cheaper).

Who's brilliant idea was this?

The weather was a real challenge on our way to Reedville, VA. It poured the 44 miles from Solomon's to Reedville. We have been here for two days. We can't be in too big of a rush. The weather will dictate our travels. It's a crisp clear day here behind Sandy Point in Reedville.

OFF WE GOOOOOOOO!

We are presently anchored in Town Creek in Oxford, MD. The wind is pretty hefty. We will depart early tomorrow morning (Wedenesday, 10/24) for Solomons. The wind (as per NOAA) will be out of the north. This will be fine since we're heading south. The sun is out, our wind generator is making electricity, we're stocked up to the gills. Life is good! Fran and John Morrison are also heading south. We will be travelling with them. Our adventure begins!

Two Days to Go!

We’re two days away from our departure day. Oh, the anticipation! We have packed every nook and cranny of the Deborah Lee with things that we "think" we’ll need, and food. You know how waiting can be. And we hear that the weather will bring the area much needed rain. At least we don’t have to leave in snow. We can handle the rain! Wind and Thunder is another matter. We would probably have to wait that out! I have things on this boat that I haven’t figured out where to put. It’ll come to me, I’m sure. Hey, we could eat that whole bag of chips so I can use that space to put some extra wash cloths I brought. Or, please help me drink this whole box of wine (yes, I did say BOX of wine). I need that space for my hair dryer and curling iron. Oh, the sacrifices we mortals make to wander about the world seeking adventure.