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 →

ICW 2018 - 2019

Sophisticated Charleston to Rustic Edisto Beach

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Our trips to Edisto Beach in our Airstream made us anxious to return – by boat! – and we wanted to say Hi! to our buddy George, the World’s Grumpiest Bartender.

Day 46, November 29

One of our favorite camping destinations in our little Airstream Bambi is Edisto Beach State Park.  We love the simplicity and natural beauty, the lovely long undeveloped stretch of protected beach, and Whaley’s Store – a self-described dive bar with great fresh seafood and — wait for it — the World’s Grumpiest Bartender.  When we realized that Edisto was just off the ICW we had to organize a stop there. Continue reading Sophisticated Charleston to Rustic Edisto Beach →

ICW 2018 - 2019

From Lowcountry Muddy Waters to Sophisticated Charm and Grace

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Our visit to Charleston was in fun contrast to our transit through the Carolina low country rivers of the ICW.

Days 43 – 45, November 26 – 28

We had been looking forward to our visit to Charleston for pretty much, well, forever.  Who doesn’t?  Characterized by laidback gracious hospitality and historic homes, Charleston is magnetic.  Arriving by boat made it just that much more à point. Continue reading From Lowcountry Muddy Waters to Sophisticated Charm and Grace →

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