So many cruising friends! 

I'll have a big piece!

Lots of surprises! Friends from way back.

 

Charleston to Marathon

I thought before I start my blog again, (well, I guess this is an official restart) I would give you a quick trip to where we are now. We had a great trip South, and I didn't want to leave you out, or leave you up North in the cold, so jump on board and let's get your butts down to the beautiful Keys playground and warmer weather.
The numbers are in, and we have traveled over 4800 NM since we left Marathon in late March and arrived here a few days ago.
You may need to click on "older posts" to see all the pictures.

September Song (hang on, it will be a quick trip) out
Bob


One of our favorite legs is through the gorgeous Waccamaw river South Carolina.

Pictures can never do this area justice.

 

The Waccamaw is home to tons of wildlife. The most beautiful are the eagles. What a thrill to see them swoop down and grab fish.

We had a chance to catch up with our good musician friend Bil Krauss. He was playing at a marathon in Georgetown SC. Bil didn't run that day, because he wasn't feeling up to it. A couple of days later he ended up in the hospital. You will be glad to know he has made a full recovery. We look forward to seeing him in Key West for New Year's. OH, I didn't tell you? We are taking September Song to Key West for New Years

I don't know if this was a sunset or sunrise over one of our anchorages, but it was beautiful.

On the Charleston waterfront enjoying a walk. I think you can see what else I am enjoying!

We wanted to check out some of the grass baskets this lady had made, but didn't want to wake her up from her nap.

Always fun to walk the streets of Charleston and see all the beautiful old homes.

 

 

While we were docked at the Charleston Maritime Center, two Canadian warships came in. 

Joe and Julia (Sea Pearl) arrived a couple of days after we did, and we played our way to Stuart together.

If you look close, you can see two baby dolphins trying to keep up with mom.

Hi momma!

We stopped in Savannah for dentist appointments, business things, and to let hurricane Sandy pass us by. That's September Song, docked next to a huge yacht. We looked it up on line. You can charter her for a week for 300,000.00 plus food, fuel, dockage, and tips. We are about one fourth her size. HMMM!
 ??$$$??

This lady has been playing at one of our favorite bar/restaurants for God only know how long. She is in her 80's. What a neat lady!

The Savannah waterfront.

Our next stop was Brunswick, GA. for fuel and an overnight stay. Several of our cruising friends were also there waiting to head South. William and Judy, Bob and Katie, Richard and Jill, and Joe and Julia, who were traveling with us. It was great to get together with all of them. We will see them all again in the Marathon playpen.

St. Mary's is home to some of the US sub fleet. That patrol boat is there to make sure we don't get to close.

Cassie, talking to the dolphins.

A dolphin, looking up at Cassie and talking back.

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, and the Christmas decorations are already up. Down South, they don't hang them from the street lights. They hang them from the palm trees. No white Christmas here!

I love this no parking sign!

The four of us stopped in Cocoa for a short visit with Doug and Tammy. This was just before the election when the president was crisscrossing the nation. He did a fly over for us in Cocoa.

Bar hopping with Doug and Tammy. It was a short visit, but we will see them in the Keys several times. OH did I mention, we are taking September Song down to Key West for Doug's 60th Birthday which is December 31st. We usually do our Key Weird Christmas with them every year, but this year it's going to be New Years. YIPPEE! Can't wait.

Our next stop was Stuart. Can't go to Stuart without going for sushi with sushi Steve and Di.

Another beautiful boat!

The sushi walrus.

Always great to see our favorite bartender, Shawnee, just a short walk (stumble) up the dock to Sailors Return.

The bars on the swim platform are called staples. I ordered them several weeks before we got to Stuart where they were made. If you remember, I had an accident in the Islands and broke three ribs getting out of the tender and on to the swim platform in rough weather. Not any more! I guess September Song is now "handicap accessible".

While in Stuart, Stephanie's brother, Eric, and his life partner of 29 years, Rob, came for a visit for three days. She hasn't seen them for twenty some years, and I had never met them. They lived in Alaska, and moved to Florida this past year. What a weather shock! What a great couple of guys!

 

With Eric, Rob, and some of their friends.

Thanksgiving day, we went to Julia's sister Rosie's house again this year. Thanks Rosie!

 

 

Another beautiful day on the ICW. It was a nice day also!