May 3–May 9 Florida to South Carolina On May 3 we said goodbye to our friends on Wendreda and headed N again. We went via the Intercoastal Waterway to Fernandina Beach in the NE corner of Florida. Our timing was good because some days we got a lift from the tide almost all day as it flowed into an inlet to the south of us and then later in the day flowed out of an inlet to the north of us. The tide wasn't always working for us though. We made reservations at a marina in Fernandina Beach where they said they had a slip for us with 5 feet of water at low tide. We got there at low tide and found 3 feet of water. We couldn't even get Opus close enough to the dock to get off until the tide came back in. The slip and showers were free that night.
We skipped Georgia by taking an overnight sail off shore from Fernandina Beach to Edisto Beach in South Carolina. Jim's relative were expecting us and as they did in 2008, they had free dockage arranged for us (courtesy of Judge Weeks) and a place to stay at cousin Mark's beach house. When we left Fernandina Beach we set our course for the North Edisto River. After 30 hours of sailing we arrived at the North Edisto River and then realized Mark's beach house was near the South Edisto River 20 miles back. Oh well, it was only an 8 hour mistake. We still got there in time to have dinner with Aunt Shirley, Casey and Skyler. Jennifer even got to have a sleepover with Skyler the very first night.
We spent a couple of days in Edisto Beach with the Websters. Jim's sister even came down from Wilmington, NC, so she could be the first of Jim's immediate family to see us. Uncle Herman entertained us with his stories. Cousin Wanda made sure we had plenty of good food to eat. It was a good welcome home kind of weekend, even though we weren't quite home yet. Linda was really looking forward to sleeping on shore in a rectangular bed (versus the V-berth), but found out she sleeps much better on the boat. Jim didn't even try sleeping on shore. He knew better. All in all it was a very fun weekend with a family who's traveled with us vicariously for the last 2 1/2 years. Thank you Websters, the homecoming was as good as the send off you gave us in 2008.
May 10–May 18 South Carolina to North Carolina The weather wasn't looking good for an offshore sail, so when we left Edisto Beach, we motored up the waterway to Charleston. Luckily the tide was with us through Elliot Cut, moving us along at about 9 knots. 2 1/2 years ago we went through Elliot Cut against the tide making no headway at times. We got to the Hwy 171 bridge near Charleston just after it's last opening before rush hour. It wasn't scheduled to open again for at least an hour and a half. No problem - the Charleston Crabhouse is on the south side of the bridge on the water and has a courtesy dock. I'm sure we weren't the first sailboat to stop and have drinks or crab cakes waiting for the bridge to open. After that we anchored in Charleston harbor and waited out 2 days worth of thunderstorms.
One day in the waterway and 2 day sails offshore brought us to the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, NC. We caught the tide in the Cape Fear River and sped along at 8 knots toward Wrightsville Beach. We tied up at Seapath Marina and by 8pm we were cleaned up and enjoying a wonderful rib dinner at Jim's parents house in Wilmington. Still not quite home, but it's good to be back with family. Wow, it's cold in the air-conditioning!
We spent 4 days in Wilmington. Jennifer stayed with her grandparents. Jim and Linda spent the days there, but slept on the boat. This time Linda knew better too. Jim's dad loaned us his truck so we were free to come and go and run all our errands on shore. Americans sure are busy rushing around and eating out. The number of restaurants and the number of people eating in them at all hours of the day amazed us. We weren't the least bit tempted by any of them since Jim's mom and sister kept us well fed with good homemade meals. We did eat one meal out and tried to eat the over sized portions we were served. The food was probably good, but we sure hurt afterwards from eating so much and drinking so much iced tea. No need to go out again anytime soon!
The space shuttle Endeavor finally took off. Jennifer got to watch it on TV and took note of all the things DOC had explained to the kids back in Titusville. Even though she didn't get to watch it take off in person, it was more meaningful after hearing DOC's presentation and after going to the Kennedy Space Center. Thanks DOC.
Time with the family has been good, but we need to keep moving on toward home. Our renters have moved out of our house, so it's ready and waiting for us when we get there. There will be an inexpensive boat slip waiting for Opus when we get to Oriental, another advantage to having a small boat. The trip meter on the boat is at 8,000 nautical miles (9,200 statute miles). We're almost home.