Our First Christmas on Red Head

There's nothing quite like Christmas to make a place feel like home. This was Dylan and Dee Dee's first Christmas on Red Head. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that the kids remembered they had to be good for Santa. More of an issue for Dee Dee than Dylan...

The crew watched a recording of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College. Dee Dee was enthralled. The only dog we've had that can actually sit and watch a 2 hour show.

Dylan watched too, in his own way.

Then came Christmas morning! Mom and Dad were not sure how Santa landed on our steel roof without waking the kids. But even more surprising was he left presents for Dylan and Dee Dee! He must have gotten his naughty and nice list mixed up...

Dee Dee was having a hard time waiting. She figured she'd better hurry before that fat guy discovered his mistake and came back for the presents.

Mom and Dad just wanted to enjoy some coffee in peace, so Mom selected a toy for them to unwrap.

It was a stuffed piggy pull toy. We think they liked it but you can be the judge.

They played and play for about a half hour.

Until Dee Dee eviscerated the poor pig and pulled all the stuffing out.

Dylan wants to make sure that Santa knows he had nothing to do with it.

As the morning went on there were other toys. There was a Flat Cat.

And a huge "indestructible" pull toy. Time will tell.

Mom got a great coffee mug from the ultimate Dog Mom, JoDee. She loves it!

And it is the perfect match to the mug Mom got Dad for his birthday.

There were lots of great presents and food and drink. And just like most two-legged kids, Dee Dee liked the boxes best.

When it was over the salon was a mess. Just the way we like it...

The crew on Red Head wishes everyone a very happy holiday and safe travels. We hope to see you in the New Year.

Goin' on a Toot

 

About this time last year we were in Brunswick and rented a car to drive to Green Cove Springs where we became Florida residents and registered aCappella in the state of Florida. This past week we rented a car to once again drive from Brunswick to Green Cove Springs. This time to register Red Head. If all goes as planned, we will be bringing her into Florida in a couple of weeks.

We decided to take advantage of the rental car to get  the kids off the boat and take them on a toot, or two...

On Wednesday we went north stopping at Hinckley Yacht Services and Thunderbolt Marina in Savannah. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day so Dylan and Dee Dee mainly stayed in the car but, as always, they were just happy to be going somewhere.

Then on Thursday we drove south down to Green Cove Springs and took care of our business there. Dylan and Dee Dee once again waited patiently in the car.

Well, maybe just a bit bored...

But they were rewarded when we stopped by the Marina at Ortega Landing in Jacksonville and they met up with some fellow canine crew members for a good romp.

Which meant a quiet ride back to Brunswick.

The Kids' Playground

There are many things Dylan and Dee Dee like about their new home, Red Head. They have a king-size bed which means more room for them - not necessarily any more room for Mom and Dad but definitely more room for the kids...

A real favorite is the large, open area in the salon that gives them the perfect indoor playground. Choose a favorite from the toy basket and they're ready to rumble.

We're entertained each morning. Even Dylan plays like a puppy.

Sometimes it's Dylan on top.

Other times, it's Dee Dee. But, it's more often Dee Dee than Dylan...

What begins as Dylan's toy...

Usually becomes Dee Dee's. Poor guy.

But in the end, they both have a good time.

Followed by a good nap to prepare them for their afternoon rumble because that one's a doozy!

Three Practically Perfect Days

Boaters often talk about the folly of keeping schedules. The discussions typically involve delays waiting for weather windows, bailout points when offshore, and tales about times when weather limits were pushed a bit too far. They focus on how bad weather affects our cruising plans.

Then there are those times when the weather is so good that it changes plans. Why does it seem so rare?

Pulling anchor in the Charleston Harbor

This past week we had plans to leave Charleston and hop through the Georgia ICW stopping at a couple of marinas and staying in some isolated anchorages we'd never tried before. Our departure was delayed a day as we saw the offshore weather leaving Charleston going from so-so to pretty-darn-nice.

Dylan on dolphin patrol leaving Charleston Harbor

We pulled off the docks at Charleston Harbor Marina on Monday afternoon to anchor that night at a familiar anchorage in the harbor. That set us up for an early departure Tuesday morning to head offshore to Hilton Head. The day was spectacular.

Anchoring in the marshes of Georgia

Leaving St Catherines Sound at sunrise

After some weather delays in Charleston, this perfect offshore weather changed our plans to go to Thunderbolt Marina on Wednesday and instead go offshore to anchor inside St Catherines Sound in the Georgia marshes. It allowed us to make up a day we "lost" in Charleston. Wednesday's weather was even better than Tuesday's.

Offshore St Catherine's Sound to St Simons Sound

Dylan and Dee Dee on watch offshore

Thursday we headed offshore again from St Catherine's Sound to St Simons Sound. The water looked like a mill pond.

Dylan and Dee Dee relaxing offshore

There are so many advantages to traveling offshore, when the weather is good, verses the ICW. It's like being on a quiet country road verses the DC Beltway at rush hour. No wakes, no incessant radio traffic, no hazards.

Pelican on the bow

Just the occasional pelican who decides to take up residence on the bow. He couldn't figure out how to take off in the confined space and tried repeatedly to spread his wings.

Pelican checking out the side exit.

The captain finally snuck down and opened the side door. We slowed to idle and he took off.

Sunset at the St Simons Sound anchorage

It's easy to focus in on the bad weather and look for alternatives to your cruising plans. But don't forget that sometimes the weather can be better than expected. And those change of plans can be pure joy.

Dylan and Dee Dee heading to land

The kids were the perfect offshore crew. But after 3 days they are looking forward to a nice long walk on land at Brunswick Landing Marina.

Dylan and Dee Dee wish all of their followers a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels on land and at sea.

Zeus and the Dog Park

Today Dylan and Dee Dee made a new dog friend, Zeus, a one year old Golden. We met Zeus's mom and dad while doing the Loop in 2013 when Dee Dee was just a small pup. We've run into them here and there since then but had yet to meet Zeus.

Janet and Bob were driving home from a weekend on their boat coming past Charleston, so Janet emailed to ask if we were up for a trip to a dog park. We didn't have to ask the kids twice.

We met them out front of the Charleston Harbor Marina a 11 am, loaded the three of them into their van, and set off.

The James Island County Dog Park is a huge park with plenty of spaces to run and play. Dylan and Dee Dee were desperately in need of a good romp.

Zeus and Dee Dee put themselves in charge of retrieving any tennis ball they could find.

Dee Dee was a tad protective of hers...

Dylan's favorite part was when he got Zeus to give chase. Dylan loves being chased, always has.

Dylan and Dee Dee say that any day that includes a dog park is a good day.

Mom and Dad agree. We're all hoping to see Zeus and his people again real soon.