Peaceful Day on the Black Dog

We had a relaxing morning in Savannah, walking around Colonial Park. which is a Revelutionary War era graveyard that was converted to a park with many interesting historic markers. We also swung by Forsythe Park, which is a very scenic area. As we made our way back to the boat, we stopped at the Sixpence Cafe to sip lager and lime in the shade, and feast on bangers and mash and shepard's pie. We also found the little brewery/pub where they served us an excellent sweet potato beer three years back. But we were one day early for that beer. So sad. We went down the river with the tide. and sailed a little in the mouth of the river before heading up the intra coastal to Hilton Head. We did happen across a beautiful gaff rigged charter boat and had a pleasant exchange with her captain. Tonight we are at anchorage off of Hilton Head, and will arrive in Beaufort tomorrow, where we will leave
the boat.

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A Long Night

This will be a nessecarily short entry because we are exhausted. The winds shifted on us last night, extending our trip until 9 AM. We took turns at the helm., an hour and a half on and an hour and a half of sleeping in the cockpit. We rested for a couple of hours in Beaufort. and feeling refreshed, we headed down to Savannah by way of the Intracoastal. where we were treated to the sight of a bald eagle in the wild. We went ashore in Savannah and promptly located McPherson's Scottish Pub and Grill. The food was amazing. but a good meal allowed the last evenings extended sail to catch up with us. It will be an early night.

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Sunset At Sea

After overnighting in Charleston, we reprovisioned and set back out to sea. Just two of us now. We left the dock at 1 PM, but the winds did not favor us initially, and we considered an anchorage in the North Edidsto River. However the winds picked up around 4;30 or 5, so we decided to use that and trek all the way to Beaufort! We were rewarded with.a.beautiful sunset over the South Carolina coast. Although the winds are good. the swells are low, so we were able to cook dinner underway (yay...no sandwiches). We are now quietly making our way south.enjoying the view we have.of the stars and the Milky Way. Off on the horizon the moon is just beginning to rise. We anticipate anchoring at 1 AM, but are content to pass the time enjoying the view.

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A Charleston Respite

We woke up early this morning to some pretty intense rain, which would come and go throughout the day. We quickly prepared the boat (and ourselves) for foul weather, and pulled up the anchors, bidding farewell to McClellanville.

While enroute to the open sea, we encountered some playful dolphin, swimming about in the wake of our bow, but they did not follow us out to the ocean, which should tell you something of the intelligence of dolphins over men.

The weather and sea presented us with challenges, but it all made for a good day of sailing. We all worked together, and the boat ran in good form. We all got in some good practice trimming the sails and manning the helm, and we made excellent time to the mouth of the channel that leads to Charleston Harbore, where the wind promptly died on us. As it turned out, it was just a little calm before the next rain squall moved in us. So we got a little soaking again, but the wind did come back for us.

Once in the harbor, we went under power to make best speed back to the dock. Action Figure Bill was flying back to NJ today, so a trip to the airport was also on the schedule, and timing was important.

In addition to losing Bill today, we also said goodbye to Fourth Crewmember Bob, who needed to get back home. So tomorrow, it will be just Dr Bob and I sailing south to St Helena Sound, where we intend to anchor for the night, and hopefully link up with Bob's father, Clive.

But for tonight, we enjoyed a little rest in Charleston, with dinner at the South End Brewery on East Bay St. An amazing dinner, and a great selection of locally brewed beer. And to finish it off, some signature pecan pie from Kaminky's.

A great night of shore leave, for tomorrow we sail again!

McCllellanville

Last night was one of the best sails ever! The full moon gave us plenty of light, and the wind was solid enough to allow us to make 8 knots up the coast. By this morning we were anchoring off Geargetown (see pictured the un-named island where we buried our pirate loot). After breakfast and a brief rest, we left with the tide without making landfall in Georgetown. The winds were not favorable, so we were under power most of the day. This evening, we slipped through the channels and cuts to McClellansville (not named for the famous Civil War general). While we did not land there, we did a little tour by boat, and talked to a few interesting local fisherman, and a fellow who is kayaking up the coast. We have anchored near town, and were forced to put up the mosquito netting since the flies were so bad. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be the pits, but we will continue back to
Charleston to get Bill to the airport.

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First Day Out With the New Sails

It was an all around good day. Dr Bob, Action Figure Bill, and I slept on.the boat last night so that we good get a good start this morning on some last minute pre-voyage tasks. Having taken care of those things, we cast off around 1 PM. The winds were initially poor, but once we cleared Ft Sumter, the wind kicked up and we had a great afternoon sail. We are now at anchor off Isle of Palms, and have dispatched Dr Bob in the dinghy to retrieve a 4th crewman. After dinner, we plan to resume sail, and make an over night passage to Georgetown (SC). It looks to be a good night for it.

