USA - Georgia, Wilmington River, Dock Party & TS Elsa

Another day and more fun. We spent the day doing some chores on Meshugga and I accompanied Johanna into town. She had an appointment, and dropped me off at a Shopping Mall for some Retail Therapy. Having not seen stores in more than six months, I was over-awed at the selection of Everything.

Whilst I waited for Johanna to be ready, I took a few photos of their spectacular home.

There were a few of these small lizards running around - very cute!

The view from the patio down to the river and dock with Selah and Meshugga

The view across their and their neighbors lawns

Just beautiful

And more so….

That evening a Dock Party was planned……

We ate aboard Selah and then everyone came to tour Meshugga, and we helped their appreciation with the supply of bubbles

Gene and Linda

Gavin and Beth

Next morning it was time to say Goodbye. Hurricane Elsa, now downgraded to a Tropical Storm, was approaching and Brads dock would be under sever pressure with two big yachts on it.

MV Selah’s dock

We motored further up the Wilmington River and went into the Herb Creek, to see out the night when the Tropical Storm would come over us.

The iconic hotel where in the 1930’s the Mafia operated out of. Now it is respectable Condos.

Our anchorage for the night. Mud flats behind us and in the south (where the wind is predicted to come from) heavy trees. No photo.

Tropical Storm Elsa approaching… 

Tropical Storm Elsa on Radar, we are right in the thick of the heaviest of rain.

We had 40 knots of wind constant, for our SAFFIR family and friends, that’s a good SouEaster blow.

As per Sod’s Law, TS Elsa came through at night 9.30pm - midnight with no moon. Our anchor held fast, and no leakage of water into Meshugga anywhere. 

All good !

USA - Georgia, Wilmington River, A Visit to Savannah

Brad and Johanna kindly offered to take us on a guided tour of Savannah which we’d heard was beautiful with old world charm and buildings to match.

We then headed for the iconic Electric Moon Skytop Lounge overlooking the Savannah River.

Johanna and Brad

Brad with the Talmadge Memorial Bridge behind him

Nicholas and Johanna

The Georgia Queen Paddle Steamer

Me and Johanna

It was also Johanna’s Birthday, and we’d offered to take them out, both to celebrate her birthday and to say thanks for hosting us on their dock and taking us to see Savanah. We tried numerous restaurants, but being 5 July, a Monday, and Independence Day weekend, most restaurants were closed.

We found Jalapeños Mexican Grill open and delicious!

However, not sure about this truck Nicholas next to…..

USA - Georgia, Wilmington River, 4th July, A visit to Brad and Johanna

We spent the week in West Palm Beach with almost no wind. The prediction was for wind to fill in on Friday 2 July, so we waited the 5 days and set off mid morning on Friday 2nd.

The big marinas we’re interestingly not as busy as we’d seen them in December 2020

 

Once again thank you to the Palm Beach Sailing Club who graciously received Amazon parcels on our behalf.

We headed directly east from West Palm Beach, the current pushing us in a NE direction, until we had a good 5 knots of Gulf Stream Current with us, and then we turned north and rode the current until it was time to head inland to Savannah.

Loved seeing the dolphins, we had a school of about 20 playing around Meshugga for a good half hour

We arrived midnight of 3 July at the inlet of the Wilmington River, and dropped anchor there rather than motor at midnight up a dark river.

The following day, 4th July we motored up the river and docked at Brad and Johanna’s house

Johanna comes to visit

We were invited by Brad and Johanna to join them for a 4th July BBQ Party at their neighbors house, also on the river.

Nicholas and Brad shoot the breeze

Linda and Gene’s beautiful house

The most amazing red sunset, followed by superb Fireworks

Himself and me

Linda’s Garden Art