Thursday August 24 to Wednesday August 30, 2017
Thursday morning we drove to Charleston and caught a direct flight to Houston where we rented a car and drove north to David's family home in "The Woodlands". That night it started to rain and I think its still raining. We were aware of the bad forecast before we left, but basically ignored it. Not too sure why - maybe because the press is so inclined to exaggerate bad weather, plus our experience of hurricanes is that they land and make a mess and a couple of days later everything is back to normal. Oh well, not this time.
"The Woodlands" is a beautiful residential area about 25 miles north of downtown Houston and is probably a couple of hundred feet higher than urban Houston. There are several "man-managed" waterways and lakes in the area and as the rain fell these swelled somewhat but the water kept moving and basically flowed into Houston proper. Houston is as flat as a table top. David's house is two story brick and built about 6' higher than the road. The serious rain started Friday and by Sunday the Woodlands had received over 18"of rain. Occasionally the road was flooded from gutter to gutter, but it moved on quickly.
Meanwhile we were entertaining ourselves inside playing board games with the kids and watching TV as the disaster unfolded in Houston. Occasionally we grabbed umbrellas and checked out the local "creeks" as well as the coffee supply at Starbucks (Plenty!) Jen had lots of food in the house which was a good thing because the supermarkets were getting a bit low on some items. The pool wanted to overflow, but there was an overflow drain and so that water probably ended up in Houston too. We constantly received "flash flood" and "tornado watch" alarms on our iPhones but nothing bad seem to happen locally. Jen organized a blanket collection with her friends and took them to the local shelter, but were told "We have plenty". We never lost power, telephone or internet connectivity.
Deidre and I were initially scheduled to fly out on Monday but as the storm extended I moved the reservation first to Tuesday and then Wednesday. However our airport (Houston Hobbie) was south of downtown and totally isolated and had closed on Saturday, and on Monday I heard that it probably would not open until the following weekend. At that point I contacted the rental car people and arranged to return the car to the Charleston airport. We said our goodbyes after lunch on Monday and headed further north and then east.
We had no trouble with flooded roads or getting gas, and made it back to Tide Hiker Wednesday afternoon, 1,250 miles later. The rental (a VW) managed to get 41 mpg, so the gas and two cheap motels probably cost less than the air fare. We had not driven this route thru the USA and we were impressed with the countryside and local towns. I like a road trip
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Cinnamon Beach
Saturday August 12 to August 19, 2017
The Taylors and the "old Blackmans" rented a condo for the week right on the beach at Cinnamon Beach, about 45 miles south of St. Augustine, Florida. For us it was a drive from HHI of about 240 miles, for Kylie and family about 100 miles more. Our condo was on the 4th floor of a 5 story building, overlooking the beach as you can see from the photo below. And it was a perfect beach. Kyli and Ryan were looking for a break from work, Deidre and I were looking forward to a week with Mason and Audrey.
The weather for the week was almost perfect - hot and dry each morning until the thunder storms rolled in at mid afternoon, when we could take a break from the sun and enjoy a beer on the balcony. Mason was a bit hesitant in the waves.
We were able to mix in a few outings - Wednesday into St Augustine to explore the fort and ride on a pirate ship. Friday we visited an alligator zoo. And a few dinners out.
The Taylors and the "old Blackmans" rented a condo for the week right on the beach at Cinnamon Beach, about 45 miles south of St. Augustine, Florida. For us it was a drive from HHI of about 240 miles, for Kylie and family about 100 miles more. Our condo was on the 4th floor of a 5 story building, overlooking the beach as you can see from the photo below. And it was a perfect beach. Kyli and Ryan were looking for a break from work, Deidre and I were looking forward to a week with Mason and Audrey.
 |
| Our view |
We were able to mix in a few outings - Wednesday into St Augustine to explore the fort and ride on a pirate ship. Friday we visited an alligator zoo. And a few dinners out.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Shelter Cove Marina
Monday July 10, 2017
32 10 874 N
80 43 692 W
Apparently the approach to this marina can get a bit skinny at low tide so we upped anchor at 8:30 AM so we would arrive right at high tide about 10 AM. All went per plan and the approach up 3 miles of Broad Creek was very pleasant, with lots f fancy houses on both banks.
