May 23, 2007. Charleston, SC

May 23, 2007

Today was a “fixing things day”. Though not quite as exciting as the previous day it was very productive day. There were many tasks to complete including sorting and cleaning the engine room and crew quarters, fueled 260 gallons, organized stuff, put wine away, drank some, restock sodas, and beers, fixed aft deck lights, fixed cooler, ..,runned some wires for the auto pilot.

We unloaded the scooter, the guys cruised through King St that goes through downtown. And loaded back up. We are on schedule and everything is in order for the boat to leave in the morning on the rest of its voyage.

When we went to dinner we noticed that the state flag is every where. In 1765, Protesters against the Stamp Act carried a blue banner with a crescent moon.On the other side, The Palmetto became a powerful symbol when Moultrie defended Charleston from the British at the fort on Sullivan’s Island. The rubbery palmettos absorbed the cannonballs. It was added to the flag 100 years later.

Charleston is known as a bird watching city: Red-tailed Hawks, Herrons,Egrets, Black skimmers, Oysters catchers. It is also a fishing and shrimping town.

We went to “Tommy Condons” for dinner. Walked around the “French Huguenot Church” on Church St. And went to the bars on Chalmers St., where the “Old Slave Market” is.

We went to a couple of roof top bars. Nice view. The “Market Pavilion Rooftop Bar” on South Market and East Bay, with a Grecian pool and lounge chairs. And the “Rooftop bar at Vendue” mixed crowd and friendly vibe.

May 22. Savannah, GA to Charleston,SC

We left Savanna, GA. At 10 am.

We went north on the Savannah River and two hours later we were getting out the inlet. Rode two and a half hours at 24 Knots average and got into Charleston inlet.

The 3.5 mile cooper river bridge is the longest cable-stayed span in North America. The view of the harbor is unmatched…next time got a get up there!

At 9 pm we took a 5 dollar cab to East Bay St. We had dinner at the “Fleet Landing” on Concord St, located right on the water in a renovated 1940s Navy debarkation point, there is a bar inside and a huge porch. We watched “Carolina Belle” go by. “Carolina Belle” is a public boat tour around Charleston Harbor: Departs from Maritime Center (one block south from the aquarium). A non-stop, 90 minute history tour aboard the 300 passenger yacht, Carolina Belle. Adults $ 14.50

There is also a carriage tour that goes out of the corner of Church St and N. Market for 20 bucks. Didn’t get to do that either.

Another very interesting tour would be: “Tommy Dew’s On the Market Walking Tours” it gives a heavy historic emphasis, provides plenty of photo ops. The walk leaves daily at 11 am from the city market and finish at the battery.

After dinner, Brett and Ximena went out wondering around the French Quarter to “Wild Wings” that ended up being a gay bar…got out of there a few hours later.. took a cab..and went home.

May 21, Flagler Beach, Fl to Savannah, GA

May 21^st, 2007. Flagler Beach, Fl to Savannah, GA

It took us a while to figure out how to adjust the tender tied up. We finally left Flagler Beach at 10:00. Mark was a bit frustrated because we didn’t get an early start. Slowly, labored up the ICW for couple of hours. We got the opportunity to ride pass the historic and beautiful town of St. Augustin and retreated to the ocean through the St. Augustine Inlet.

St. Augustin, Fl

The open sea wasn’t as rough as the marine forecast had predicted and was actually pretty nice – the waves were maybe two feet.

Mark wanted to head further out to sea in order to cut the distance, so we cruised about 10 miles offshore for five and a half hours. We headed back inland at Wassaw Sound as we were getting low on fuel.

We pulled in to the closest fuel dock, Thurnderbolt Marina, at 18:30 and for an hour fed the thirsty Sayonara II a hefty 700 gallons.

Kept cruising on the Wilmington River for 2 hours...we had to hurry as the sun was setting.

We arrived in Savannah, GA at 21:30. We pulled up at River Street Market Place right downtown. We rinsed the boat, quickly showered and went for a bite to eat. We walked along Riverfront Street. Exhausted, we called it a day.

It was almost 10 hours from Flagler Beach to Savannah…tomorrow will be another day.

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