We left Little River on Friday the 29^th in crisp but beautiful, sunny weather. Got underway a bit later than we had planned (because we had to finish cleaning and close up the condo before leaving!) and made great time on a wonderful passage through Myrtle Beach and down the ICW in the middle of the land of swamp fox to Bucksport, SC. We stopped at a great marina there – a price that couldn't be beat. We were the only people there (except for some winter / year round campers in their campground). We were glad to have power so we could run our Espar heater all night! It was cold – got down to 39 degrees!

The sunny, warm weather was short lived – Saturday was just dreary as we proceeded down the ICW to the middle of nowhere!! Spent the night in an anchorage in the south Santee river – it was so desolate but beautiful. Another cold night!

We arrived in Charleston, SC at about 3:30 this afternoon and are readying for an overnight on the Atlantic tomorrow. We have a good weather window for an overnight on the Atlantic tomorrow night so we will be heading out early in the morning. We expect to arrive in Fernandina Beach, FL Tuesday morning. So we have been getting our boat all set for the trip; making sure everything is set for sailing. We should have a relatively easy trip – the winds and seas are not expected to be heavy – however, we expect to be motoring into some headwinds for a good portion of the time. Will let you all know on the other end how it went!!! 

   The swing bridge just south of Little River. (Taken from inside our cockpit enclosure!) 

    The gondolas that take the golfers across the ICW in Myrtle Beach!

      The marina at Bucksport!

    At Bucksport we were on the dock right in front of the Seaweed Restaurant.

   Second night out of Little River we anchored in the South Santee River.  Lots of current but absolutely in the middle of nowhere.  There are very few places you can go and not hear any sounds of civilization.  This is one of them.

         This is where we were able to take Gracie ashore.  It is a Wildlife Refuge dock.  Not supposed to be for the public but it was the only place we could get Gracie ashore.  Tide ran about 5 ft!

      We tried to get her to go on sod we have on the boat!!!  Sits, lays but nothing else!  Poor little doggie!!!

     Above is where we stopped in Charleston, SC.  Just around the corner in front of us is Tohlers Marina.  We readied ourselves here on night three for the 30hr crossing the next day.