All fall and winter we complained about the cold. We couldn't wait to get to a dock at night so we could plug in the electric heater. People all along the way kept saying that this was the coldest winter anyone has seen in years, especially in Florida. We just wanted warm weather and sunshine.
Well, folks, the weather has changed! For about a week we have been experiencing temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's, and high humidity. Very uncomfortable. Wow! What a difference. Now local people are saying that this is early for this kind of weather, even for the south! It isn't even summer yet; this is July and August weather!
We enjoyed our time at Isle of Hope, visiting our friends there and taking care of some boat chores. Isle of Hope Methodist Church provided a warm welcome on Sunday morning. We left Isle of Hope on Tuesday, headed for Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a grey day with light rain showers and little wind, but we were making fine progress under power. Then at about 1:30 PM, NOAA announced a tornado warning, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain headed toward Hilton Head. We were about 5 miles south at that point. The sky turned black, and the wind piped up. It just happened that we were near Haig Point, where there was a series of docks. We radioed, and received no response, so we went in to the dock anyway and tied up. Just in time! Heavy rain, gusty wind, then it all passed in a half hour, and we were on our way again! At that point, we didn't want to cross Port Royal Sound in unsettled weather, so we opted for Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head. We were soaked, and we needed a break.
On the next day to Beaufort, only 18 miles. This made a very short travel day, but we had enjoyed Beaufort in December, and wanted to visit again in warm weather. So we put the hook down near Downtown Marina, and dinghied ashore to enjoy the beautiful waterfront area. It was just too hot to do any sightseeing, but it was nice to enjoy sitting outside along the waterfront.
Next day was again hot and humid we motored to an anchorage in the South Edisto River, where we had anchored on our way south in the fall. Last time we were all alone; this time two other boats joined us! When we got up at 5:30 the next morning, it was 73 degrees in the boat and 93% humidity. Yuck.
On to Charleston, this time to the Charleston Maritime Center. Good choice. This location is close to the center of Charleston: the Battery, the restaurants, and really all of the action! Last night a front moved through, bringing cooler weather, after a day in the 90's. Overnight temps dipped into the 60's and today has been beautiful, with temps in the 70's and low humidity. This morning we were privileged to attend services the the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. This was our second time here; we had made a special effort to be in Charleston on Sunday so we could return to this beautiful church.
This has been a busy weekend in Charleston; graduation weekend for the College of Charleston, high school prom night and Mother's Day! Flowers and sundresses are abundant! Very colorful and a different flavor from our November visit.
This afternoon we cleaned the boat, filled water tanks, did some provisioning at Harris Teeter, and reviewed the route north. We plan to cross Charleston Harbor and continue north in the AM. While here we have enjoyed conversation with Lynnea and Leonard Rosner on their Sabre 362. They are from Burlington, VT and keep their boat at LCYC. It is a small world!
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Hi Karen & Dick--hope your journey continues to be good.
Well, my brother and I untied for the last time from Clinton, CT on Thursday, May 6. We fought headwinds of nearly 20 kts down the Sound towards NYC. Conditions were choppy, but the sun broke out and was generally nice. Going down the East River was surreal for one such as I who had never done that before. It was like I was passing a movie set that was New York. What a phenominal experience! Nearing the Battery the conditions got really windy and in the upper bay we experienced 4-5 foot swells with spray going up and over the bridge enclosure, but we motored on, and felt very secure underway. The view of the Statue of Liberty from my own deck was a special treat. We landed at Liberty Landing, and were treated like royalty--they were incredibly nice and accomodating. A water taxi ride took us to the World Financial Center for an al fresco dining experience which was spectacular.
The following day we motored up the Hudson, past the "Little Red Lighthouse" and the GW Bridge, and on up under the Tapan Zee, et.al. Lunch was at anchor north of the US Military Acadamy at West Point. Continuing north we finally tied up at Catskill Marina in Catskill Creek and got to wash the salt spray off the boat (it was caked on, and Liberty Landing's dock water supply was interrupted by a water main break). The surroundings were very pleasant, and I felt like I had just parked in someone's back yard. I highly recommend this marina.
Saturday morning was rainy, windy and cold, but the enclosure on the bridge served us well. We motored on up to Albany, through the Federal Lock near Troy, and into the Champlain Canal through Lock 1. My bridge clearance was suspect beyond Lock 3 due to a low-slung railroad bridge crossing the canal, so they "lowered the pool" for us--I've never had anyone lower a river for me before!
We made it through Lock 5 in Schuylerville, NY before we tied up at the Lock 5 North Seawall for the night, and broke out the grill.
Sunday saw us put the Champlain Canal in the rear-view mirror as we exited at Lock 12 in Whitehall, NY, the birthplace of the US Navy. Filling the tanks and showering at Lock 12 Marina were topped off by an excellent dinner at "The Finch & Chubb" restaurant. Super views of the water from there, too. The wind was really howling on the lake, but the boat was a champ. We arrived in Port Henry, NY, my home port (for the boat), at about 5 p.m.
It was a spectacular trip, with incredible scenery and wonderful people to meet and hopefully visit with again.
Hope to see you soon!
Cheers--
--Rich
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