March 28, 2013 Day 321

The Downtown Marina of Beaufort
Beaufort, SC
Total miles to date: 5286.2

We departed the Shelter Cove Marina at Hilton Head promptly at 8:00 this morning.  Rick and Marie came over to say goodbye and to help with our lines.  (Marie also sneaked an Easter basket filled with goodies into our salon when we weren’t looking!).  They are such great people!

We wound our way back out of Broad Creek, passing other marinas. Shelter Cove is literally up the creek, but it was worth the detour!  We travelled under a bright sunny sky but the wind made for a fairly choppy ride.  We eventually entered Calabogue Sound, Skull Creek, Port Royal Sound (where we could see the ocean) and then the Beaufort River.  When we passed Parris Island, home of a major Marine training base, we noted the name on the water tower:  “We Make Marines”!

We arrived at the Downtown Marina of Beaufort at 12:30 and tied up on their transient T-Dock. We wasted no time getting checked in and then headed for the historical area – right off the dock.  We had already decided the best way to tour Beaufort is by carriage ride, so we got our tickets and twenty minutes later, we were on our way. Beaufort dates back to 1710 and has many homes on the historical register, most from the 1800’s.  The Union troops were in control of Beaufort during the Civil War and many homes were used for hospitals.  Spanish moss hangs from live oak trees and provides beautiful canopies for the narrow streets and lovely homes.

The historic Rhett House now an Inn



Beautiful mansion

The bridge from Beaufort to Lady's Island. This was used in Forrest Gump
as the Mississippi River!

Beaufort has also been the site for many movies such as The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, GI Jane, and more.  The river and the historic houses make Beaufort the perfect setting.

After our carriage ride, we browsed through many of the small shops, walked through the park along the waterfront, stopped for ice cream, then returned to our boat.

We had dinner on board (love the crock pot with a delicious pork tenderloin waiting for us) and then relaxed for the evening.

We will leave in the morning and travel about 40 miles to an anchorage.

A beautiful sunset and sailboat silhouettes

March 27, 2013 Day 320

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1

Today is our last day on Hilton Head Island and we spent it relaxing in the morning and getting the boat ready in the afternoon.  Joyce did laundry and Bill made some minor repairs.  Thanks to our friend Rick for taking Bill to West Marine for some last minute supplies! 

We had dinner on board tonight and fixed chicken on the grill.  This was the first calm day we have had.  It is still in the 50’s but sunny and with little wind, it seemed so much warmer!  Many kayakers went past our dock today!

We have a reservation at the Downtown Beaufort Marina tomorrow and hope to tour the historical area as soon as we arrive.  We have enjoyed our stay here in Hilton Head, especially since our daughter came to visit and with such good friends here also.

If you have never been to Hilton Head we would certainly recommend it as a destination!  The beaches, shopping, restaurants, golf courses, tennis courts, boating, and beautiful views won’t disappoint you!

 

March 26, 2013 Day 319

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1

Another chilly and windy day!  We have had wind gusts to over 30mph this week!  We slept late (a rarity) and then returned the rental car (yes, with one more stop at a grocery store!).  After lunch we did some boat chores.

Our friends Rick and Marie brought their family over to see the boat this afternoon. Their 16 month old grandson, Sean, was quite happy here! 

We joined them back at their condo for dinner.  Rick’s daughter Amy and son-in-law John prepared a fabulous steak dinner for everyone.  We had a fun evening visiting with them and playing with Sean.

Our plans are to stay in Hilton Head one more day and then go to Beaufort, SC on Thursday.  We expect to be in Charleston, SC over the weekend.

March 25, 2013 Day 318

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1

We had planned to take Kari to Savannah this morning to tour the city before her afternoon flight home.  But, with high winds and cold temps, we decided to stay on the boat until it was time to leave for the airport.  We are glad she could spend a few days with us!  The weather has been less than favorable, but we did have a relaxing visit with her.

We ran a few errands on the way home and then met Rick and Marie again for dinner.  We enjoyed having them come back to Carried Away for dessert.

We will see them again tomorrow afternoon.

March 24, 2013 Day 317

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1

We woke to rain again and it continued much of the morning with thunderstorms.  We had another late brunch on board!

We spent a very nice afternoon and evening visiting with old friends, Rick and Marie Schlosser who have a condo here on Hilton Head Island. Rick and Bill were childhood friends and he was in our wedding!  Rick visited with us on Carried Away in the afternoon.  We joined Rick and Marie and her mother in their condo for appetizers and then we all went to the Oyster Factory for a wonderful seafood dinner.  The food was excellent and the view of Broad Creek was perfect.

Visiting with Rick and Marie at their condo

We returned to the boat and relaxed for the evening. Our daughter, Kari will leave tomorrow.  We have had a good visit with her, in spite of the weather!

March 23, 2013 Day 316

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1

Kari and Joyce decided to some shopping before the rain started. We checked out several of the shops in Shelter Cove since these were all in walking distance.  After a quick stop at a nearby grocery store we came back for lunch – just as the rain began. 

Surprisingly the sun came out a couple of hour later so we ventured back out to do some more shopping. 

We cooked dinner on board again and just spent the evening relaxing.

March 22, 2013 Day 315

Shelter Cove Marina
Hilton Head Island, SC
Total miles to date: 5252.1



We got off to a late start today with brunch around 11:00. To Kari’s surprise, she slept late!  After brunch we drove across to Palmetto Dunes Resort and went for a short walk on the beach – wearing our fleece jackets!  Not the typical beach scene but it is always nice to see the ocean.



Our daughter, Kari

We came back to the boat and spent the day relaxing – playing some games and reading.  It started to rain in late afternoon so we were glad we had planned to have dinner on board.  Sometimes it is just good to have a day off!

Bill and Kari

This heron was ready for a ride
when we spotted him at our marina!

We are not sure of tomorrow’s plans – rain is in the forecast, so we will wait and see!