I've a little time this a.m. We were up before dawn, out of the slip at first light, and back in the slip when the sun came up. We had to make a hasty U turn when the engine temp starting rising and steam instead of water was coming out of the through hole on the stern. Joe just emptied out all the oil he had put in yesterday to get at the impeller. Two blades were chewed off.

Our guide says, "South Carolina is very different than North Carolina. You will notice immediately how much warmer it is." Well, 34 degrees is the same in both states. That was the temp this am. We are just south of Charleston.
Yesterday was amazing. We passed through the Cape Wildlife Refuge for 22 miles. It was morning and the birding was terrific. Hawks hunting, terns diving, a bald eagle being regal. Not to mention the ibis, pelicans, gulls, and hundreds of migrating song birds. What a treat on a frosty but clear sunny morning.

We are establishing more routines, getting better at seamanship each day. It is hard to say that the weather has been beautiful, knowing full well this area is in desperate need of rain. Let's just say we are enjoying the warmth of the sun but joining the locals in their hopes for clouds.