And we're off!!!

We are getting back onto the ICW today aka " the ditch" getting a late start due to tides and errands to finish off.  Boat is ready to go and we are ready to move on.  This is a great place to put in for an extended amount of time.  We will come back here if we are passing through this area again.

Tim & Morgan and puppy came up on Sunday and we went sailing out on Port Royal Sound.  Winds were good it was in the high 50's we had a great sail and time with our family.  But you can never go out and something not happening.  When we were dropping our tired old mainsail and it ripped, not a little tear but a 4 foot tear across the sail,  and that's how things seem to go when you are getting ready to head out to a new place.  We were leaving yesterday but the winds and weather were not cooperating. I dug out my sewing machine yesterday, had sail repair material with us, and sewed it up.  Winds were too high yesterday to put it back on.  We will put it up when we we are under way and when the winds are calmer, right now it is in the lazarette.
Tim took our truck back to Savannah with him and he will take care of it until we get back.  If we come back !!!!! 
Not on a time schedule any more so we go and do what we want.  Don't get me wrong here living on a boat is hard work and constant vigilance to anything that breaks, tears or falls off.  It is not all blue water, cocktails and parties.  But freedom is one of the biggest perks.
Will write again when we get across the border.  ttfn

sunset over Lady's Island

No Sock Zone--- Not Yet

Hello everyone
We are still in Lady's Island South Carolina.  We are leaving Monday or Tuesday to head south to the "No Sock Zone".  In a few days we will be in warmer weather enjoying the sun on our toes.  The weather here has been from 50 to 70 during the day and in 40's at night.  Not too bad for January but we are shooting for abundant sunshine and balmy nights when you can sit out on deck and have cocktails until the stars come out.  Soon my friends soon.
In the last two weeks we have built and finished our new cockpit table.  Joe has installed our hot water heater,  That project was long and painful to get done as Joe had to do yoga moves and squeeze into the starboard lazarette to get it installed. I bet he climbed in and out of there thirty or more times.  I honestly have never seen him bend that many ways.   But the end result was that we now have hot water on the boat.  It will make daily tasks  much easier.  Joe also installed a new fuel fill hose,  more yoga moves. Had to ask the assistant harbor master, Tolan, to help we needed his strength We then decided to build doors for our companionway with acrylic windows and screens.  This will let more light in and more air through.   Our boat has 3 hatch boards and we are tired of pulling them out and putting the in every time we get in and out.  Those are turning out nicely. We will have them completed enough before we shove off we can finish and install them later on.  It sure is nice to have a wood shop here!  Another project that got done this week was epoxy and paint under the salon settees.  Last spring we had to cut out the water tanks, they are stainless steel, and had them welded.  They were reinstalled and now the paint is on and it looks wonderful.   I did some significant sewing on our jib, dodger and nav. station cover.  Made curtains for the boat so it has been busy busy. Just have to finish up what is started now so we be on our way.
I have finished up my physical therapy for now on my arm.  I have some more motion back but not all.  A few more weeks and I am sure it will get better.
There is a bar here called the Fillin Station that is within 2 blocks of the marina.  Thursday is fried pork chop night, you get 2 huge pork chops, potatoes, corn and beans for 5 bucks.  Friday is Ribeye steak night and you get a gigantic steak, baked potato and a vegetable for 10 bucks.  Yes we have hit this spot several times during our stay.  another place we liked was a burger joint called Fat Patty's  yummy burgers there.   Fresh shrimp and seafood we buy from local fishermen and the local farmers market are awesome. Mostly I cook on the boat but it is nice to eat out too.  No dishes to do.

We will miss all of the fun at the commodores banquet tonight.  Hope everyone has a great time.
Next time you read the blog it should be from the "NO SOCK ZONE". 
TTFN

Sailing on January 3rd with Jim & Ashley

Weather here today is in the 50's and raining so some of the boat projects are on hold today.  We are in the process of installing a water heater. It will be nice to be able to do dishes without boiling water in the tea kettle. Another project we are working on is a cockpit table, which I am currently putting many layers of varnish on the wood so it will look good for many seasons.   Joe just finished putting a new fuel access hose going to the fuel tank.  When we filled up with fuel the last time we could smell it really bad.  Come to find out the hose was really soft and spoungie was about to break so he replaced that.  There was a lot involved in that project and we had to go ask one of the guys from the harbor to help get it installed as i am still not able to do that much with my arm and hand.
 The arm is getting better, cast is off, doing some therapy to get flexibility and strength back. 
We are planning to move on soon into Florida.  Have to get the water heater in first, we have access to lots of stores here so it is easier to get parts.  We have traveled back and forth to Savannah several times visiting Tim & Morgan.  We have had great fun with them.
I cannot say enough about the quality of people we have met during our travels.  Our new Canadian friends we have met here and all the cruisers.  No people better than a group of sailors. 
We had visitors from CSA for New Years Jim & Ashley came to visit for 4 days.  We took them sailing one day, Ashley was tickled to see the dolphins that came right up to the boat.  Went to Gays Fish Company and bought fresh caught shrimp right off the boats.  It was delicious. We also took a trip to Savannah for Morgans birthday   dinner.  Fun was had by all. It was sad to see them leave.  Always nice to see friends from home.