The marina is pretty posh and very well protected, although a bit squeezed and with a depth problem (so we now have seen for ourselves). The marina is the central feature of a vacation resort with lots of restaurants, shops, music just about every night and fireworks on Tuesdays. And the marina delivers a newspaper to Tide Hiker every morning! Sweet.
We were assigned a slip and settled in, but noticed 6 hours later, at low tide, that we were sitting on the bottom. A visit to the office got us a new slip assignment and when we had some water under us we moved. I suppose they try that on all the new comers. Now we have about 12" to 18" under us at low.
Friday July 28, 2017
We have been here almost 3 weeks now and are pretty settled into a routine. We like the marina and the island and we are within day-trip distance from Charleston. The only negatives are that its been bloody hot and there are few live on boards and we have not made any new friends.
There is plenty of entertainment here. Tuesday nights are "fireworks nights" and maybe a couple of thousand people gather here and crowd the walkways and ice cream shops. Thursday night is "big band" night and the whole place is crowded again. This entertainment is very much oriented to families and kids, which makes it extra fun. There are at least 5 restaurants around the water and two or three of them have music every night, so usually Deidre and I will eat on the deck and be serenaded.
Last week we drove to Charleston for Deidre to see the hip specialist. He recommended a replacement hip, soon er rather than later. The recovery period adds up to about 2 months and living on Tide Hiker is not an ideal arrangement. We seem to have had some "close calls" on selling her, but no deal as yet, so we are a little uncertain as to the next step. But our priority is to get her a new hip ASAP. In the mean time the steroid injection into Deidre's hip is still helping a lot.
In the meantime life goes on. We have rented a beach front apartment in Florida to share with Kylie and family for the weekend of August 12/19. We have just booked flights to Houston to visit David and family, August 24/28. And Adam's family are visiting us here September 7/10. So that's all good.
32 10 874 N
80 43 692 W
Apparently the approach to this marina can get a bit skinny at low tide so we upped anchor at 8:30 AM so we would arrive right at high tide about 10 AM. All went per plan and the approach up 3 miles of Broad Creek was very pleasant, with lots f fancy houses on both banks.
The marina is pretty posh and very well protected, although a bit squeezed and with a depth problem (so we now have seen for ourselves). The marina is the central feature of a vacation resort with lots of restaurants, shops, music just about every night and fireworks on Tuesdays. And the marina delivers a newspaper to Tide Hiker every morning! Sweet.
We were assigned a slip and settled in, but noticed 6 hours later, at low tide, that we were sitting on the bottom. A visit to the office got us a new slip assignment and when we had some water under us we moved. I suppose they try that on all the new comers. Now we have about 12" to 18" under us at low.
Friday July 28, 2017
We have been here almost 3 weeks now and are pretty settled into a routine. We like the marina and the island and we are within day-trip distance from Charleston. The only negatives are that its been bloody hot and there are few live on boards and we have not made any new friends.
There is plenty of entertainment here. Tuesday nights are "fireworks nights" and maybe a couple of thousand people gather here and crowd the walkways and ice cream shops. Thursday night is "big band" night and the whole place is crowded again. This entertainment is very much oriented to families and kids, which makes it extra fun. There are at least 5 restaurants around the water and two or three of them have music every night, so usually Deidre and I will eat on the deck and be serenaded.
Last week we drove to Charleston for Deidre to see the hip specialist. He recommended a replacement hip, soon er rather than later. The recovery period adds up to about 2 months and living on Tide Hiker is not an ideal arrangement. We seem to have had some "close calls" on selling her, but no deal as yet, so we are a little uncertain as to the next step. But our priority is to get her a new hip ASAP. In the mean time the steroid injection into Deidre's hip is still helping a lot.
