Beaufort, South Carolina

Leaving Savannah, GA...

No more pelicans, no more manatees, but still seeing dolphins and seagulls, of course.

Also still seeing Palm trees and Palmetto,but no Mangroves growing along the water.

Now we are in the Low Country, with big tide variations (7-9 feet), lot of marsh grass, muddy bottoms and No See Ums (horrible little bugs that are blood suckers) & mosquitoes!  So we keep our bug repellant handy.

Homes along the waterway in South Carolina - Hilton Head Island

                                       Sunset in Battery Creek, where we anchored for a night.

Our marina here at Port Royal Landing for the week.

Met a guy here who's a retired local TV personality.  Name was DeYoung (DeJong) originally from South Chicago.  Knew my mother's family.  Lives on an ocean going sailboat built in the Netherlands when he's not visiting  family.  Also, shared tidbits about the brethern in the Chicago garbage collection business. (Know in some circles as the Dutch Mafia).

   

One day we rode our bikes to Beaufort(about 3 miles) and checked out the Historic homes, as well as the town.  There is so much history here - wish we could remember it all.

Beaufort has a dozen or more restored antebellum mansions.  Several were used as hospitals and command posts during the Civil War by the Union occupation troops. Thankfully General Sherman choose not destory Beaufort and Sanannah as he had done with Atlanta and other cities during his March to the Sea.  Remember the scene from Gone With The Wind.  

The trees are historic too - some over 400 years old!(See if you can find Don)

Just think, some of these trees were already growing when Columbus discovered the Americas.   Kind of puts our puny little lives in perspective.

We ended the week at the 9th annual Soft Shell Crab Festival - car show, music, vendors, crab races and seafood!
No I don't know who the lady in th pink top is.  She just happened to be sitting in front of the town sign.  

When you're on a boat you eat lots of seafood.  I'm starting to grow gills.  Makes me hungry for a good Iowa pork chop.

As we are spending a whole week in one place, I was able to do some maintentence items like polish the boat and varnish some trim.  I must say, she looks pretty good for an old girl.  If you want a boat to look good and not give you problems it requires a lot of attention.  That's why boats are referred too as being female. (With that remark I'll probably be sleeping on the dock tonight).

We plan to leave here on Monday and head for Charleston.  That will be a lot more history.  Looking forward to meeting our daughter, Jana and her husband, Brian, there. db

Georgia on my mind!

Let's start with Cumberland Island National Preserve, where we first stepped on Georgia soil.  They have wild horses there and Don was so happy to get a picture of them foraging there for their food and just leisurely walking around.

The linage of these horses date back to the 1600's when the Spanish first explored this area.  They have reproduced, lived and died on this island for almost 400 years with little or no interference from man.   There were about a dozen horses in the herd we saw. The white colt in this picture is about two weeks old.  The island is Federal property and can only be reached by boat.  We anchored several hundred feet off the island and took the dingy ashore.

This island also has the Dungeness Ruins (what's left of the Carnegie family's summer estates.)

The Carnegie's made a fortune in steel production in the late 1800's and are considered to be one of the last Robber Barons.  This mansion burned down in 1949 and is owned by the government.

We never tire of the Spanish Moss - we see it everywhere in Georgia!

St. Simons Island Lighthouse and grounds.  It's a lovely island and we had an awesome shrimp dinner there!  Walked on the beach and relaxed in the park.  The Marina there delivered 2 fresh muffins and the newspaper in the morning!  All right!!

A broken propeller (this happened not far beyond St. Simons).

As you can see one of the blades flew off due to metal fatigue.  This happened at about 3600rpm's and scared the crap out of me.  We were concerned that the sudden imbalance may have caused problems to other parts of the out drive so we had the boat hauled at a marina in Savannah and check out.  Everything was okay. 

Isle of Hope, just south of Savannah, where we spent several days, including Easter.

Lovely vacation homes, friendly folks and very southern.

Next Port - Savannah, GA.  A beautiful city with many historic homes and several historic parks and churches.  This is the riverfront Cotton Exchange building, which was the center of the community in the days when cotton was King!

Savannah is the 2nd busiest harbor on the eastern seaboard.   We were tied to the wall on River Street and these huge (and I do mean huge!!) ships would go by a hundred or so feet from us.  This picture is the back of a container ship that had just passed us.  Don't know how long it was but seemed to go on forever. I couldn't help but wonder what was in each of those semi size containers.

