Into Georgia

We spent 2 nights at beautiful Beaufort SC, which so far wins our award for nicest waterfront park, with dog friendly landscaping and large swinging benches. On Wednesday we walked the neighborhoods with elegant historic homes and had lunch at Nippys where we ate at a picnic table so the dogs could hang with us. Lots of ball and frisbee play for the dogs too. For Wednesday evening Sheila found us a great bar to visit.

 

Thursday we had a leisurely morning in Beaufort as we waited for the tidal current to change in a favorable direction. It was 11 am when we pulled anchor, motored down the Beaufort River and rode the ebbing tide (mostly) for 29 miles through more of the SC low country, while sunning on the flying bridge. We passed ritzy Hilton Head Island and finally stopped at the south end of Daufuskie Island. There is an ultra funky bar/restaurant there called Marshside Mama's, and a county dock with 3 hour limit for tie up.

 

Marshside Mama's is the kind of place you can bring your dog to and let them run off the leash, at least if your dogs aren't the garbage hounds that ours are. While we had a drink or 2 and played 'cornhole', Riggs found his way around back to their garbage area and began feasting while we called for him. Back on the leash for Riggs. A little later we noticed Katie was missing. We had closed the outer gate to the garbage area but she wandered into the restaurant, through the kitchen, and sure enough she found the garbage. If only we could direct their smarts to something productive.

 

We asked if anyone would mind if we stayed at the county dock overnight and were assured its OK so that allowed us to stay for supper. Fried grouper over cheese grits for me and grilled mahi over pasta for Sheila. If you ignore the grunge (easy for me) the food was great.

 

Today we made a short 12 mile run to, and up, the Savannah River into Savannah GA. We are at the municipal dock right below busy River Street. Our timing is such that we are going to get the Christmas Spirit, whether we like it or not. Today and tomorrow Savannah holds its 'Christmas on the River' celebration and as we tied up workers were setting up a stage and sound system right next to us. So far we've heard recorded jazzy Christmas music (Vince Guarini), a live barbershop quartet, a mixed choral group, and right now they are showing the holiday classic 'Elf'. Later tonight there will be fireworks, and a host of other entertainment tomorrow, including the Christmas Parade! Also lots of vendor booths set up with food and gift items.

 

It's all almost enough to distract us from the real show here, which is the Savannah River shipping activity. Averaging maybe 1 per hour, humongous ships pass by about 100 feet away, headed upriver or out to sea. The ships move slowly enough such that their wakes are no big deal. The tugboats and small ferry boat are worse.

Oh, have I mentioned the weather here? Last few days have hit the 70's and today hit 80. Tee shirts and shorts for me and a pretty summer dress for Sheila. Very different weather than what we read about for mid America and warmer than normal for here at this time of year.

 

Current plans are to stay 2 nights here, then back to the ICW to wind southwards through coastal GA.

 

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