In the meantime life goes on. We have rented a beach front apartment in Florida to share with Kylie and family for the weekend of August 12/19. We have just booked flights to Houston to visit David and family, August 24/28. And Adam's family are visiting us here September 7/10. So that's all good.
 |
| "Big Band" night. Lots of families and kids. |
Sunday, July 9, 2017
May River Anchorage
Sunday July 9, 2017
32 11 982 N
80 48 712 W
As Sunday tradition requires, we wandered into "town" for Sunday breakfast at the "Hoddle House". We "hoddled" out an hour later with $15 of breakfast in our happy tummies. Such a deal.
Not in a hurry, we did not drop lines until about 11:30 AM and caught the outgoing tide all the way down the Beaufort River, reaching the astonishing speed of just under 9 knots opposite Paris Island, the marine base. By 3 PM we had dropped anchor in the may River, just across from Hilton Head Island. We are now only about 10 miles from "Shelter Cove". Apparently the approach is a bit shallow, so we will go in at 10 AM tomorrow at the peek of the morning high tide.
Our anchorage reminds me of one of the reasons we have so enjoyed this lifestyle. The east coast of the USA is heavily populated, and we are maybe 5 miles from a resort island, but we feel like we could be in the Amazon - not a person or a building in sight. (And yet the internet connection is great and we found over 40 TV channels! So much for the Amazon.)
Its a few degrees cooler today and there is a decent breeze, so no a/c. And we have the two big fans running, so its quite pleasant.
32 11 982 N
80 48 712 W
As Sunday tradition requires, we wandered into "town" for Sunday breakfast at the "Hoddle House". We "hoddled" out an hour later with $15 of breakfast in our happy tummies. Such a deal.
Not in a hurry, we did not drop lines until about 11:30 AM and caught the outgoing tide all the way down the Beaufort River, reaching the astonishing speed of just under 9 knots opposite Paris Island, the marine base. By 3 PM we had dropped anchor in the may River, just across from Hilton Head Island. We are now only about 10 miles from "Shelter Cove". Apparently the approach is a bit shallow, so we will go in at 10 AM tomorrow at the peek of the morning high tide.
Our anchorage reminds me of one of the reasons we have so enjoyed this lifestyle. The east coast of the USA is heavily populated, and we are maybe 5 miles from a resort island, but we feel like we could be in the Amazon - not a person or a building in sight. (And yet the internet connection is great and we found over 40 TV channels! So much for the Amazon.)
 |
| Today's view from my window |
Lady Island Marina, Beaufort
Saturday July 8, 2017
32 11 976 N
80 48 707 W
We hauled in the anchor and got underway a bit earlier this morning so we had time to get to Lady Island and tidy up before our guests arrived. We have visited Lady island a few times over the last 6 years and they greeted us like old friends - quite nice.
Our guests arrived about 5 PM (with a couple of grand kids in tow) and seemed to be quite impressed with Tide Hiker.
32 11 976 N
80 48 707 W
We hauled in the anchor and got underway a bit earlier this morning so we had time to get to Lady Island and tidy up before our guests arrived. We have visited Lady island a few times over the last 6 years and they greeted us like old friends - quite nice.
Our guests arrived about 5 PM (with a couple of grand kids in tow) and seemed to be quite impressed with Tide Hiker.
Friday, July 7, 2017
Back in the Ashapoo River
July 7, 2017
32 32 427 N
80 27 114 W
Three cruising boats came "home" to the IOP yesterday, initiating the end of Tide Hiker's stay. We were fortunate to be able to stay another night and leave in the AM. A bunch of people came over for a farewell drink Thursday night. Tide Hiker backed out of her slip at about 9:30 AM this morning.
Another stinking hot day. By about 11 AM we were both rather overcome and so fired up a generator and retreated into the air conditioned Pilot House. Received a call from people interested in Tide Hiker and arranged to take a slip in Beaufort on Saturday so they can have a look.
Lots of thunder storms all around but we seemed to slip between them until it came time to anchor in the Ashapoo. The rain was welcome but the lightening was a bit intense. Only lasted 1/2 an hour or so but soon the sun was shining on the marsh around us. Only about 22 NM to Beaufort from here, so we should get in early enough to give Tide Hiker a bit of a wash before our guests arrive.
