Downtown Charleston
07 November 2008 | Charleston, SC
Mike and Kathy
November 3rd, Monday Charleston, SC
Our computer doesn't seem to want to talk in the correct tone of voice to allow us to download the software necessary to run our XM radio. It is not a problem at this point but basketball season is rapidly approaching and things need to be organized. Not only that, but the Penn State football game may be one that needs our attention.
The tides here in the Ashley River are of note, luckily the holding seems to be great so even though there are gale warnings on the Ocean, we are comfortable here. We went to shore this afternoon and walked the streets of old Charleston. I had some happy-hour oysters at the "Noisy Oyster" before stopping at the grocery and heading back to the boat with only one pit stop.... at "Fine Lion" who has a slip at the City Marina.
It looks like weather will keep us here until Thursday. The low pressure system that is developing now will be gone by Wednesday but the seas will need a least a day to calm down before we head out again.
Nothing much is new with us ... there are friends here and we always have boat projects to do if we can't go ashore.
November 4th, Tuesday Charleston SC
With the current and wind I decided to not risk taking "Sapphire" over to the Megadock for fuel. Instead, I emptied our jerry cans and loaded them in the dinghy. Two trips would top off our tank with 16 gallons in reserve.
As I was about to leave Dave from "Fawkes" called asking for assistance bleeding his fuel line. He had replaced a filter and followed the directions for removing air from the lines but his engine refused to start. The system had return lines from both the high pressure pump and the injectors. (Maybe they all do?) Anyway once we figured out what was going on, we bled the system on the low pressure side of the fuel pump and then each of the injectors. The engine started on cylinder #3.
I was off for the fuel dock and picked up 16 gallons at under $3 for the second time in a month. I off-loaded that load and was back for more in about an hour. By then is was time to do something so we went to shore with the notion of walking into town. But as we approach shore it started to drizzle so we stopped at "Fine Lion" and hung out with them instead. We made plans to meet back there at 5:30 to take the Marina Shuttle into town for dinner.
We ended up at a Italian place called Mercato and had a wonderful meal. Even on a cool, cloudy, weekday night, downtown Charleston was hopping. We did a little shopping before calling a cab for a ride back to the marina.
The weather forecast calls for calming seas on Thursday so we are planning to take another overnight jaunt out in the Ocean and end up somewhere in northern Florida.
November 5th, Wednesday Charleston, SC
Happy Birthday Dave!
Mike cooked grits with cheese and poached eggs on top for breakfast. When in the south. . . . (it was really good). It was a cloudy, drizzly day so we packed up the laundry and took it to shore. Mike took the XM tuner to "Fine Lion" where he was going to work on it with Steve. After laundry and a successful download of the XM stuff, we headed back to the boat for lunch and readying the boat for another offshore trip tomorrow.
"Perseverence 2" drove by on their way to a slip at the Megadock and we decided to meet at the restaurant on shore at 5. "Estelle" also drove by to say Hi on their way to the dock. It's good to see old friends.
Mike got the radio put back together-everything works and the boat looks much better after having had the stereo torn apart for nearly a month. All neat and tidy. By the time all that was done, it was time to head back to shore.
We saw "Inspiration" and visited with them for a while. Then went with them to "Persevence 2" and headed for the restaurant to meet up with "Fine Lion". We had a nice time and headed back to the boats fairly early as we and "Fine Lion" had plans to leave at first light to head for Fernandina Beach. Our plans are to get fuel in Fernandina Beach, FL, then drive up to Cumberland Island, GA to explore the National Park and anchor there.