Dec. 5th....arrived in Fernandina, Fl. and picked up a mooring. Finally cockpit open and shorts on. STM 716.7. Beautiful weather and after going to local fish market had a delicious dinner of swordfish and local shrimp. Was so tasty. The night was very calm on the mooring with not much wind. Mooring was $21.
Dec. 6th we left very early to go at higher tide to avoid shoal leaving Fernandina Harbor. We had long run to Rockhouse Creek, at Ponce Inlet STM 842.3. This anchorage is right off Bob's sister's and husband Fred's home. Finally made it for a visit we had hoped to do for Thanksgiving. She had frozen the complete dinner and we enjoyed thanksgiving with family the next night after arriving. Was soooo good! The dogs got along perfectly with her dog Tink and that was a blessing. I also took opportunity to shampoo and shave both dogs. Norman loved it, much cooler. This was Sophie's first hair cut and she did great and looks fabulous. Kept it about 2 in. length this time.
Now for the sad news...we had to dinghy into a neighbors sandy beach, unfortunately the edges had rocks covered in oysters. Bob hauled it in our second day there and boom! Sliced a pontoon and there went the dinghy. We were stuck at the house for two days while we worked things out. Great to be "stuck" with family. We ended up buying off Craig's list a hard dinghy, West Marine rowing tender 9'4". Got a good deal on it. We were not sure the inflatable was repairable. We found a guy who did repair it for $225. We ended up stay the week here and now we have two dinghies. After much work it was put on top of the boat today to carry with us. I am having problems seeing over it so hope it works out. After we tow the other dinghy and see how it tows will decide about which one to use. I am enjoying the full hard dinghy! Maybe we will sell one in Boot Key but Bob thinks he wants both. I'm not happy traveling with the one on the deck but we'll see how it goes and decide later. The dogs seem to love the hard tender better too.
We have had a great week here with family and going to disappearing Island where the dogs can run free and go in the water. The best time so far on this trip south. Tomorrow after 11 days here we will again resume our trip south.

Nov. 29th we opted to go to Ladies Island instead of Beaufort, SC. It is just before the Ladies Island bridge at STM 539.9. After attempting to anchor, we found the current extremely strong and the area very narrow near homes, we called Ladies a Island Marina which we were just past and were pleased to find it was only $1/ ft and free laundry! A long outside floating dock was available so we grabbed it! The dock master Steve was very welcoming along with his wife Gloria. They told us about a local place having porterhouse steak dinners for $10 and they saved seats for us. We joined them and others from the dock for a great steak, we had a fabulous time! They loaned us a car the next day so we could shop and we did a group pot luck up at the marina with chili being the main item. Steve and I each cooked large pots of chile for the event. Jr & Drena brought there boat into the dock and Rebecca and Brian arrived on there catamaran in time for dinner. Another couple we got to meet in person that I met on WWS. Was a crowd of maybe 18 people and we had a wonderful evening of food, drink and great conversation with other sailors. We ended up staying here for 3 nights so I could get time in Beaufort. We borrowed the car and had a few hours enjoying the wonderful city and the quaint shops.
Georgia:
Dec.2nd we sadly but happily left the dock and anchored for the night in Turner Creek STM 585.6 just past a Shrimp boat dock. Boat held great, swung with the current. There was a boat launch we dinghy'ed to with the dogs and had a quiet peaceful evening.
Dec. 3rd we went into the Wahoo River to anchor in a beautiful spot. STM 630. We totally enjoyed a beautiful sunset but the rough shore landing was almost impossible fir landing with the dogs. We had to walk in mud and wash the dogs when we returned. Opted to skip morning walk. Probably will not go there on return trip. Best part is we have been riding the current so far through Ga. and staying mid to high tide so no issues traveling. Finally feeling the warmth too!
Dec. 4th we went to Morning Starr, Golden Isle Marina and took a dock. Last time here was my birthday, restaurant was closed and I did laundry. This time we went to restaurant at the marina fir happy hour and gad the best dinner ever. I had a milk Choc beer with appetizer then a great Dr. loosened Riesling with dinner. Scallop's with local shrimp cooked in pistachio butter served over ginger butternut squash . It was a wonderful evening! Totally enjoyed our stay this time.

Nov. 21st we took a dock at Barefoot Landing for $1.50/ft. We enjoyed Happy Hour and good Sushi at the Flying Fish and then the best ice cream ever at something called "Moo". Was dark chocolate creamy and soft. Yummy!
Nov. 22nd we enjoyed fall foliage as we made way with the current and anchored in Thoroughfare Creek STM 388.8. Beautiful Sandy sides to dinghy to for wonderful walks with Sophie and Norman ( our dogs). We grilled some wonderful steaks for dinner and enjoyed a peaceful evening. In the morning all the local duck hunters came by heading out in camo dress and camo boats to hunt ducks. They never waked the boat. We really enjoyed this anchorage. Sophie now jumps in and out of the dinghy like a champ.
Nov. 23rd due to weather and winds we took a dock in McClellanville at Leland Oil Co. For $1.50/ft. Great fuel prices too. Good floating docks and great night of rest.
Nov. 24 thru the 27th we stayed at Isle of Palm Marina deciding to avoid Charleston due to very high winds 30-40 knots gusts and very cold temp. We stayed on the fuel dock for $1.50/ft and our friend who we meet in BootKey Harbor our last trip south drove down to meet us from his home in SC. We had a great time seeing him again and had dinner out together. The few days there were so cold. Heavy rain and tornado watch all one evening. Luckily we never saw one near us. We celebrated Bob's 73rd birthday, Nov. 26, on the boat with a great breakfast and for dinner he wanted the left over beef stew I had made in the crock pot the day before. Great meal for such a cold night! Even walking the dogs was hard because of the strong cold winds but they did enjoy being on a dock.
Nov. 28th Thanksgiving! We finally able to get off the dock and make way south again. We meet up with S/V Journey with JR & Dreana ( meet her on FB with WWS- ICW group) in the Charleston Harbor and we both anchored in Steamboat Creek STM 496.7. We had them over and we did a joint pot luck Thanksgiving feast together. It was really nice to share the evening with new acquaintances. Made the holiday much better as we all were missing family so much. The meal was great and the company was fun to be with. Long dinghy ride to boat launch to walk dogs and strong current for the dinghy. The anchorage was great with good holding and it just rode with the current.