Ran the big gen and the a/c all night.
32 32 427 N
80 27 114 W
Three cruising boats came "home" to the IOP yesterday, initiating the end of Tide Hiker's stay. We were fortunate to be able to stay another night and leave in the AM. A bunch of people came over for a farewell drink Thursday night. Tide Hiker backed out of her slip at about 9:30 AM this morning.
Another stinking hot day. By about 11 AM we were both rather overcome and so fired up a generator and retreated into the air conditioned Pilot House. Received a call from people interested in Tide Hiker and arranged to take a slip in Beaufort on Saturday so they can have a look.
Lots of thunder storms all around but we seemed to slip between them until it came time to anchor in the Ashapoo. The rain was welcome but the lightening was a bit intense. Only lasted 1/2 an hour or so but soon the sun was shining on the marsh around us. Only about 22 NM to Beaufort from here, so we should get in early enough to give Tide Hiker a bit of a wash before our guests arrive.
Ran the big gen and the a/c all night.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Isle of Palms, SC
Thursday, June 1, 2017
32 48 243 N
79 45 371 W (About!)
Because of the 20 plus miles we squeezed in last night, we had a comfortable 50 NM to the IOP today. We expected an easy day, the forecast was good and we were very familiar with the route. As expected we arrived at the IOP by about 4:30 PM and enjoyed a friendly welcome from old friends at the marina. The only complication all day was hitting a crab pot in Charleston harbor - the first time we had actually hit one in 5 years.
We have this slip for June, and perhaps for another 2 weeks into July because the owner's trip has been delayed by generator issues. Some time this month we have to find another slip as we would like to stay in the area.
Today is Sunday June 11 and I am trying to bring the blog up to date. Once upon a time I thought that as I got older I would become calmer and wiser but next week I turn 70 and I do not feel either. In many respects the last 10 days have been stressful as we try and get the boat ready for sale. (We have another showing on Friday 16th.) And I find it hard to write the blog when I feel overwhelmed.
Seems that a common question our "prospects ask" is about Tide Hiker's air draft. (The reason is that there is a fixed bridge on the Cal-Sag canal in Indiana that only clears 19'1". Boats doing "The Loop" need to be able to clear under this bridge.) I measured it a few years ago when we had the solar panels installed, but I have lost the results. So I purchased two pieces of 1"by 2" by 8' from Lowes, screwed them together and laid them over the solar panels, with a piece of surveyor's string attached to one end, and weighed down to hang straight. Tide Hiker was rocking ever so slightly, so the result was 18' 11.5" plus/minus about 1/2".
Also, Tide Hiker is currently quite light, with only about 100 gallons of fuel and 200 gallons of water, so filling her to the brim with fuel (800 gallons) and water (400 gallons) would add almost about 6,000 pounds and lower her another 4" or 5". And that does not consider a reasonable beer stash!
Deidre gets her injection on Tuesday and we have high expectations!
Saturday June 17, 2017
Its been a busy week with a potential buyer visiting on Thursday and my 70th birthday party on Saturday. Its Sunday now and I am pleased it is all over because today is our first "day of rest" for a while.
Monday July 3, 2017
We always seem to be busy. Tide Hiker is in great shape but there are always jobs. I finally found the leak in the mast and sealed it. Over the last few days I have repainted the dink "battleship grey" and she looks pretty smart. We have had a couple of really good (at least we thought so) showings, but no deals as yet.
The dinghy has been progressively getting a bit shabby over the last few years (it gets lots of use) and so I decided to paint it. I could access its starboard side when stowed on deck, but to get at the port side we had to lower the dink onto the finger and borrow a small boat to work from on its port side. The new paint looks great, but its quite gray, so now the dinghy now looks like a destroyer!
Last week (after a 10 AM showing) we jumped into the car and headed north for Cleveland. Spend barely a day with the kids and continued on to East Chicago where I had some business to attend to. Then straight back to Charleston - 2,150 miles in 6 days. The car averaged 27 MPG!
