4/6/16           Wednesday          Charleston, SC


The joy of returning to places we've been is that we remember who we met and some of what we did. Returning to Charleston - it was MUCH easier entering this time from the other direction and much more laid down seas, not the 4'-5' chop of last fall; we're in the same marina as last time where we met Brian, and Craig and Dana, and John and Darlene, we're still in touch and have traveled with all of them; Sybil and Michael drove down and spent the day w/us and we had lunch in that fabulous place something like 248 Queen St (not the exact #s but that idea); and we know where the food store is and the laundry and shower facilities. Sweet. And tonight we walked further into town and had a hamburger at Henry's which is purported to be the oldest continually serving restaurant in Charleston. I needed a hamburger and not to cook it myself. We started on the outdoor, 2nd floor deck around 6:30. Quiet, only people out there. I leaned back in my chair and there were leaves on the mulberry tree over my head and light blue sky as background. Those raucous black birds than hang out on rigging wires were calling and chattering. Just lovely after an adventurous and arduous day on the boat.

Before boat excitement I'll mention the brilliance of the stars last night in Steamboat Creek. no light pollution so they were twinkling and so very many of them. I never see this many in Maine and, of course, we see different stars this far south. It was too cold to stay outside and really enjoy them. I did sit outside a very short while around 4:30 this morning. The Milky Way was so distinct and the lower horizon was cluttered with unfamiliar combinations. Breathtaking.

Pancakes for breakfast. Mediocre coffee which is the fault of the coffee, not the cook, and on our way. We had a brief conversation about our short yelling match yesterday, resolved that we just had different opinions of what the most treacherous hazard was. David thinking running aground, I thinking wrapping the prop. And, he pointed out that our relationship was not one of taking orders and commanding. All true. We've survived another...something...difference of opinions.

Pretty relaxed day of motoring and then.....a Coast Guard boat came roaring toward us with its blue lights flashing. It was meeting us so we moved over to give it room. I waved as we do to most all boats. It turned around and followed us. Oops! Excitement. Slowed right down, stuck my head out the door and said "Good morning, gentlemen." One of the young, handsome gentlemen (there were four of them) asked when was the last time I'd been boarded by the Coast Guard. "I've never been boarded by the Coast Guard. Is this my lucky day?" Turns out it was. We were instructed to continue on our way but at a slow pace and the CG boat would come alongside and tow men would come aboard. "Welcome" and introductions including Amelia who was a little wide-eyed, having never seen Coast Guards before. The two men did a pretty thorough safety and documentation check - the bilge, documentation papers for vessel, photo IDs, life jackets, head containment, notices of overboard waste and oil/fuel discharge. Very pleasant fellows and we, very pleasant hosts. Everything in order. We would have received an A+ and Good Citizen awards if they gave them out. Instead we got a yellow copy of the form that said our boat was in good, safe, legal order. I wanted a gold star. The CG boat that had been following about 20' behind came up alongside again, the young men left and David and I did the Charleston we were so excited to have been boarded by the CG. Felt as if we'd come of age somehow. Had to call someone immediately to tell them, so David called Joe Field who had been a CG trainer sometime in his past. They chatted until we came to Elliot Cut which empties into Charleston Harbor.

WOW! We were boarded by the Coast Guard! Got to put this on Facebook. Not sure why it tickles both of us so much but it does. Giggle.

Got into the Charleston Maritime Center around 1:00 PM (1300 hrs) and had to stay on the fuel dock until the tide came in. We now know that our exact draft is 4'3". David changed the oil (after a couple of false starts and ordering a oil filter wrench) and the trannie fluid. I did the laundry including our cushion covers. Well done, both of us, but exhausting. I had to take a short nap. Then we moved Grace over to the dock we were supposed to be on not that water was high enough.

Talked with boating friend, Clint (and Lori), who had an encounter with a rock in the "Rock Pile", a tricky, narrow, carved out part of the ICW. Fun to chat w/him about his mis-adventure, recovery and appreciation of Lori being with him (she's not right now). They're enough ahead of us that we probably won't see them again, or maybe in the Chesapeake.

Then a walk to dinner, maybe 1/2 mile in each direction, lovely place, delicious hamburger and fries, walk back and did a bit of food shopping as we'll be away from such easy access for the next several days.

David's gone to bed. Kitty is curled beside me. And I'm on my way to bed. Oh but last night's dreams: I needed to mow Kathleen's yard but took my time tying these silly little princess shoes that show the cleavage in your toes and were Not appropriate for mowing lawns but then I expected Dale would take care of the mowing. Some conversation with my mom about yes, good idea to help Kathleen.
There was another dream part I remembered this morning but it is lost now.