4/23 Charleston, SC - Bald Head Island, NC

145 mi., 6 1/2 hrs.
Sunny, SW winds 10-15 MPH, mid 80's, 2-4 ft waves

Amanda arrived on the boat Sat afternoon, got her gear stowed, we went to dinner and to bed early in anticipation of an early start this morning. We have both been so looking forward to this that we were frustrated with the delay getting started and were ready to leave.

We started the engines about 8:oo AM and headed toward the ocean hoping to avoid the delays in the ICW; but not really sure what the Atlantic had in store for us. As we turned into the channel and out the jettys we passed an incoming freighter and the waves kept building. After a couple of hard waves shaking us up a little we began to have 2nd thoughts about going off shore; but once we turned north out of the channel and the waves spaced out we hardly even noticed them. From there on for the rest of the day I was just overwhelmed.

With the GPS, chartplotter, radar, and autopilot we just set the course and went. It gives new meaning to the expression "standing watch"; because that's all we had to do. Watch.

It seemed that we were alone in the beautiful blue sea with a clear sky and gently rolling waves. Occasionally we would see another boat in the distance, or the shore would become visible on our port (that's left) then gradually disappear again. I was moved and humbled by it all.

It was so perfect that Amanda was with me on this first leg. She and I have started many of our adventures in life together and this was another that it was good to have her there with me. She always seems to have a calming effect that helps me. In short the perfect companion for a beginning.

We arrived at Bald Head Island, which is the southern tip of Cape Fear, about 2:00 PM and settled into a nice new and seeming empty marina in the isolated resort island. The marina was maybe half full and I think we were the only people staying aboard a boat. The island is largely a nature preserve and I got the feeling that we were sticking out in the ocean on a sand dune. Not a secure feeling in a strong blow; but for that night it was great.

After settling in and a little shore time we had a nice dinner in the restaurant and retired to prepare for the next day and get some sleep in a quiet harbor.

Day one was filled with fresh air, good food, beach music, good companionship, and an overwhelming awareness of the beauty of God. It just don't get any better than that.

Sat 4/22 Don't Go!! @*%^$

Well sanity won out. We stayed put and I'm glad we did.



The weather in Charleston was not bad and we second guessed ourselves; but as we talked to people up north and around Cape Fear & Myrtle Beach I guess they got hammered. It sure would have been a nervewracking start. Instead, I spend the day doing nothing. I just chilled out and walked around the marina (no car), had lunch with Bobbie, Terry, Amanda, and the kids. Amanda moved in and got settled in, we had an early dinner, and went to bed early in anticipation of an early start Sunday morning. All in all it was just what I need to get into the right frame of mind and spiritually grounded.

It all turned out just the way it should.

Set!

Like the little kid and his father in the Disney ad, I can't sleep.

It's been a hectic few days closing up things at home, driving here, and getting the boat ready; but at long last I think I'm as ready to start as I'll ever be. There is always something else to do but the gear is stowed, the galley is stocked, the filters are changed, the tanks are full (except for the holding which is empty), and the first day's route is programmed into the chart plotter. The rest is out of my hands. And there is the problem.

The weather forecast for tomorrow leaves a lot to be desired. Sitting here and watching the Weather Channel is either frightening, frustrating, or down right depressing. I'm not sure which. I just need to shut down this busy mind and face things as they are.

Oh well Amanda is going to call early and we'll make the call then. Hopefully it will be a safe and sane decision.

Ready?

Well it's just a few days until I load up the rental car and head for Charleston. I can really relate to the little kid in the Disney commercial that can't sleep. It's definitely becoming real. Real what I'm not sure.

Plans
The crews are pretty well set. Amanda to New Bern; Lois to Baltimore; Mike & Nichole to NYC (depending on Mike's new job); Bobbie, Terry, & Dean to Syracuse (with Rachel joining us in Albany); and Brad to Buffalo. From there I'm not sure what I'll do; perhaps I'll just give up boating and start playing golf.
Marina reservations have been made at each of the terminal locations, all of my airline tickets are confirmed, and we all have been researching the possible stops along the way. Most days should be less than 5 hrs motoring (except for the Erie Canal) with some time built in for delays for weather, mechanical problems, sight seeing, laundry, meetings, and mental health emergencies.

Boat
The painter was putting the new name on last Friday and reported that I was getting my monies worth, with a mechanic repairing the forward airconditioner and Larry patching the gel coat (someday I'll remember that there is a swim platform on the stern that I can't see from the helm). Additionally the electricians should be finished with the cosmetic work around the new radar, the diver should clean the bottom and replace the zincs this week, and Heath should be finishing the detailing. Thursday and Friday I'll clean the sea strainers, put in new filters, pack the gear and stock the groceries. Oh how I'm reminded of the old adage that a boat is a hole in the water....

Packing
My living room is looking more like Christmas than Easter with all the gear I'm taking down. With bedding, spare anchor, inflatable, charts, radios, toys & games, galley stuff, laptop, clothes, etc., I wonder if I should have used U-Haul instead of Hertz. I have no idea where I'll put all this "stuff" when I get to the boat. Perhaps I can convince Jason to convert his garage to a self-storage facility, otherwise I have this mental picture of the ICW looking like the wagon trails when the pioneers were traveling west in the 19th century.

And Finally a Home
I've been accepted in the Maumee River Yacht Club (Walbridge park) and have a dock assigned and waiting for me when I arrive. I regret that I'll miss the Commodores Ball since I'll be somewhere in the ICW near Atlantic City that evening, but I'm sure I'll have other opportunities to meet the membership.