Beaufort, South Carolina

Renne' and I are sitting in the cabin, 1835 (6:35pm), on Sunday evening.  It is hotter than blue blazes outside and we have just finished dinner.  We arrived yesterday afternoon at about 1500 (3pm) and we are at the Downtown Marina of Beaufort, SC.  Now that is as in Beautiful Beaufort, not Bowfort.  They are Quite Specific as to that point!  Let me digress.

Our niece, Kali, left us in Jacksonville, and headed home to Columbia, on the 20th.  We had just landed at Sadler Point to have the boat fixed, when we were talking with her about heading for Hilton Head.  When she discovered she would not have air conditioning on the boat while off shore, we think she decided it wasn't worth being hot and sweaty if there wasn't a beach to get a suntan on!!

The first picture is Renne' and Kali at The Jacksonville Landing at Hooter's watching the final FIFA Women's Soccer Tourniment where the US Women's team gave up the last point to Japan.  She was depressed for a day!  LOL!!  Sorry Kali.  The second pic is Renne' and Kali at Jacksonville Beach - Great day and Kali got sunburned.  She is fair and I don't think we were out there an hour!!

So Kali rode home to Columbia, SC with her cousin, Fletcher, and that left Renne' and I on our own.  On Wednesday, the 27th, however, we were joined by Renne's Step Uncle Levi (Wilma's brother), and we departed Jacksonville for Hilton Head.  We were SO ready to get going!

We left NAS Jax about 0945 on Thursday and didn't hit the Atlantic until about 1345 (1:45pm).  Levi has sailed throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, and we have been so impressed with his knowledge and we both have enjoyed learning directly for an expert!  We sailed north out of the Saint John's River to Tybee Roads, made the sticky crossing over the shallows and up the Calibogue Sound, behind Hilton Head Island. 

We landed at Windmill Harboar (South Carolina Yacht Club) and had to enter through a set of locks.  Now this was educational!  This was our first for this.  Neither Renne' nor I, nor Lee for that matter, have ever been through locks.  What is hard to comprehend it the 8 foot tidal range they have to deal with here on the east coast!

We had a great dinner at the South Carolina Yacht Club, and left Hilton Head Saturday morning.  We headed up and out of the Calibogue Sound and across the Port Royal Sound, and up the Beaufort River past Paris Island Marine Corp Recruit Depot.  Now besides the new Marine Recruits that are trained here, this is where all of the Marine Drill Instructors are trained.  Now I was a Naval Aviator, and as a flight student, I was instructed by the very best the United States Marine Corp could throw at us!

Now there is NOTHING in the world as intimidating as this picture!  I had to salute them as we were motoring by, just for memory's sake!!!



Just around the bend, we came on Beaufort's Downtown Landing.  Very nice, a bit expensive, and great docks!

So, last night, Lee, Renne' and I had dinner at Emily's here in town.  This is one of 7 sets of swings overlooking the riverfront here in Beaufort.  Comfortable.

So Levy decided this morning he needed to head back home.  He said we are a loving couple, and he missed that and wanted to go home and do his own adventure with one of the ladies he dates.  He is incredibly active, and we have really enjoyed his being with us during this portion of our adventure.  We wish him the very best.

So it is getting late, we have had dinner and sundowners.  Tomorrow we are headed for Charleston, SC for the next two months.  So we will meet up with you there for sundowners on the docks.  We miss you all!

JonNe'