And away we go...

It's really hard to know where to begin! I feel like so many things have happened since we last posted. We were insanely busy the two weeks between New Year's and go-day with preparations. Every waking second of every day was spent buying supplies, food, wrapping up loose ends in Charleston, and anticipating our needs for the next 41/2 months. We finally got our act together and decided to have one last hoorah! with our friends and family the Tuesday before we departed. We gathered at Coast in downtown Charleston and had a little bon voyage shindig! Thanks to all you lovely people who came to party with us-love you!

Go-day was January 16th. One of Chip's good friends, John Michael Barclay, came into town from Alabama to lend a helping hand on the first leg of our voyage. So, we finally set off on an unusually chilly morning. I waved a teary goodbye to my darling Mama, my brother, Hunter, and charming Charleston. I will miss you all!

So, now we're sailing. But actually not sailing, motoring. The weather gods have not been on our side one bit. It has been way too cold (lowest temps. for this time in 20 years!!) with high winds and rough seas. We can't even consider going off shore and sailing. Navigating the Intracoastal Waterway has been immensely beautiful and challenging in so many ways. The first night was possibly the worst night I have EVER experienced. We anchored in the South Edisto River and at about 3am Chip discovered we had drifted ashore, hard ashore. The anchor had dragged due to strong currents and high winds. By about 6am not a drop of water was touching our boat and we were heeled over 50 degrees, seriously. On top of this, it was 18 degrees outside and winds were blowing at 20 knots. Misery. All of these seasoned sailors say "If you ain't run aground, you ain't been around." I guess I've been around now! Alas, the tide came in and we drifted off land before noon, and before Sea Tow had come to our rescue.

Needless to say, we were all struggling to recover from a freezing, sleepless, uncomfortable night so we decided to dock the second night in Beaufort, SC. Using shore power we were able to use our space heaters and survive to see another day. It is amazing what a hot shower, a good steaming meal and deep sleep can do for the body and soul! I woke up feeling confident and ready for whatever may come. That's the good thing about an unexpected near-disaster, it makes you feel tougher!

We motored the final stretch of South Carolina's winding waterways and decided to spend the night at Riverstreet Market Dock in Savannah, GA. John Michael had to catch a plane the next day (Monday, the 19th) back to his life, so we hit the town for a little treat after our painfully cold day on the water. Delicious oysters, crawfish, and pralines! Originally, we planned to stay one night and continue south, but due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday the swing bridges were closed and there was no point in trying to go anywhere. Two days in Savannah! I, for one, loved the opportunity to sleep in, have a leisurely shower and stroll around the city with sweet, little Chili. Before bedtime last night, we listened to the weather report. The temperature dropped into the twenties and it was raining quite a bit yesterday. Naturally, there was a chance of snow this morning! Thankfully there was no precipitation for our departure from Savannah.

Today, about two hours into our trip south from Savannah, the motor sputtered out and died just as we were about to pass under a swing bridge. We had to quickly drop anchor and drift over toward a marshy bank. Chip is proving to be quite handy and knowledgeable, thank goodness. He worked on the engine for about an hour, draining diesel, trying to get to the bottom of our issues. Seems as if water somehow made it's way into our diesel tank (it was raining cats and dogs in Sav.). After draining the contaminated diesel out and putting new in, the engine worked! So, we were on our way, but thought it would be wise to find a marina to spend the night ASAP and investigate the watery diesel. The temperature will be in the teens tonight and we simply must have a heat source. And, here I am. In my toasty boat, with internet access (yeah!) at the Isle of Hope Marina. And, here is my hope. I hope that this voyage makes a turn in a positive direction right now! A little bit of luck would be wonderful...

ps-forgive the pictures not being in order, I'm new at this!
-Caitlin