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It was an all around good day. Dr Bob, Action Figure Bill, and I slept on.the boat last night so that we good get a good start this morning on some last minute pre-voyage tasks. Having taken care of those things, we cast off around 1 PM. The winds were initially poor, but once we cleared Ft Sumter, the wind kicked up and we had a great afternoon sail. We are now at anchor off Isle of Palms, and have dispatched Dr Bob in the dinghy to retrieve a 4th crewman. After dinner, we plan to resume sail, and make an over night passage to Georgetown (SC). It looks to be a good night for it.

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Lemonade, 50 Cents

Last week I spoke of a ride inspired by the efforts of Frank Schleck and the prospect of being chased down by Action Figure Bill. But for every great ride a guy (or gal) has, there is a price to be paid. Yesterday, I paid.

It started out as just another after work ride. I was looking at doing what has turned into the "usual loop", then Bill drops the line on me, "You're getting pretty well adapted to this loop. We need to mix it up a little. It'll be good for you!"

I was feeling good, so I ignored the classic "it'll be good for you" warning sign. It wouldn't be long before I would regret this blunder.

It was the usual route at first, until we got around Fayson Lakes, and we did...THE TURN!! I got the overall description of the new leg of the ride, and was informed that I had two hard climbs to look forward to. And sure enough, we came to a hill. As I struggled up over the hill (literally and perhaps metaphorically), AFB rode by me like I was standing still and yelled over, "This isn't one of the hard ones".

And he was right. The next one was MUCH harder. I dug deep down into my reserves to muster up the energy to enquire if this was one of the hard ones. Fortunately (I think), it was. As we crested the hill, there was a lemonade stand with a sign saying LEMONADE 50 Cents. Sadly, it was unattended. And I can tell you, some little kid missed a big sale, because I was prepared to throw down a five and say "Keep that sugar water coming!!"

We had a little teaser of a down hill, and then back up. This was the second hard climb. The difficulty wasn't so much in the grade as it was in the duration. Every time I thought I was at the top, my enthusiasm was beat down by the sight of another pitch up. Somewhere in this climb, Action Figure Bill graciously parted with the last of his Nuuns and a couple of shot blocks, which was manna from Heaven at that point. And eventually the climb did end, and we were back on the original course. From there, we still had a fair bit of riding to do, but we put foot to pedal and finished it out.

Fortunately for me, I made it to town just before Nature's Enerqi closed, so I could grab my power ball and an iced tea to pull me the rest of the way home, where I proceeded to collapse. They say that which does not kill you makes you stronger. I have hopes.

I Want to Be Frank Schleck When I Grow Up!!

Today was one of those days where what started out as a ride disaster turned into by best solo ride of the year so far. If it was a solo ride, why is it the Waffler's Blog? Because although he did not ride, Action Figure Bill was a driving force.

I had wanted to ride today because I had two big inspirations from the Tour de France today: Frank Schleck doing a heroic ride in support of his brother, Andy, and Thor Hushovd serving the Manx Mouth, er Missile, Mark Cavendish a tall glass of shut up. Bill was not able to ride, but urged me on to the road. And so I eventually set out. Five miles in to the ride, I reached for my water bottle for a drink, and realized that I had left something very important at home. You guessed it! There was no way I could do twenty-three miles with no water. I was ready to turn it around and go home, but as a last ditch effort, I put in a call to Action Figure Bill for some Waffler Team Car assistance. He was not quite home from his errands, but he said he would stop at his house, snag a water bottle, and me me along the route. All of a sudden, it was on!

Now, don't get the idea that I thought I was going to beat Bill in his car, but I just wanted to be farther along than he would be expecting when he caught up with me. I figured I could at least make it to the top of the big hill at Kinnelon before my water drop. So I dropped the hammer, and took off. I made great time to the base of the hill, and as I started the climb, i couldn't tell if it was from the exertion or the excitement of the chase. Every time I heard a car behind, I was checking to see if it was Bill. All of a sudden, I was Frank Schleck climbing the Col de la Colombiere. And when I crested the climb and still did not see the car, any pain from the climb was flushed away, and I threw myself back into the frantic pace.

When I came around the lakes, I was torn between the thrill of not having been caught by the team car,, and concern for lack of water since I was getting a bit dry in the throat. Bill caught up just at the right time, handed me one water bottle and doused me with another, and I got back on the pace. Because it was getting a little dark, Bill tracked me the rest of the way back, and hopefully got a few good pix. And this ride was wrapped up with a 15.3 MPH average pace, and two slices of pizza.

And that's how a ride started as a disaster, and wound up wild! (for me at least)