And there she goes! It was a great first “season”on Godspeed. We have learned a lot about her and her capabilities! Looking forward to the next chapter!

We remained at Charleston Harbor Marina for 3 weeks trying to figure out the best way to get Godspeed to the Caribbean. We hired a Captain and then decided with the weather patterns the way they were, and some minor boat repairs/upgrades that we needed to make, it was time to take a step back and re-evaluate. We decided to put the boat up on the hard in a yard in Beaufort, NC until October/November. Then we will take Godspeed to the Caribbean! Two nights ago we anchored out S of Georgetown and were treated by several pods of dolphins that came right up to our boat and put on quite the show for us! Sorry I can’t post video! See my FB page!

In Charleston, SC. It has been relaxing! Today we were told of an island nearby that is a “spoil” area. This is an island of sand and shells that is made from an area that has been dredged. We took our tender “Rani” over across the harbor and walked the shoreline...lots of oyster shells...and sharks teeth! We found 2 big ones, a medium sized one and 2 little ones. We did a little picnic lunch of PB and Js and then came back to Godspeed. She is such a pretty boat!

As the sun begins to set each night and just before sunrise, the birds (black skimmers, happy gulls, pelicans, cormorants, and crows) all gather on the breakwater in Charleston to chat. They carry on for a few hours. “Taps” is played on a trumpet from the “Yorktown” aircraft carrier museum nearby, but the birds pay no attention! We are in Charleston Harbor at a marina.

The last 2 nights have been spent in back creeks on the ICW. We knew last night was going to be stormy, so we prepared the best we could. We had thunder and lightening and gale force winds. Once we clocked the wind at 45 knots! Godspeed was whistling and shaking...as I think we were too! It was NOT a good night sleep! Today we motored through the Ben Sawyer Memorial swing bridge and then up the the North Channel in Charleston, SC to Charleston Harbor Marina where it is windy and wild too! At least we are tied to a dock inside a breakwater! This aircraft carrier in the pic is right next to the marina. We took the free shuttle van into town and walked for a while and had lunch. Another beautiful old town!

Today we walked into Historic Georgetown. What a beautiful city! The morning was so calm at the dock, as shone in the pic. When we came back after lunch, with the wind and the current, it was a different place! Lots of chop! Tom washed the deck of Godspeed and I worked on understanding the SSB(single side band) radio. It was great to get some exercise!