Thursday, October 24, Day 107

We woke to clear skies and 54 degrees outside and 62 degrees inside the boat. The engine is taking many cranks to turn over and start, but is better than yesterday. We cast off Bentana at 725am with minimal current. It was so cold that Phil put gloves on at the helm! Our destination today is Turner Creek southeast of Savannah. It’s the closest anchorage and has a bus stop close to Hogans Marine. We started with a favorable current 0.4kts. By 1130am we entered Turner creek after we turned around after initially missing our turn continuing on Wilmington River. Phil realized his mistake quickly, so we didn’t go far out of our way. Near the entrance of Turner Creek, there is a sand bar about 5.5′ below our keel when we entered on a falling tide so we’ll need to make sure we exit at the right time. Here the tides range 8-9 feet as they were in South Carolina. If you look at a map of the United States, this part of the country goes further west then North Carolina and Florida creating a big bay so the water from the Atlantic Ocean is funneled into this part of the country causing the higher tides.

We decided to dock at Hogans Marine for a day to get the pumpout, water and showers. It would cost us $10 for tying up the dinghy and $5 each for showers so taking that away from the $1.50 per foot made it reasonable for us. After checking out the anchorage, Bentana decided to dock to. Oh BTW, the Publix Grocery store is just by their driveway, so that was convenient to go and not have to put groceries in the dinghy. We really liked how Bubba, manager of the Marina, put fresh water in the holding tank to flush it out, which is unusual we have found. Most of the time they just empty it and that’s it. I have taken to going down below and pumping the sea water through the toilet while the pump out is going on to flush out the pipes inside to help minimize the odor.

For whatever reason, Phil and I were tired and took naps. We did take advantage of the 1 shower in the ladies room but used by the men too, then taking advantage of electricity, we used the Flowbee for haircuts. Judy has hair clippers, so helped cut around my ears and trim the sides of my hair above my ears. Not nearly as good as Heather’s haircut, but better than hair falling in my eyes.

We cooked pork chops and potato packets on the grill supplied by the Marina and salad provided by Bentana. The no-see-ums were out, but Bubba was right that they didn’t bother us when we were on the screened porch even though there wasn’t screen on the doors. This Marina is mostly for power boats that are put in for the day and stored in multi level rack storage buildings when out of the water. I wish that I had taken photos of the boat lifts as they are up high, at least 8′ above the high tide water level! The marina isn’t really set up for transient boaters closing the office at 6pm, but they were friendly and did what they could for us.

Friday, October 25, Day 108

Early in the morning, Phil and I went to Publix for groceries and to warm up! I was freezing on the boat wanting to get our the propane lantern for heat, but I got warmed up enough inside the store to not need it when we got back. I bought a box of Pinot Grigio but had to wait until it was 9am before we could purchase it so we each has a pastry from their bakery and Phil had free coffee.

Back at the boat Bentana and we cast off at 1010am and were rafted off them by 1044am closer to the entrance of the creek and past the sand bar area. Ron Kent, the local SSCA Cruising Station host picked us up at Sail Harbor Marina after we docked the dinghy in from of SV Luna Sea owned by Mark and Jennifer P, whom we met through WWS FB group. Ron took us to Marandy’s Restaueant, a local southern food restaurant as a treat.

We had oxtails and boneless beef ribs over rice with veggies as they were representative according to the hostess of the local food. It was good and we had to take some home. Then in the afternoon Ron took us shopping at many various stores. If you belong to SSCA, I would recommend calling Ron as he was more than helpful and a great guy!

Saturday, October 26. Day 109

Today is the day that Phil and I were tourists in Savannah, GA. We drove the dinghy about a mile to Hogan’s Marine and walked to wait for the bus. It was running a little late, but once we were on everything went smoothly. Being close to Halloween there was a dog costume parade and trick and treating for the dogs so we we’re let out before our stop. No matter, we walked through some of the many public squares.

Looking at a map of the Historic district of Savannah, it looks like it would be big, but we found that the squares are small and every other street parallel with the river are like alleys that are at the back of the buildings and the main streets are along the front of the buildings, so it doesn’t take long at all to move from one square to another and get to the riverfront. Before we got to the riverfront, we walked to a yarn shop to get a pair of knitting needles to replace a set of bamboo ones that broke in the quarter berth. I have a work in progress so was glad to find a pair. Phil was glad that I didn’t buy any yarn!

Savannah by the river sits on a bluff, so periodically along Bay Street there are steps to get down to the River front.

We went down by the Custom House, walked down the street stopping at Bernies’s Oyster Bar for lunch. It is one room wide and deep like so many stores and restaurants in this area. We went in many stores window shopping. Then we walked to the “Waving Lady Statue” to catch the ferry that takes you back to where we started.

We walked to Juliette Gordon Low’s home. I was a Girl Scout for many years and when my girls were young, a Girl Scout leader for many years so was interested in seeing her home. Unfortunately, the exterior was under renovation and I didn’t want to pay for the tour, so consoled myself with getting many postcards of the rooms. Soon it was time for us to take the bus home and on the way to the bus station, stopped in the maritime museum gardens which were being set up for a wedding.

. We arrived home by 430pm, fixed a pasta sauce mix with canned meat and cauliflower then played Triominoes with Judy and Steve.

Tomorrow we plan to go into Forsythe Park for a Jewish food festival.