Charleston NC to Savannah GA

We came into Charleston Friday afternoon but waited a bit to go into the Safe Harbor marina due to the current.  We hung outside and came across these two, who look to have been there for awhile.  

We were docked toward the end of the original mega dock (pier), which is a half a mile walk to get to land.  Safe Harbor offers happy hour every Friday and Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30, free food and drinks.  Very nice!  

The marina also offered free shuttle service anywhere on the peninsula.  We stayed 2 nights.  Friday was a relaxing evening on the boat.  We did go into town Saturday night and had dinner at Virginias on King, specializing on low country cuisine.   

Charleston is home to may colleges and many of the kids were out, all dressed up and headed to parties.  Very fun seeing all the costumes! 

Found something fishing off the back of Cheers on our way back from town!

We left Charleston Sunday morning under cloudy skies and 69 degrees.  

We traveled with 3 other trawlers south toward Beauford SC.  We had 5 dolphins riding our wake for about 10 minutes.  

We anchored in Steamboat Creek, about half way to Beaufort.  The anchorage was quiet with a boat ramp just around the bend.  

This is a oyster farm just inside the mouth of Steamboat Creek.   

The next morning 10/28 we moved on to Beauford, SC.  We anchored there for 2 nights.  There is a very nice town dingy dock with a large park and just past that was the historical section with many shops and restaurants.  Tuesday night we had pizza at Hearth Wood Fired Pizza.  Delish.  

We left Beauford Wednesday morning making our way to Savannah, GA.  Yea! Another state closer.  We were looking forward to staying down town right in the middle of the parties and events for Halloween on Thursday.  We plan on being there until the end of the weekend.  I nice travel break.  

Savannah didn't disappoint!  The historic waterfront was busy with tourists enjoying all the restaurants, shops and pubs.  Not to mention the busy river!

Roxie liked it when the tide was high because she could hang out on the bow and watch the folks in town. 

We went for a nice long walk just beyond the historic district and found a historic cemetery, trees covered in moss and beautiful church.   

 

We had dinner at the Boars Head Grill and Tavern established in 1958.  It is located on the first floor of the former King Cotton warehouse that dates back to 1858!  It is the oldest restaurant on River Street.^[

Containership heading our just before dark. 

Headed out the next morning. 

Savannah to Charleston SC

Tuesday morning 5/7 we left Savannah, crossed into South Carolina, passing Hilton Head on our way to Beaufort, SC.  

We settled into the anchorage about 2:30, dropped the dingy and towed the paddleboard over to the beach.  Roxie had her first ride on the paddleboard and loved it.  After we got back and everyone had a shower, including Roxie, we made our way into town for dinner.  The courtesy docks were located right in the middle of town and was adjacent to a really nice park.  We ended up having dinner at Hearth Woodfired Pizza.  It was delish!

The next morning we had to wait until 9:30 for the bridge opening before we could move on.  Bill took Roxie into town for a nice walk.  

This is a swing bridge...we haven't seen one of these for a long time!

There are so many dolphins!  We have seen more dolphins in GA and SC than we have seen anywhere else!

More low country......

Wednesday we had a 8 hour ride to the Sylvan Shores anchorage.  Not a whole lot here, so we had to take Roxie to the shore which was muddy of course.  We did get to see millions of tiny crabs running from us.  It took a few minutes for Roxie to see them but when she did she chased them!

The crabs were super fast and they are hard to see in the picture but they are along the edge of the grass climbing up the little hill......they are the shiny things in the middle.    

Our ride on Thursday was only an hour and a half and we docked in Charleston at 10am at Safe Harbor City Marina.  Unfortunately they only had availability for us to stay one night....so we took full advantage of access to water, electric and shuttle to Publix.  

The dock at the marina has a "Mega Dock"....this thing is over a quarter mile long!

Friday morning we had to wait for a pump out that didn't happen until 11.  If we would have known we would have gone into town instead of waiting on the boat....oh well.   We got a couple more chores completed while we waited.  Only wished we could have had time to explore Charleston....we definitely want to come back and stay awhile.  

   

Cumberland Island to Savannah

We pulled up anchor Friday morning 5/3 at Cumberland Island to make our way to Jekyll Island where we took a dock in Jekyll Harbor Marina.  The island is small, only about 7 miles long, accessible by car.  It has a "resort like" feel with big hotels, convention center and tourists.  Very nice! 

The marina was more laid back covered by large oaks with moss hanging from the trees.  There was a pool, hot tub, restaurant, loaner bikes and golf carts...all the bell's and whistles!  We did take advantage of the golf cart and picked up some provisions and to check out the beach.      

After turning in our golf cart we enjoyed the pool area and had dinner at Zachry's Riverhouse, the restaurant located in the marina. What a great day!

We were up early Saturday because we plan to make some miles and we also had to transverse the challenges of Jekyll Creek.  The creek is shallow and only deep enough for us to get through during high tide and for us, that's going against the current.   

Wasn't long before we started to get bombarded by horseflies...and THEY BITE!  It was in the upper 80's and we had to have the pilot house doors closed and all the screens on!  It was a sweaty ride!

We made it through the part of Jekyll Creek that we were worried about before low tide.  Once the tide dropped, you can see how skinny the rest of our ride was! 

 

The "Low Country".
 

This place was in the middle of nowhere! Sweet!

We arrived at Timmons River Anchorage about 2:30 and the flies didn't give us a break.  We could only open windows that have screens.  Good thing that we had a bit of a breeze and the temperature dropped to the mid 60's overnight.  

We dropped the dingy and took Roxy to what we thought was a sandy shoreline....nope, it as a bazillion open oyster shells piled up with swampy water and grass on the other side!  

Sunday morning we left Timmons anchorage on our way for a couple day's stay in Savannah.  

 More skinny water!

The tide here changes up to 10 feet!

We were lucky enough to land on the free dock in the historic downtown Savannah!  It was great....even had electric thank goodness!  Savannah was experiencing record high temps and we would have melted if we didn't have electric to run the air conditioners!

I didn't get a picture of it, but when the river goes to low tide, you can't see Cheers!

Savannah really has character!  There is a lower street right along the waterfront, then up the hill is the opposite side of the buildings seen from the lower level. 

Dinner at Crystals Beer Parlor!  

The Savannah River is every busy with cargo ships, ferries and pleasure boats.  The bars along the waterfront were busy with tourists and live music.  Also, when a cargo ship goes by, the bartender rings a bell and everyone gets a free shot! 

Looking forward to Charleston, S.C.