M.V. Freya: 18-22 April 2013

We headed North today, headed to Beaufort. We had to say good bye to the Andersons since they were having their boat hauled in Thunderbolt to check their boat out since they have developed a vibration. We will miss them.

The trip to Port Royal (just out of Beaufort) was intense. Lots of "skinny" water.

Port Royal Marina

This was a nice marina - clean public areas and a helpful friendly staff. We were tied up on the outside of the face dock and the wind picked up - therefore there was a lot of wave action all night - noise and movement. Not a pleasant night.

We headed out the next morning for Charleston. Another intense, "skinny" water day with building wind added to the mix. By the time we got to Charleston, it was really blowing.

Ozel did an excellent job of getting Freya into her berth for the night.

The Harborage at Ashley Marina

I show this picture because this is the shower/restroom facility that you shouldn't expect on your boating voyage.

Ozel isn't studying charts - but a great menu!

This was a good stop. There was a very good restaurant within walking distance and the marina had a van that would take us downtown.

We stayed here an extra day because of the predicted strong winds and headed to Georgetown on the 21st. The weather and winds were good when we left the marina but the winds built steadily from the time we left the dock until we got into the harbor. Shortly after we entered the ICW, we heard a sailboat report 37 knot winds. We had gust greater than that!

This was in the process of being built out in the middle of nowhere!

This is the area where that house was being built. I show this picture to show how there was nothing to protect us from the wind.

The Race Committee contacted the Coast Guard to inform them that the Charleston Race Week races were cancelled for the day. The wind was unbelievable - we had spray on the bridge when we were in the Bay leading to Georgetown.

We found out later that there was a 67 mile an hour gust recorded between here and Charleston.

We safely arrived at the Harbor Walk Marina in Georgetown, SC. Another exciting landing - Ozel is really getting good at bringing Freya in under challenging conditions.

Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina, following Charleston and Beaufort, Georgetown was founded in 1729 and became an official port of entry in 1732. Prior to this, all foreign exports and imports had to pass through Charleston. Duties and the added freight had to be paid there. With the designation of Georgetown as a port of entry, the area's merchants and planters could deal directly with all ports, bypassing Charleston (from Georgetown website)