We found that being on the riverfront in Savannah was okay for a day or so, but then it got very tiresome with the big ships going by and the tugboats and the ferry boats, so we were ready to leave again Sunday afternoon.  It was good access to a lot of the downtown sights and sounds of River Street - artists, performers, shops and restaurants, but also many tourists, noise and much rocking of the boat due to the boat traffic.  We met some nice folks and will have some good memories of Savannah.  TB

On Sunday morning we attended services at the Independent Presbyterian Church which was established in 1755.  They have a large and very beautiful building.  The service was very traditional.  Many members have ties to the old Dutch Reformed Church.  These folks were very friendly and one of the congregation pointed out the separate doorway and stairs to the balcony were the blacks attendees had to sit back before integration. 

Savannah has a lot of history like so much of the East Coast.  One can spend weeks and see something new everyday.   We barely scratched the surface after several days.  But it was time to move on.   We traveled up the ICW on Sunday afternoon past Hilton Head where the Heritage Clasic golf tournament was still in progress.  Saw the MetLife blimp overhead taking pictures.  Maybe we brought Zach Johnson some luck.  He came in 2nd and won $615,000.  Not bad for an Iowa boy.  Tonight we're in Port Royal,SC.  We'll probably stay a few days and catch our breath.  DB

Goodbye, Florida!

Don and I returned to Jacksonville after our visit to Iowa, which was very enjoyable - springtime arrived that week - lots of blooms everywhere - trees, bushes and flowers!  We enjoyed spending time with family and friends!  Our flight to IA was delayed by 1 day, so we went to the Jacksonville Zoo (just across the river from our marina) since we were packed and no place to go.  Then we went to the zoo in Des Moines also when we were there - it was fun to enjoy it with our kids!

While in Iowa we met with our accountant.  Good news!!  We can be "boat bums' for awhile longer!  Speaking of boat bums, we met a few at Seafarers Marina.  All interesting people with stories to tell.  Wayne, the guy who gave us a ride to the airport, gave me a Florida Gators cap as we where leaving.  He lost his mother, his job and his house in the past two years.  He now lives on an older sail boat.   And Greg, a 20 year member of AA looking towards open heart surgery in a few weeks.  He really was trying to accept life as it comes, no complaints, all in God's plan.  Then there was the real estate developer and his family (wife and 3 boys) from the Midwest who was over extended and lost it all in the economic down turn.  Out of the financial ruins he was able to hang on to was his older boat.  Instead of a 7000 sq ft home they now all live in a space that is smaller than the master bedroom in their former house.  He says it's a blessing.  He now has time for his kids and wife, sleeps at night and doesn't throw up blood every morning from ulcers.

The zoo in Jacksonville was busy as the local schools where on spring break.  It was as interesting to watch the kids watch the animals as it was to watch the animals.

Today is our last day in Florida.  After having our boat in Florida water for 4 months, we are leaving tomorrow.  We are currently in Fernadina Beach on Amelia Island - we can see Georgia across the waterway.  This is a touristy town and the beach on the Atlantic is outstanding - went for a walk there this morning - lots of people and kids (still some on Spring Break).  The tide was low, but coming in, so lots of beach area, gentle waves rolling in.  It was good to walk in the water and sand.  The temperature hit 90 today, so I guess it is time to head north!

 This is the life!!  Should have done this years ago. 

Fernadina is an interesting old town - it is on Amelia Island - very touristy, lots of Victorian homes, boats, trains and even container ships.

The picture below is of the Dames Point Suspension Bridge, one of the longest spans of its kind in the USA.  We passed under it coming to and leaving Jacksonville waters.

 Below is a picture we took at Seafarers Marina.  Seafarers was an experience we will not soon forget.

This is a man-o-war, we think.  Good thing the tide was coming in to rescue him.

"While traveling in a boat on the waterways, the world is your home, and it's good to wake up each day to adventure on the water."  Till next week...

Historical Florida

We have spent most of the week touring the historical venues of St. Augustine, FL (the oldest existing city in the US.)  It's been very enjoyable and the marina we stayed at was very nice also.

St Augustine was founded by the Spanish and has restored buildings that are 300 years old.  Most of the streets in Old Town are only wide enough for one car.  Many are closed only to pedesterian traffic.  This is a town you can spend serveral days in and still find intersting things to see.

This is the Lightener Museum (originally Flagler's 2nd hotel called Alcazar, which had a huge swimming pool and spa for the guests to enjoy). The pool was 120 ft. by 50 ft. and is now a restaurant.

There were many collections here - we spent 1/2 day taking it all in.