From Nov.11th thru Nov. 17th we stayed at Sailcraft while Bob took the windless apart. With help from Earl getting motor out, he and Karen came to visit knowing Bob could use some help, we had it tested and it works fine. Problem was the solenoid and the foot switch. Both needed replacing. Luckily David and Margaret came to visit and David helped Bob put motor back in. Bob had parts overnighted on two different days because switch worked when first tested but on retest before he was going to reinstall it was intermittent. Thankfully he checked it again. When putting it all back together a wire connection came apart at terminal and that had to be fixed. Such is life owning a boat.
Finally on Nov. 18th we decided to get on with our trip south. As luck would have it water was out of the harbor and we grounded getting out channel. No problem, that's why we'd have Tow Boat who towed us all the way out the channel! We headed out 10AM and got to Swansboro and took a dock just at Sunset due to high winds. Dudley's Marina, only $32 a night! And they drove us to restaurant for dinner that night. Bad thing was it was very low tide. The dock boy pulled the bow way in and caused the boat to scrap along mussel covered pilings and gauged the hull all up. We just had the hull all redone from our last trip south and day two we have the same problem all over again. Well now that is behind us the next one won't feel too bad!
Nov. 19th We got up before sunrise and headed out to Wrightsville Beach. Winds predicted to be 15 to 20 but mostly were about 10 so we motored with just front sail out. Arrived and anchored by 4PM! Only missed last bridge by 5 to 10 minutes so had to wait an hour for next opening. We anchored by the bridge in Banks channel on ocean side in 18 feet. Winds were 20knots through the night N and NE and boat held great. There are 3 dinghy docks next to the bridge on same side. Worked out great to walk dogs. Beautiful sunset that night also. Many boats anchored there but plenty of room for all. Did not take time to enjoy town but did walk the dogs. Because of winds and first and only night there I didn't feel comfortable leaving boat until I knew boat was anchored solid for the high winds predicted. Look forward to going there on return trip and staying a couple of days.
Nov. 20th. Up at 7AM to head in for fuel and pump out....how wonderful to have a working windless! Very cold windy morning. We were done and underway at 9AM today and were riding the Ebb tides, tides going out, in the Cape Fear River so we made great speed and time. At Snow Cut we went 7knots through it. Bridge had very high tide so only 63 ft clearance, the minimum we needed to make it under thankfully! In Cape Fear River we were at 7 to 8 1/2 knots, really cruising! We arrived at 12:30 in Southport and docked on the free, 24hr., town dock across from the great restaurants. We had a fabulous dinner at Fishy Fishy's. Winds still blowing and cold again. Looking forward to great night of sleep on a dock where if high winds is preferred over an anchor. I tend not to sleep well on anchor when winds kick up.

Nov.9.2013: Colleen-Mae finally left the dock to begin our journey South hoping to get up Gulf side of Florida as far as Venice,Fl. We got later start then planned so we could not make it to Adam's creek before sunset so we went up South River a few miles before the ICW route south. We were not disappointed either! What a wonderful place to drop anchor in 9to10 feet of water. Excellent holding off town of Lukens. There is an old well kept and still used cemetery with a dock with plenty of water to dinghy into, walk the talks and take a nice walk. This is where it got interesting. Was my first time using lift to get Sophie into the dinghy and she slipped out of her life vest. Luckily Bob caught her. After listing for help on the SSCA site, Ed Scherwin posted about long hair causing problems and it helped me know what the problem was. After thinking about it, yes I do that at times LOL, I came up with plan to wrap non skid around her under the life vest and problem was solved. She learned to jump back onto the boat and I'm sure she will soon jump into it.
We attempted to haul anchor next morning to get into Beaufort.NC and get set for offshore on Monday. Well plans do change when sailing and we found the windless not working and unable to get anchor up. Bob worked on it to find the problem and next morning he used manual mode to haul it up. Came up nicely and with bad weather, wind up to 35knots predicted for next two days headed to Oriental and Sailcraft Marina to allow time for parts to be delivered, Bob to install and if needed backup support here at marina.
Winds did come and it was great to be set dock. Our friends Earl and Karen came down and a Earl helped Bob get motor out if the windless to get it checked.that part works. Selonoid and start button don't. So we will be here a couple more days and hopefully be underway again by Sat. the 16th.
Our good friends David and Margaret will be bringing our windless motor back today a long with our mail and we will enjoy lunch with them today. Will post again after we make progress. David was also a big help getting the motor reattached. Blessed to have such good friends.

Bob is busy adding WiFi and Cell phone boosters to the boat to aid in best communicating with family and friends. It's quite the project but will be worth it on our sailing trip to allow the best connections for phone and data updates such as weather, charts and tides.