Charleston, SC

We have spent about a week in Charleston. Tropical Storm Noel and a strong cold front kept us in port, as well as Jeff’s dental appointment on the 5th of November (he rented a car and drove to Chattanooga). We anchored in the Ashley River for the first several days during the most severe weather, which is probably nothing compared to what we are going to see in the Bahamas when the cold fronts come through. The anchorage is open and we rocked and rolled. Winds up to 30 knots and tidal currents of 2 knots tested our ground tackle and our sea legs (as well as Shelby and Savannah’s). We did fine, although we were uncomfortable for a day when the wind was out of the ENE blowing across the harbor against the current causing large rollers in the anchorage. It was very difficult to access the dinghy. We moved to the Charleston City Marina for three days when Jeff went to Chattanooga (wouldn’t you know it, the weather cleared up) while Bob moved to a marina on the Cooper River. We were one of the much smaller boats in the marina. There were unbelievably huge boats in the marina – some will be there for several more days to several more months. They mostly had the ‘crew’ aboard, and not the owners, although a few did have an owner aboard, but not many. The crew moves the boat wherever the owner wants it moved to. We talked to crew members on numerous boats. Most said they live permanently on the boat and the owner just flies in for a weekend several times a year. We are talking boats that are in excess of 85 feet, some as large as 125 feet or more. We have posted a picture of a couple of them.

Our friends Sara and Michael, who we met in Deltaville, Va. where they keep their sailboat “White Star”, live in Mt. Pleasant (a suburb of Charleston) and were very gracious hosts while we were here. We had dinner at their home and met them on several occasions in Charleston. Michael is a professor at the Citadel, where we attended the Homecoming parade Friday afternoon. Thanks Sarah and Michael!






Cadets forming up for the Parade (right)








Cadets passing for review during Parade (below)







Bob’s friend Jan arrived in Charleston Saturday evening Nov. 3. We have not met Jan yet, as Bob’s boat was on the other side of Charleston from us. We are to meet them somewhere down around Beaufort, SC. and look forward to that.

Charleston is a uniquely beautiful city. Here are a couple of pictures from the water.

Top picture - Bridge over the Cooper River

Right picture - Downtown Charleston

Bottom picture - the anchorage we were in (with the marina in the background). There sure were a lot of boats at anchor. This was taken as we were leaving.