ICW 2018 - 2019

A Bit of the Georgia ICW, then Outside to Hilton Head

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We treated ourselves to a quick trip through the southern Georgia ICW, but impatience — and a favorable weather window — lured us on an outside run from St.Simons to Hilton Head.

Days 161 – 163, March 23-25, 2019
Amelia Island to St. Simons Island

We started the day at the Amelia Island Marina, which is not an ideal stop but the Fernandina Harbor Marina right in town, which is where we wanted to stay, was closed for reconstruction so we had no real choice.

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Morning light on the Amelia River

The morning was absolutely lovely. Flat calm, refreshingly cool, and a beautiful amber-pastel-y light that gave the marshes and river a soft glow. It felt a bit like fall, which was wonderful even though it was actually spring. This business of the temperatures cooling even though spring is approaching has my senses confused. I keep forgetting if winter is coming or going. Continue reading A Bit of the Georgia ICW, then Outside to Hilton Head →

American Tug 395, ICW 2018 - 2019

We Survived TrawlerFest!

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It was our first experience at TrawlerFest. American Tug was an Exhibitor at the Stuart, Florida, show and asked Esmeralde to be there for the event.  We were apprehensive as the event approached, but we had a great time!

Days 142 – 148, March 4 – 10 2019

Our itinerary since leaving Key West on February 17 was loosely geared towards getting the boat to Stuart in time for TrawlerFest in early March.  TrawlerFest is a six-day event sponsored by Passagemaker Magazine.  The event includes a lengthy list of seminars presented by seasoned industry professionals designed to offer educational opportunities for those contemplating the trawler lifestyle, or for those looking to improve their experience and knowledge.  It also includes shore-side exhibitors and an in-the-water boat show featuring — wait for it — trawlers! Continue reading We Survived TrawlerFest! →

ICW 2018 - 2019

Catching Up: Where Have We Been?

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The long-overdue (and possibly temporary) post to fill in the last two missing months of cruising.  Pardon the much-too-lengthy post.

Days 56 – 84, December 9, 2018 – January 6, 2019

The last post was St. Augustine, which seems a lifetime ago.  An update is long overdue.  I would still like to complete detailed posts for each segment of our trip, and I may attempt to do that at a later date, but for now, I simply want to fill in the blanks to bring this record up to date.  To that end, I will use a broad-brush to simply document our path and the places we have visited.  This will cover our route from St. Augustine in early December, when the holidays were just grinding into gear, to our arrival in Key West just after the New Year.  2019 has arrived. Continue reading Catching Up: Where Have We Been? →

ICW 2018 - 2019

St. Augustine and “Nights of Lights”

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We had looked forward to this visit because of St. Augustine’s reputation as a fine stop along the ICW.  In the end, as a destination it has both highs and lows.

Day 52 – 55, December 5 – 8

Our visit to St. Augustine started with a big happy knock on the hull.  We were just settling into our slip at the Municipal Marina and thinking about how to spend our time when we had that unmistakable knock-knock-knock.  Who’s there? Total strangers!  It’s that Facebook thing again…  Tim and Diane off the Kadey Krogen Acadia had come to visit, bearing gifts no less.  SPAM! and Key Lime Pie!!!  How on earth did they know?? Continue reading St. Augustine and “Nights of Lights” →

ICW 2018 - 2019

Finally Florida

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After 1200 miles and 50 days, we are finally in Florida…and we finally run aground.

Day 51 – 52, December 4 – 5

Our stop in Amelia Island – our first in Florida – was one of convenience.  We would have loved to stay and visit in Fernandina but with the Fernandina Harbor Marina closed that wasn’t an option.  Thus we limited our visit to one night at the less-than-exciting Amelia Island Marina and pressed south into Florida. Continue reading Finally Florida →

ICW 2018 - 2019

A Private Lock and Running Offshore

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Windmill Harbor on Hilton Head Island offered us a delightful and secure overnight stop before skipping the Georgia ICW entirely by running “outside” to Amelia Island.

Day 49 – 50, December 2 – 3

After delaying our early Sunday morning departure from BEW-fərt, South Carolina because of thunder, lightning, downpours and threatened tornadoes, we were chomping at the bit to get under way.  At 11:00 am, with gray skies and rain still splattering around us, we cast off from the Downtown Marina of BEW-fərt.  We didn’t know where we were going, but that’s normal for us.  We don’t plan, remember? Continue reading A Private Lock and Running Offshore →

ICW 2018 - 2019

BEW-fərt not BOW-fərt

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Our daily runs seem to be from contrast-to-contrast, as this one was from remote and quiet, cool and clear off-season Edisto Beach to the lively, Christmassy, touristy — and wet-rainy — town of BEW-fərt.South Carolina. Not to be confused with BOW-fərt, North Carolina.

Day 47 – 49, November 30 – December 2
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A crisp fall sunrise on Big Bay Creek, Edisto Beach, SC.

Edisto presented us with yet another lovely morning, a clear and crisp fall day with no wind.  The sunrise was breathtaking: such a treat to be up early to enjoy it. Continue reading BEW-fərt not BOW-fərt →

All things fun (and tasty) in the life of the Beards