Well, I have made it back to the US. On April 16, I left Marsh Harbor, my base anchorage for the winter, on my way to the US via Treasure Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Allan’s-Pensacola Cay, Little Bahamas Bank, and Finally Ft. Pierce, FL. The weather for those stops was generally fine, except the last stop on the edge of Little Bahamas Bank just before the Gulf Stream. There is no protection there, and although the wind was only 15-20 knots from the northeast, the seas from the ocean were running 3-5 feet, which made the night at anchor rather tiring. So, left for the US ant 4:00 AM on April 21, under cloudy skies with diminishing winds. However did have to skirt several thunderstorms in the area until the sun came up, and it cleared up, except for a few short squalls.The crossing was good, seas of only 3 feet or less, lessoning as the east coast of Florida got closer. Entered Fort Pierce inlet under a rain squall, naturally, but it cleared up to a beautiful evening quickly. Cleared customs by phone, and went to the airport in Fort Pierce for immigration. All in all, the trip went very well, and I enjoyed it. Did the crossing with two other sailboats, Rhapsody Bleue, and Bonsai 1. That made the crossing a little easier, knowing if there was a problem, there were others close by.
Once in the US, started the trek up the Intracoastal Waterway, the opposite of going down in the fall, except it is a lot warmer. In addition to Ft. Pierce, I stopped in Titusville, FL to assist one of the boats I crossed with get ready to be hauled out for the summer. The boat was from Montreal, and the owner did not want to do the roundtrip again.
Then I stopped in St. Augustine, FL for a day, and then Charleston, SC for 2 days. In St. Augustine I did the sightseeing thing (couple of old houses, recreation of life in the 1700s, a couple of museums), along with a visit to a winery. In Charleston I went to Fort Sumter, and then out for dinner. The second day I was not feel well, so I jus took it easy and read and did a little boat cleaning. In between those stops, I anchored out in some pretty quiet and peaceful rivers.
So far the trip has been very pleasant. Tomorrow, I will stop in Little River, SC, right on the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, to have dinner with a friend from my working days. Then northward again, so I can be back in the Chesapeake Bay by June 1. That should not be a problem, as I am more than half way there already. Except for my stay in Charleston, the weather has been good, and I pray it will stay that way.
I hope to see everyone when I get back, at least those in the Chesapeake Bay area.
On my way,
Cliff
S/V Navigator
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