Moonrise in the Low Country

Taken after sunset and just before dark off the ICW at Kilkenny, Georgia, this photo has, to me, a quality of Impressionism. It must have been the low light of twilight that 'caused' the camera to capture the serenity on the moment in this style. I didn't do anything special -- I was a point & shoot type guy... however, during this trip, I have developed some patience and a sense of right perspective when considering a shot with my Kodak 7.2 pixel camera. ha-ha BTW, it was real buggy at sunset and sunrise here. Knats. Uggg

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I suppose this will be the beginning of my 'best of the best' photos with some editing and framing. I am really enjoying going back through the 1,000 or so photos to do this - evoking memories of events that I have almost already forgotten. Damn!

At the Dock - Sharon, Pam, Peter & George

Sharon, Pam & Peter with the channel to the ICW behind them.

George, Pam & Pedro.
The dogs, Brandy and Bailey, are around somewhere.

Hickory Point

All things considered, this is, year around, one of the nicest locations along the entire Intracoastal Waterway.

CLICK photo to ENLARGE

End of Journey - Home Port

CLICK Photos to Enlarge - This works throughout the entire website.

Now that was fun! 4 months of "no particular place to go" ... living onboard and getting in 'boat shape' ... all the great meals, events and people met along the way -- and not one "bad" experience the whole trip! Of course, there were a few "oops" moments but they are truly hard to recall.

Alexandra fits nicely along her 3 new pilings and refurbished dock. Peter 'dredged' a nice hole for her to sit in North Carolina style - by running the engine and pushing the bottom away ... then turning the boat around and doing it some more. So far she still floats at dead low tide.

Peter plans on heading to the Chesapeake for a Bluewater rendezvous in a few months. George is back at home in Orlando and anticipating his next adventure. If anyone out there needs a first mate, chef, deckhand, b.n. for a yacht trip, please contact George...

I plan on posting some best of the best photos (my favs anyway) as time allows. I will also post notices of futre Alexandra adventures as they develope -- so check back occasionally!

Saludos and Smooth Sailing -
George & Peter

Wrightsville Beach to Hampstead, N.C. --- 14.5 nm to Home Port

The last leg of a wonderful 4 month boating adventure on board ALEXANDRA with Peter Morse.

The channel to Home Port lies on the other side of the pier.

The channel winds through the marsh to the dock at Peter's home.

Docked! Looking forward from the Main Salon.

The channel looking aft. We were a little early for high tide but had little problem with depth in the channel.

Peter's Home from the cockpit of ALEXANDRA.

ALEX and Peter's Wahoo runabout.

Docked at Home Port

Saturday April 11, 2009

McClellanville to Wrightsville Beach N.C. 137 Miles

We avoided the Myrtle Beach stretch of the ICW by going out then coming back in at the Cape Fear River.

Departing McClellanville at sunrise - breakfast underway.

Entering the Cape Fear River from seaward against an ebb tide with 20+ knots of wind behind us... short rough chop and minus 4 knots boat speed against the tide and river current.

Crossing the river towards the cut through to the ICW at Carolina Beach, scudding foam visible though not as choppy.

The banks along the cut and the scenery is looking a lot like North Carolina.

Wrightsville Beach dead ahead!

Alexandra parked in front of Peter's office.

Bluewater Yacht Sales, Wrightsville Beach Branch.

From here it is about an hour, 14.5 nm, to Home Port at Hickory Point. We plan to arrive at high tide on Saturday the 11th of April, 2009.

Kilkenny to McClellanville, SC - 150 miles

This was the 'longest day' of the entire Adventure.

Up and underway at Sunrise.

As the day 's weather developed we had some great fun riding and surfing some big southerly swells with 20+ knots of wind behind us... even stood up and drove like in the sailboat days.

McClellanville, South Carolina
About 35 nm North of Charlestown on the ICW

St. Augustine, FL to Kilkenny, GA

138 Miles

9 Hours on the water, we left St Augustine at 8 a.m. after fueling up for $2.09 per gallon.

Pam finishing up on the daily wash down and shammy detail.

The 4th full moonrise of the Alexandra Adventure.

Kilkenny Marina just off the ICW about halfway between Brunswick and Savannah.

We will head out at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning ...

Arrived Wrightsville Beach, NC

We arrived at 3:15 on Friday, April 10th after traveling 420 N.M. in 3 9 hour days since leaving St. Augustine, Florida Wednesday the 8th. We had decent weather for the trip after waiting out the cold front: winds 15 to 25 from the West and SW with 3-5 foot quartering seas ... we hand steered for about 5 hours a day until it laid down in the afternoon...

We will be going to Peter's home and dock on the high tide tomorrow morning --

Photos and more info will be posted soon.

Peter, Pam, Brandy & George

Northbound! 4-8-09

We waited out the 2 days of rain and wind and will head out tomorrow morning... destination: Kilkenny, Georgia -- weather permitting. (It is forecast to be low 30's - Yikes!, it is April ... It is good to be on the move again -- we were starting to get stir crazy --

Into The Mystic

Almost Full Moon - #4 of the Adventure

Windy & Cold

I will update as soon as possible... we will be traveling the "low country" of Georgia and I have no idea what kind of Internet will be available. Saludos!

St Augustine to Hampstead - Leg 4

Possible Layovers for Last Leg of Adventure

Well -- we had planned to leave St Augustine today, Tuesday April 7th, BUT we decided to wait out this COLD Front that has brought rain, 30 mph winds and record cold (mid 30's) to the area.

Even though we are getting restless, those conditions are just plain unappealing to travel in ... and we have ALL the amenities here at the Conch House.

I will update our departure when the weather breaks ...

Peter and Pam at Conch House Marina

St. Augustine Harbor Cruise

Amigo Rojo, Amanda and Peter

We had a very nice cruise of the area in March... the oldest occupied city in the USA. (Well, the 'locals' were here before the Europeans!). Very picturesque: the Fort, Flagler College, Bridge of Lions --

Bridge of Lions Renovation

City Marina and Skyline

The Boys at Hurricane Patties - Thanks Rojo!