The Road Less Traveled

Instead of making a long day's journey to Charleston, we decided to take a side trip.

Edisto Island, South Carolina, is off the beaten path for most Loopers.

 

 

 

 

 

Pulling into the marina allowed us to accomplish some overdue housekeeping.

In between loads of laundry, The Dairy Queen takes a break!

 

 

 

 

An afternoon stroll thru this Carolina resort community was reminiscent of our high school days in Fort Walton Beach.

Dune fences and no condos.

 

 

 

 

 

You know there has to be an interesting story behind this unfortunate situation!

 

 

 

 

 

We often curse having to dodge the numerous crabpots lining the waterways.  However, we sympathize with these hardworking fishermen, who only receive a small fraction of the price that consumers pay for a fresh crab dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature's beauty abounds in this low-country wonderland.

 

 

 

 

 

A spectacular full moon rises over Spiritus' stern at Edisto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serenity in the sun's warm glow as we get an early start for our cruise from Edisto to Charleston.

 

 

 

 

Reflections From The Water

 

I discovered during this journey that many of the people we meet have interesting sayings, advice, and  "words to live by".  Some of these quotes I have heard before; many are new.

 

What makes them all interesting is the story that goes along with the saying.

What makes them all valuable is how you apply them to your own life.

 

 

 

"Practice being a human being instead of a human doing"

 

By nature, I tend to feel that I'm wasting time if I'm not busy doing something.  Physical movement is usually considered a prerequisite of this definition.  Mowing grass, washing the car, cleaning the house, repairing the washer or dryer, changing the boat's engine oil, or putting another coat of varnish on the hand rails are all considered "doing something".

 

We need to give ourselves permission to stop moving all the time.  Realize it's O.K. to spend an entire afternoon sitting in your favorite chair reading a book, to while away an hour or two as you admire pelicans diving into the bayou for their evening meal, to thumb through books in order to learn the types of flora and fauna you've seen while cruising up a river, or to just bask in the warm sunshine with your eyes closed, allowing the marvelous sounds of nature to fill your ears.

 

As The Eagles wrote in one of my favorite songs:  "Learn to Be Still".

Give yourself permission to be a human being! 

Live in the moment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Gone to Carolina

 The First Mate takes the helm as we depart Hilton Head, South Carolina. 

Our time here was too short, but we saw enough to know it warrants a return in the future.

 

 

 

 Our first clue that we are approaching Parris Island.

Surely all you Marines out there hope to return to this paradise in the future, too!

 

 

 

 

 Poised on the banks of the Beaufort River, the city of the same name is an entrancing ensemble of color and beauty.

 

 

 

 

 Many of the period homes of Beaufort are clearly the city's star attraction.

Built in 1852 by planter Lewis Reeves, this house served as Union hospital #14 during the Civil War.

 

 

 

 

 

Wrap-around porches are a common feature among 19th century homes in South Carolina.

The cool river breezes helped to alleviate the sweltering heat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A carraige tour ride is an option for those who don't eat ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

Recognize this 1853 home from the movie, "The Great Santini"?

 

 

 

 

 

During his run across America, Forrest Gump was interviewed by a reporter while crossing this bridge!

 

 

 

 

 

Is that Forrest running toward me???

 

 

 

 

 

Nope . . . . . It's Linda running towards an ice cream shop!

 

 

 

 

 

The city merchants of Beaufort display overwhelming support of their hometown girl, American Idol contestant Candice Glover.

If you haven't already heard her, this girl can sing!

 

 

 

 

Beaufort's St Helena Episcopal Church was built in 1724 for a congregation organized in 1712.

  It was used as a hospital by Union troops during the Civil War.

Some of the gravestones were uprooted and used as operating tables.

 

 

 

 

 

After a full day of sightseeing, we are rewarded with a beautiful sunset during docktails & pupus.

 

 

 

 

 

A last look at one of Beaufort's elegant old homes as Spiritus churns up-river.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Cruising thru Georgia

 (The theory is)

Keep the green can between your boat and the shore and you won't run aground . . . . .

(The exception is)

. . . . . unless you're in Georgia.

 

 

 

 

Whew. . . . . Spiritus ran aground, but we managed to reverse her into deep water!

 

 

 

 

At the little town dock in St. Marys, Georgia, we have some well deserved docktails on Spiritus while admiring the shrimp trawler berthed behind us.

And "Yes", Linda had freshly caught shrimp for dinner that night!

 

 

 

 

 

St Marys' beautiful Riverfront Park is a great addition to this charming port of call, known as "The Gateway to Cumberland Island".

 

 

 

 

 

The First Presbyterian Church, built in 1808, is believed to be the second oldest church in Georgia.

 

 

 

 

One of several Victorian-era Bed & Breakfast Inns which grace the town of St Marys.

 

 

 

 

Captain Eddy poses with his new-found friend, Captain Hook.

 

 

 

 

Cruising the Intra Coastal Waterway from the south end of Georgia to the north end, you see LOTS and LOTS of marshland.

(I mean more than you can imagine!)

 

 

 

 

St Simons Lighthouse was built in 1811, but was destroyed by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

  The current lighthouse was built in 1872 on the same sight as the original tower.

 

 

 

 

 

The laughing gulls that followed Spiritus provided a welcomed break to the monotony of Georgia's marshland!

(Did we mention there is LOTS of marshland in Georgia?)

 

 

 

 

Our flybridge view of the marina at Two-Way Fish Camp.

 

 

 

 

 How can you resist eating at a place brave enough to call itself "Mudcat Charlie's"?

 

 

 

 

 

Cruising isn't always "Glitz and Glamour"!

 

The First Mate uses fresh water to clean the salt spray off our windshields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Georgia, nine-foot tide changes (twice a day) make route planning and tide table information a necessity. 

The drastic tide changes also make dealing with water current a challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Georgia at our stern, the lush surroundings of Hilton Head Marina, South Carolina were a welcomed sight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember to keep your brains full and your bowels empty, NOT vice-versa!

 

 

 

 

 Life is good .....

 

 



Recuperation at Ortega

Change the oil, or go to the pool????

 

 

 

 

That stinking oil change can wait!

 

 

 

 

Just following doctor's orders: relax!

 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful evening for boaters to gather for the annual "Burn Your Socks" party.

 

 

 

 

 Food, fellowship, and boating stories were shared at the Marina clubhouse.

 

 

 

 

 Our one-man band sounded like a quartet, thanks to the wonders of modern electronics!

 

 

 

 

An old sailor's tradition: burn your winter socks upon the arrival of Spring! 

 

 

 

 

Captain Eddy tosses his socks over the balcony into the firepit. 

 

 

 

 

The nearby historic neighborhood of Avondale was a joy to explore during our daily walks. 

 

 

 

 

 Oak trees provided pleasant shade during our strolls.

 

 

 

 

Can you see Linda?  This was a very gorgeous and very large oak in Avondale.

 

 

 

 

After a long walk, it's time for a break!

Chocolate gives you energy, doesn't it?

 

 

 

 

 





 

Getting Spiritus ready to continue her northbound journey.

Linda cleans the life ring while Eddy washes bird poop off the dinghy cover.

A clean boat is a happy boat!