Let me explain who Flagler was.  He was Rockefeller's oil partner and had money to burn.  He discovered St Augustine in the late 1870's and decided to build a very expensive winter resort for his rich friends from the north.  It was only the 2nd hotel in the world to have electric lights and were personally installed by Edison.  A three month stay cost $250,000 in todays money.  He even built a railroad from Jacksonville to St Augustine so his guests had an easy way to get to the hotel.  He built a second hotel across from the first which was more modestly priced.  It still was not inexpensive but was more for "active" people and when built had the largest indoor swimming pool in the USA.  He eventually built the railroad all the way to Key West with a string of resorts along the way.  He is considered by many to be the father of Florida tourisum.  Both hotels are still standing and are in excellent condition.  One is now a private college, the other a musuem.

The largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world is here in these 2 hotels - worth millions of dollars and it is gorgeous!

Gorgeous is an understatment!!  Pictures do not begin to show the beauty of these hotels or of the churches that Flagler donated the funds for.

Flagler College (originally the Hotel Ponce De Leon) - a beautiful structure built by Henry Flagler - the first luxury hotel for the rich people from the north to winter in Florida.

 

Castillo de San Marcos defending northern Florida - quite a structure, built of Coquina (a mixture of seashells and cement - a very strong substance)

This fort was build by the Spanish in 1670 - 1693 to protect Florida from pirates, France and England.   

Daytona at night, from the anchored boat. (It was motorcycle week - Yeah!)

Daytona Beach was before St Augustine.  We only anchored out there one night and then moved on as we had done the Daytona thing a few years ago. 

We capped off the week with a wonderful dolphin show in the inlet where we were anchored on Saturday morning.  There were 12 - 14 of them performing for us.  What a show!

We are now in Jacksonville at a very interesting marina.  The facilites are not very good but the people living here on their boats are interesting.  The whole marina is made up of old hippies, artists, authors and burned out business people who have thumbed their nose at conventuial life.  The boats run the gamut from nice to barely floating.  The appeal of the marina is it's low slip fees and a live and let live attitude by it's clientel.  Hang around here long and you'd have material for a book or two. 

Once again we will be travelling to IA next week to do income taxes, Drs. appointments, see family, etc.  So we won't be posting a blog till later.  Happy Spring to you all!

Florida Spring Break!

                           We're seeing signs of Spring Break here on the beaches of Florida.

                        This is Vero Beach - beautiful fine sand and lots of people to enjoy it.

Check out the background!!  Now, when I was their age Spring Break meant driving a tractor 10 hours a day, working for a former neighbor.

She enjoys the seashore, wiggling toes in the sand, walking, catching the waves as they hit the shore.
Water Temp - 68 degrees.  Air temp - 85 degrees.  Sunny and warm.

Gateway to the Tropics, so I guess we're leaving the tropics now - more Spanish Moss, orchids and ferns growing in the trees, less Palm trees.  We are heading up the East coast of Florida.

Beautiful homes and estates along the waterway.

From our view on the water you sure can't tell that we have been in a recession for the passed three years.  But I suppose some of these Mcmansions are in foreclosure just like homes in more modest neighorhoods.  

Rough seas kept us, unexpectantly, in Sebastian, FL for 2 nights.

But that was okay because after the manager and I traded some "Dutchman" jokes he gave me a free   t-shirt.  Hey, I'm not proud, a free shirt wears just like the ones you pay for. 

Now we are in Titusville, FL, across the bay from Kennedy Space Center where the manned space shuttles were launched for the past 25 years.  But no more, only unmanned launches occasionally now.

It seems this town is almost deserted.

The marina has several huge manatees here - we keep taking pictures of them and watching them.  They love fresh water and sea grass, but it is illegal to feed or water them.  If you are washing the boat, they will come right over for the run-off.  They can be injured by the propellers on boats, as you can see on the one above.  They are sometimes called sea cows - grow to 13 ft. in length, weigh 2,000 lbs. and eat 100 lbs. of vegetation daily.  They are air-breathing mammals that reside in the water.

(He's along a dock, his head is toward the left of the picture.)

After having to slow down to NO WAKE speed thru so many manateen areas for the passed several months it's interesting to finally see them up close and personal.   I scratched one's back but he didn't seem to like it.  Probably thought I was a boat prop.  Their skin has a very rough texture. 

 

Fort Pierce, FL Highlights

We've had a fun time here in Ft. Pierce - it's been a busy, enjoyable week.  Summertime in February here with unseasonably warm weather.  Daytime temps in the 80's and cool nights.  This is known as the Treasure Coast of Florida - Each part of Florida has their own special coast designation.

