Nov. 23, 2020 - January 5, 2021.  A few additional stops on the AICW before we headed home for the holidays. We pray that all will find hope, peace and grace in whatever form of celebration your holidays look like.  While different this year, I will look for all the Grace moments I can.  Merry Christmas.

Nov. 15-17, 2020. 

Under the Bridge of Lions and into the City Marina, we then met Albert and Sarah for drinks at AIA Ale House and eventually dinner at Harry's. They know the town well and were great tour guides. The entire city is lit up with their annual Night of Lights and it is a magical place to be with great weather (albeit windy) and the beautiful and festive town.  St. George Street is a fun pedestrian street within the original walled city, marked by the original City Gates.  The next morning we walked the town, ate breakfast at the the popular Maple Biscuits Company and then hopped on the trolly tour to get more history.  The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is the oldest surviving fort in the US dating to the mid 1700's.  There are many sights here built by Henry Flagler (Standard Oil and RR) including the original hotel which is now Flagler College. Met up again with some more boaters we've met along our journeys for drinks. After taking in more of the festive feel of the city we caught most of the Vikings game win.  Overall this charming town is a place to return to whenever passing by.  

Nov. 13-14, 2020

Nov. 12-13, 2020.  A long day on the GA intracoastal through the grasslands with lots of rain and some wind (Hurricane Eta again).  When we arrived at the Brunswick River cut we found this freighter, the MV Golden Ray, on its side.  Researching we found that it sunk in Sept. of 2019 at only 3 years old, for unknown reasons. It is being cut up in place.  We into Jekyll in time for a mini tour on the golf cart through the Historic District.  This area includes the original Jekyll Island Club.  The Club officially opened its doors in January 1888, quickly becoming a retreat for families that represented one-sixth of the world's wealth. Many of the members built expansive houses over the next 30-40 years which are now hotels and wedding venues.  Dinner at the marina at Zachary's was good with local fish.  We spent the next morning taking the golf cart to the driftwood beach which I found to be photographers paradise.  Enjoyed a lunch at the Jekyll Island Club in the Historic District before heading to Fernadina Beach, FL. 

Nov 9-12, 2020.  Isle of Hope is a suburb of Savannah along the Skidaway River. When we arrived we were able to use the marina courtesy car with Brian and Michelle to go into Savannah.  Walked around a quiet town and had a great time at Treylor Park with super unusual food combo's and great drinks.  The next day was a total rainout. (related to Hurricane Eta) so we were on boat projects all day and ran errands.  The next morning we drove Brian and Michelle to the airport and then stopped in Savannah for several hours, doing the Prohibition Museum & lunch on the water at Huey's (great shrimp and grits).  Dinner close to the marina at Jalepeno's Mexican.  

Another port we missed on our hurry north.  Still traveling with Kitumba.  Rainy day from Charleston on the AICW with Hurricane Eta starting to have impact on the east coast with high winds and squalls.  We arrived to a warm a decent remainder of the day.  Spent the afternoon walking the downtown and the historic district.  Saw the Big Chill house, got local chocolate and got great pictures of the moss covered trees. 
Downpour rain moved in about dinner time and we just hung out on the boat for the evening relaxing and getting pizza. 

Nov. 5-8, 2020.  An inside (AICW) passages about 60 miles to Charleston, traveling with Kitumba.  Upon settling in we met Brian and Michelle at the Vendue Rooftop for HH with a lovely sunny view, but a lot of wind.  Walked downtown and settled on dinner at Amen for great oysters and seafood. 
Other highlights of our 3 days stay include: the Slave Trade Museum, lunch at Masons Lobster Rolls, shopping the market area & Byrds cookies, Ansons for dinner was fabulous with Brian and Michelle, followed by our Ghost & Cemetery Tour, lunch at Poogans BBQ with Noah Ruh, riding our rented bikes around town, and finally sunset HH and evening on Kitumba (where we also met Steve and Suzie (All Talk) and Andrew & Jason). 

November 4, 2020. We missed this lovely small town on our way north and hope to stop here again as it is a most charming place.  A 60's downtown with local shops, studios and pubs. 

We were able to take the outside route today with following seas. Met Brian & Michelle (Kitumba) for dinner  at the Big Tuna and a nice evening - watching updates on election on Kitumba. 

After waiting out the winds of Hurricane Zita in Coinjock, VA, we made our way back through the North Carolina ports.  Weather included some wind but definitely warmer than Minnesota where early snows are falling.