Beaufort By The Sea

We got up this morning to 40 degree temperatures inside the boat, so we went back to bed for an hour. It did not significantly warm up in that time. I lost the coin toss, and got up to make coffee. Since the wind was poor, we headed to Beaufort anchor, and knock about there for the day. After dropping the hook, we took the dinghy to the local marina to have lunch at Hemmingway's. If you ever dine there, try the french onion soup. I thought it was great, and Bob informs me that it is every bit as good as that at Rue De Jean in Charleston, which I understand is noted for it's onion soup. Beaufort is like a quieter version of Charleston, so it was fun just looking around at interesting houses, and absorbing some history. We finished up are visit with a cup of coffee at the Common Ground. As we headed back to the marina, we admired a lot of nice sail boats anchored near us, and Bob took the
opportunity to quiz me on different types of rigging.

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Open Sea

We were up by 7 this morning for a quick breakfast at the Cobblestone Cafe, which I don't highly recommend, and we were underway from Savannah by 8:15 this morning. We made good time down the river, and were in the open seas by a half hour before noon! The wind started off light, but picked up soon enough, at we had a memorable sail. It got a little cold, and we had to navigate some rough water and a rain sqall or two, for which we broke out the foul weather gear. But cruising a long at eight knots makes it all worth it. We sailed back in to Port Royal Sound to drop anchor behind Hilton Head Island. A good 40 mile sail. Right now the winds are howling, and the temperature is supposed to be in the high twenties, so it will be an interesting night. But tomorrow promises to be another great day.

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Savannah!

We tied up at just about noon today at the city dock. After securing the boat and lunch at a non descript pub, we headed up to the muninciple building to pay the docking fee. We spent the afternoon roaming around town, as well as some boat maintenance. This evening, we headed to the Pirate House for a drink. This establishment is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, it has shanghai tunnels that were used back in the day, and were recently rediscovered. It was also the dwelling of notorious pirate Captain Fitch, who died there, and whose ghost is said to be one of many haunting the place. Local legend says that author Robert Louis Stevenson met the Captain there one night during a visit to the US, and that the Captain beame the inspiration for Stevenson's Treasure Island. Afterwords, we stopped at Churchill's Pub for some British fare for dinner. Tomorrow we will leave Savannah
against the tide, and run down the river to the ocean. We hope the winds are favorable for us.

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Weigh Anchor

Today was a great start. We left on the changing tide at just about twelve, which worked well in our favor. And although there was no wind when we set out, it was waiting for us at Port Royal Sound, at we made it from there to our anchorage under the force of the wind. The temperature is a little chilly, but we don't care so much about that. It is just good to be underway. Tomorrow, we will be off at first light, to take advantage of the rising tide. And them...Savannah!

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Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale...

The charts have been consulted, the gear has been loaded in the car, and the provisions have been accounted for. This is no three hour tour.

I arrived in Charleston yesterday evening, after a bit of a delay at Newark Liberty Airport. I was very happy to step outside at Charleston Municaple Airport. There was a warm breeze blowing, and I always imagine I can smell the sea from there. Bob was there to greet me, and even though it was late, we headed down for a late dinner at 82 Queen, where I enjoyed a dish of shrimp and grits, which had long been on my mind. Afterwards, we enjoyed the evening just by walking around town a bit, and then heading to the Southend Brewery and Smokehouse for a libation (the night air being dry and all). The beer is all made on premises, and if you ever get there, try the Southend Brown. I can give this one a personal recommendation. There is also a ghost story associated with the place, however the barkeep with whom I spoke had no personal experience of the ghost.

Today we headed to a sale at West Marine, to stock up on some boating gear that we felt we might need. And afterwards, Bob, Ronda, and I returned to Downtown Charleston to walk about the historic district and visit a few interesting galleries. We stooped by the Blind Tiger Pub to rest a little before hosting friends Dennis and Annie for a hastily thrown together cookout. We may have put it together hastily, but the food was good and so was the company. Hopefully Dennis will be able to drive down and meet us in Savannah. Soon we will finish watching the traditional pre-sail showing of "The African Queen".

Tomorrow morning, we will get up early for a drive down to Beaufort, where the boat is currently docked. Our plan is sail down close to Savannah and spend the night at anchor, then tie up in Savannah Tuesday morning. We will knock around town for a day, and then leave Wednesday morning for the ocean, where we will do some deep water sailing, and spend our nights at a suitable anchorage. We plan to be back in by Friday evening, and are planning a good nights entertainment for Saturday night in Charleston.

I will update this as I can during the trip, so check back occasionally if you like. I hope to be blogging you all soon.

This All Seems Familiar Somehow

Back when I first started road biking, a good friend told me to get a bike computer with a cadence meter. If you don't know what cadence is, don't feel bad, I had to have it explained to me as well. In a nutshell, it is how fast you pedal. And if you already knew that, my apologies for back tracking. I got the cadence meter and was told, "Don't let your cadence drop below 80 RPM"

Now, my frame is what I like to describe as being of heroic proportions, and it was easier for me to pedal slower in a harder gear than to spin the pedals faster, so for later computers, I opted to save money by eliminating the cadence feature.

This fall, I got a trainer for the bike in order to try and get a jump on the spring season. Biker Bill was kind enough to let me keep the trainer set up at his house, and we committed to doing training rides twice a week. Bill shelled out for the entire Carmichael Training Series (Chris Carmichael was one of Lance's trainers. I know this because he casually mentions it several times each DVD). And low an behold, they are back to talking about cadence. I couldn't escape it.

So just before last nights trainer ride, Bill (graciously and without complaint) installed an inexpensive Cat Eye Cadence computer. It took about a half an hour, and I am quite sure it was the last thing he wanted to be doing. It made a difference in the ride. I can only say to all the big boys out there, learn to ride cadence. I can also say, "Thanks Bill!"

Happy Holidays...From the Wafflers

Well, it's that time of year; the partying, the gift giving, and the wishing for a full stack of waffles. Wouldn't that be a gift!

I had an interesting story come my way recently, not of a holiday theme, but something humorous, and appropriate for this blog, because it concerns whiskey. As you may or may not know, the Wafflers profess an appreciation for, and desire the occasional taste of, a fine single malt scotch whiskey. Now it so happens that there once a man names Noah S. Sweat (Jr to be specific) who also had an opinion of whiskey. This man was a distinguished member of the bar, a respected judge, a law professor, and, to top it all off, a representative to the state legislature in the State of Mississippi. In 1952, he shared is opinion of "the water of life" with the state legislature in this now historic speech. If only today's politicians were so forthright and honest. The speach unfolds as follows:

"My friends,
"I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.
"If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.
"But;
"If when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.
"This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise."

Happy Holiday's from the Wafflers. We hope this season gets you full of the holiday spirit, but please don't drive when you are.