Pelicans - our constant companions and friends??

Friend?? He tried to bite me!!

Spending time with Don's cousin, Dick and Linda B. at their condo about 3 miles from our marina.

Cookouts, fix-it projects, enjoying the pool, IA Girls State Basketball (our alma mater - Pella Christian) on the internet, out for seafood, out for a cruise on the Atlantic Ocean (watching dolphins play in the inlet), dinner with former and current Pella folks and Sunday services at an outdoor bar (Archies) near the beach.

This is a cool place - ate supper here one night - come as you are - No shirt, No shoes, No problem.

And it's a church on Sunday mornings !!  Very casual. Great music.

                                   
                               Mini Birthday Celebration for the 70 and soon to be 70 year olds!

Can you believe it - 70 years old. It seems like a short time ago Dick and I were chasing around Pella in our Mercurys checking out the girls and getting traffic tickets. (I think I got more tickets, not because Dick didn't have a heavy right foot, he was better at not getting caught.)  Now we sit around with our aches and pains.  But we really can't complain.  We have been blessed and have so much to be thankful for.







                  

           Are they done?  No, not quite...     



Dick knows his way around a barbecue grill.





                
There has been work on the beach ever since we arrived - moving sand from about 5 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean to the beach by Ft. Pierce.  It's something for us to check on every day.  The beach was actually 4X bigger when we got back from the Keys!  This project should be done here in a couple of weeks.  In fact, the beach was open today, for the first time since we've been here.  There are open beaches all up and down the coast, so we can walk there and wade in the surf.
                

                                                                The NEW beach!

They're working on the street right by our marina also, so we get to hear and see the progress.

Ocean Village (Dick & Linda's Place) from the Ocean.

Goodbye, Fort Pierce........

Florida and beyond - The Keys

Yes, we are still in Ft Pierce and probably will be for another 10 days.

It's been quite a week!  We rented a compact car (and they gave us a convertible for the same price) so WooHoo, we took the Mitsubishi Eclipse and ran with it.  All the way to Key West and back!
                    The biggest problem was not squealing the tires when the light turns green!

This was at our resort in Marathon, FL - a quaint restored 50's type hotel that was really relaxing. 

 This town is about half-way down the Keys to Key West. 

But, first we stopped in Miami for the International Boat Show - the largest in the world!

Miami - too big, too many people, too much traffic and too hard to get around!

I wasn't impressed with the parts of Miami we saw.  But the boat show, now that was something else. Wow, didn't know I could still get that excited!

Lots of big, beautiful boats!

In the water show venue - one salesman we talked to was from Austrailia and the boat he was selling was originally designed and built in Holland (the Netherlands), but now the US version is being built in Holland, MI.

And in the parking lot - Go fast boats, this one displayed on it's side.

And inside the Miami Beach Convention Center, 4 levels of more boats and boat related products!

I think Don got his fill - I know I did!

No, I didn't get my fill.  I could have gone back for a second day, but our marriage was more important.  I never knew until visiting the show how much stuff  we still need for our boat.  It would be less expensive just to buy a 70 ft. yacht.  Actually that may be a good idea.  (But, then on second thought I don't want a divorce.) 

Now, it's on to Key West....

The famous Mallory Square, where the sunset is the main event, every day!

Vendors street muscians and street performers gather just before sunset to entertainthe tourists.

We've actually seen many beautiful sunsets here in Florida -it's always a special time for me!

The Disney cruise ship was docked here when we arrived.  2 other ships docked the next day - they estimate 3,000 people are aboard each ship.  So there were a lot of people there enjoying the sunny, warm weather and sights with us!

   

We toured Mel Fisher's Treasures (Don had read the book about the shipwreck recovered booty).

Here are some of the gold bars that were rescued from the sunken Spanish treasure ships in the early 1700's.  There was also a huge amount of silver bars, coins and other precious jewels.

View of the Botannical Center (which we toured) from the White Street Pier. 

In Key West - they have chickens running everywhere - Why?  Because they used to have them there for the Cock Fights and when they were outlawed, they just let them run free.  You hear this "cockadoodle do" all the time and just before we left we even saw some little chicks with their parents.  We saw many tourists, rode the trolley tour, ate some fresh seafood and just had a great time!

Don was taking some pictures here in Ft. Pierce and here was this peacock, just strutting his stuff!

There were several peacocks running loose just a few blocks from downtown. 

That's all folks - until next week....