Chapter 48: Crew Change in Charleston

Log 48
Crew change in Charleston, SC.

6:00AM
Sunday, May 21, 2000
City Marina
Charleston, SC.

Day 49


I’m up a little late this morning, because we are in no hurry to head out, as we only have about 55 miles to go today. I’m watching the local weather channel, and they are saying we are going to have a pretty good day to resume our trek north. Partly cloudy and about 85 degrees.

Crew change day went pretty well. Darrell and Donna left about 8:00, and went to the Charleston airport to get a rental car, and drive to Myrtle Beach to fly back to Chicago. Deb was up early to do laundry, and it was a good thing, because she said as she was leaving people were lined up to use the machines. She spent the rest of the day (until about 3) cleaning, and getting everything ready for our next leg. (Except there was no need to clean Darrell and Donna’s room because they left it cleaner than they found it….thanks)
I spent the same amount of time with routine preventive maintenance. I cleaned the water strainers on both engines, and the generator. (Each engine has an intake to pull water from the bottom of the boat to keep the engines cool. These intakes have strainers on them to keep “stuff” from getting into the engine exhaust) I also cleaned the strainers on the air conditioning. Then I looked at each battery (we have 7 of them) to make sure they were full of water. It was a good thing, because a couple of them needed water badly. And finally I cleaned the air filters on all of the air conditioners. With the maintenance done, I worked on the charts for a while, planning the entire week, and making some marina reservations for the next two nights.
Deb and I were done about the same time, so we grabbed a beer, and went up to the fly bridge to sit and watch the hustle bustle of all of the boat coming in to the marina for the night. This is a very busy time of year for transient boaters, like us, who make the trip from Florida to the North. About mid to late afternoon everyone is looking for a marina for the night. (Except sail boaters, who are looking for a place to anchor. Hey…there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just a fact) Anyway, this place is very busy with big boats coming in at a very rapid pace. They have about 5 or 6 dockhands here, and they have trouble keeping up. It’ a lot of fun to sit and watch all of these captains put their boats in some very tight places. Plus, I always learn something.
Steve and Chris arrived about 5:00, and they lost no time getting into shorts. (It was over 90 yesterday) In fact Steve wore his shorts from home, even though it was cold in Chicago. The original plan was for Deb, and Chris to go to the store for the week’s groceries, but we bagged that plan in favor of getting a taxi and going out to eat. We talked to some folks, who gave us some ideas, and we chose The South End Brewery. Funny thing about it was we have only been to Charleston twice, (in 92 when we came through here in my friends boat) and we ate there the last time, although we didn’t know it until we pulled up front of the place. Oh well, it was good then, and now. (Rome-Theresa-Les-Annie…..remember the mud pie??)
Back at the boat Deb and Chris went up top, and Steve and I watched the Nascar race on TV. Well at least part of it. When the girls came in and went to bed, we taped the rest, so don’t tell me who won. OK?

Today..
As I said we only have about 55 miles to go today. (The guidebook says the next 50 miles are some of the prettiest on the entire Intracoastal Waterway………I’ll let you know) In fact all week the maximum amount of miles we are planning for any single day is 86, so it should be an easy week. Today’s destination is Georgetown, SC. The guidebook says it is an old historic town with a neat boardwalk, and we are in the downtown marina. (Supposedly on the boardwalk, but as you may remember these adds for the marinas take a few liberties when they describe their amenities)
The sun is up now, (sunrise was at 6:17) and it looks to be a little cloudy, but it is still 75 degrees, so it will be fine for today’s travel. The marina store opens at 7 AM, and they have an e-mail plug in, so I’m going to try to send this before we head out at 7:30.

I’ll keep you posted.

BK.