Chasing The Dream

27 December 2013 | Savannah, GA
19 December 2013 | Charleston SC
11 December 2013 | Beaufort NC
04 December 2013 | Elizabeth City, NC
04 December 2013 | Dismal Swamp Canal
03 December 2013 | Home - Norfolk, VA

Christmas in Savannah

27 December 2013 | Savannah, GA
Paul
We crossed into Georgia on Monday the 23rd and docked at Thunderbolt Marina just outside of Savannah where we plan to stay until after Christmas. The weather was warm and muggy as we pulled in so the first order of business was to plug in and turn on the AC to cool and dry out the cabin!

Thunderbolt is adjacent to Savannah, but nothing is close enough on foot and the bus line isn’t convenient, so we rented a car to sightsee and provision. On Christmas Eve we drove up and down Abercorn in search of our parts and supplies then drove downtown to check out the historic squares and waterfront on foot. We had a late lunch at Paula Dean’s ‘The Lady and Sons’ restaurant then drove out to Bonaventure Cemetery. It’s a creepy place but beautiful too with the sunlight slanting through Spanish moss that drapes the old live oak trees. Later in the afternoon we drove out to Tybee Island to see the town and lighthouse. It looks like a hoppin’ place in the summer but not so much this time of year.

The marina is full but quiet on Christmas Day, empty of almost all people except for just a few of us. Everyone else left their boats here to travel home for the holidays. We’re laying low today, relaxing and calling home. The weather turned cool again and a little wet so it’s nice to hunker in down below. We cook a turkey dinner on the boat with all the fixings – yum!

We stayed Thursday also, partly due to the weather; partly to complete some chores, run another load of wash, and add more provisions. This morning we're off to begin the 3-4 day trek to Florida.

Well Deserved Break

19 December 2013 | Charleston SC
Sherry
Charleston Maritime Center in Charleston SC, turned out to be a really good location. The historic area is within walking distance, including the market and trollies, and everything we need from laundry to provisioning is right here. The marina’s laundry is even free :) (big smiley face).

This is a great stop. We got to walk around the Battery and historic area, look at the Christmas decorations on all the old houses, went Christmas shopping, decorated the boat, and ate out a LOT. The weather is more pleasant here too. Jake and Ginger, the couple on the next boat over “Ginger’s Mercedes”, invited us out for happy hour and showed us all the good happy hour spots in the neighborhood.

Our first unplanned boat fix is here, our starting battery has died. We take the bus out to the West Marine for a replacement then lug it all the way back. You aren’t supposed to take car batteries on the city busses but the driver takes pity on us and we only have to lug it on foot for a half mile. Paul also had to change the oil here.

We’ve decided to spend Christmas in Savannah, GA.

Into the Cold

11 December 2013 | Beaufort NC
Paul
It's just too cold at anchor without a heater inside to keep us warm, so we are stopping at marinas to plug in more than planned. Elizabeth City was a nice break, but we spent the next three nights on the hook first in the Alligator River and then Bear Creek. A northeaster kept us pinned up in Bear Creek for two nights with the wind and rain. The sail from there to Beaufort was miserable with the wind and occasional drizzle slanting through the cockpit from behind.

We stop for several days in Beaufort, NC due to continuing weather and spend our time exploring the town and its historic sites, pubs and restaurants; and also doing 'cruiser' things like washing laundry and making a propane run.

It's nice to be plugged in with the heaters running. The temperature drops close to freezing (or lower) almost every night. Without heat, the temperature inside falls to 35-38 by morning. It’s also causing us a real problem with condensation.

We left Beaufort this morning headed south down Bogue Sound. Everything was covered with ice and frost as we left this morning. Our decks were slippery with ice for a couple of hours until the sun warmed them up.

Pasquotank River

04 December 2013 | Elizabeth City, NC
Paul
We tied up at the North Carolina Welcome Center at the VA/NC border last night at dusk. The dock was full but nobody was rafted. This is a great way to break up the transit of the canal.

The weather turned gray and dreary today but warmed up a little later on. We left the canal at the sough lock and entered the Pasquotank River bound for Elizabeth City for the evening. We pass through beautiful cypress swamp on the way downstream. The river runs deep from shore to shore and is one of the few in the area not silted and shallow in the upper reaches. The photo is of a bald cypress just above Elizabeth City.

Southbound at Last

04 December 2013 | Dismal Swamp Canal
Sherry
The Dismal Swamp Canal is as beautiful in the winter as in the spring! We appreciate the occasional warmth but for the most part the weather is COLD! Today isn't bad. The sun is out, the wind is calm, and it's a beautiful day for motoring down the canal. The photo shows the approach to the Deep Creek Lock.

Tehani Departs for her Shakedown Cruise

03 December 2013 | Home - Norfolk, VA
Sherry
Tehani pulled out of her slip in Deltaville, VA on Saturday November 30 after more than five years of planning and three of preparation. It was so bitter cold and blowing that we didn't stop to wash the decks. The wind and waves took care of all the pine straw for us as soon as we entered the Rappahannock River

We stopped in Norfolk to finish provisioning and complete some small upgrades, then closed up the condo and left ICW Mile Marker 0 on Tuesday December 3, 2014 headed south down the ICW.
Vessel Name: Tehani
Vessel Make/Model: Catalina 42
Hailing Port: Deltaville, VA
Crew: Paul & Sherry Davis
About: Paul & Sherry have been sailing actively since 2004, first aboard Phoenix, a Hunter 30, in the Chesapeake Bay and aboard Tehani since 2012 pursing their dream to sail to the islands of the Caribbean.
Extra: We're not only here for the weather, but it sure is more attractive than home!

Southbound 2015

Who: Paul & Sherry Davis
Port: Deltaville, VA