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.

Offshore Again

The whole crew enjoys a nice offshore passage. We were finally able to do our first offshore passage since leaving the Chesapeake Bay. And it was perfect!

Dylan wants to be out in the open air watching for dolphins. The rail outside the pilothouse is just the right height. Dee Dee tends to hop on the pilothouse settee and stay for the duration.

That is until Daddy calls for both of them to assist with the traditional ATB - "Around the Block," a trip around the deck to ensure all is well.

Who wouldn't feel safe knowing they had such a dedicated crew on watch?

Then Dylan goes back to dolphin watching.

While Dee Dee cuddles back on the settee.

Of course, both of them are ready to heed the call and be back on duty when needed. My faithful crew!

Hawse Holes

In harmony with her size, Red Head has numerous nice, large hawse holes. If you don't happen to be familiar with boats and don't know what a hawse hole is, the Champman Piloting book defines them as "an opening in the hull, through which mooring lines run." Like most boaters, we use ours for hoses and electrical cords and anything else we need to bring onboard.

Since we've been in New Bern, NC at the Galley Stores and Marina, the kids have discovered another use for hawse holes. Many of them are at just the right spot for some cute faces to look out. Dee Dee can spy on what's happening on the dock.

Dylan thinks he should get a peek as well.

There's some pretty cool things to see out there, so they both want to take a look.

Unfortunately, even Red Head's rather large hawse holes have trouble handling both of those snoots at the same time.

Guess it's time to head back to the side door and see what kind of attention they can rustle up. After all, who could resist those faces?

Uptown Girl at the Downtown Public Piers

Dylan and Dee Dee just finished attending the Hampton, VA Snowbird Rendezvous and have started their official cruise south as snowbirds. There were far too many times they were left alone while Mom and Dad gave their talks and attended events. Let's be honest, even once is too much for this crew.

But they did have the great advantage of being docked directly in front of the Downtown Hampton Public Piers office. And it was homecoming weekend for the local university. There was a steady stream of visitors on the docks all weekend long.

Dylan and Dee Dee quickly took up residence at the side door to watch the world go by. When the tide was right, Dee Dee did once or twice step onto the dock, one time even enticing Dylan to follow. But they both quickly came back when called. What good kids!

With the rendezvous behind us, the mission of the crew is now to find warm climes and clear water. We're heading south now and this crew is definitely up for it.