Our month at the IOP ended Saturday. We can drag it out to about the end of this week but then we must depart. There are just no local slips available so we have booked a slip for two months at a fancy place on Hilton Head ("Shelter Cove") and that should be fine. Kathy likes HH and is already planning a visit.
David and Jen and family arrived back in the USA last Saturday. They are moving back into their house, but their "specific" future is uncertain. They are now an ocean away from the nut case in North Korea, but sadlyan ocean closer to the nut case in Washington.
Tomorrow is July 4 and we are taking Kylie and family out into Charleston harbor on Tide Hiker to watch the fire works. We will stay at anchor overnight then return to the slip in the AM. I hope Audrey does not get sea sick!
On July 4 Kylie arrived with the two nippers by about 5 and by 7 PM we were anchored in a prime spot in the harbor. The heat was intense so I fired up the big gen and the a/c so that no one needed to over heat. Ended up running the big gen and the a/c all night, this was a first for Tide Hiker.
32 48 243 N
79 45 371 W (About!)
Because of the 20 plus miles we squeezed in last night, we had a comfortable 50 NM to the IOP today. We expected an easy day, the forecast was good and we were very familiar with the route. As expected we arrived at the IOP by about 4:30 PM and enjoyed a friendly welcome from old friends at the marina. The only complication all day was hitting a crab pot in Charleston harbor - the first time we had actually hit one in 5 years.
We have this slip for June, and perhaps for another 2 weeks into July because the owner's trip has been delayed by generator issues. Some time this month we have to find another slip as we would like to stay in the area.
Today is Sunday June 11 and I am trying to bring the blog up to date. Once upon a time I thought that as I got older I would become calmer and wiser but next week I turn 70 and I do not feel either. In many respects the last 10 days have been stressful as we try and get the boat ready for sale. (We have another showing on Friday 16th.) And I find it hard to write the blog when I feel overwhelmed.
Also, Tide Hiker is currently quite light, with only about 100 gallons of fuel and 200 gallons of water, so filling her to the brim with fuel (800 gallons) and water (400 gallons) would add almost about 6,000 pounds and lower her another 4" or 5". And that does not consider a reasonable beer stash!
 |
| Measuring our air draft |
Deidre gets her injection on Tuesday and we have high expectations!
Saturday June 17, 2017
 |
| Tide Hiker with her party lights |
Monday July 3, 2017
We always seem to be busy. Tide Hiker is in great shape but there are always jobs. I finally found the leak in the mast and sealed it. Over the last few days I have repainted the dink "battleship grey" and she looks pretty smart. We have had a couple of really good (at least we thought so) showings, but no deals as yet.
The dinghy has been progressively getting a bit shabby over the last few years (it gets lots of use) and so I decided to paint it. I could access its starboard side when stowed on deck, but to get at the port side we had to lower the dink onto the finger and borrow a small boat to work from on its port side. The new paint looks great, but its quite gray, so now the dinghy now looks like a destroyer!
 |
| Cleaning and painting the dinghy - she now looks like new! |
Last week (after a 10 AM showing) we jumped into the car and headed north for Cleveland. Spend barely a day with the kids and continued on to East Chicago where I had some business to attend to. Then straight back to Charleston - 2,150 miles in 6 days. The car averaged 27 MPG!
Our month at the IOP ended Saturday. We can drag it out to about the end of this week but then we must depart. There are just no local slips available so we have booked a slip for two months at a fancy place on Hilton Head ("Shelter Cove") and that should be fine. Kathy likes HH and is already planning a visit.
David and Jen and family arrived back in the USA last Saturday. They are moving back into their house, but their "specific" future is uncertain. They are now an ocean away from the nut case in North Korea, but sadlyan ocean closer to the nut case in Washington.
Tomorrow is July 4 and we are taking Kylie and family out into Charleston harbor on Tide Hiker to watch the fire works. We will stay at anchor overnight then return to the slip in the AM. I hope Audrey does not get sea sick!
On July 4 Kylie arrived with the two nippers by about 5 and by 7 PM we were anchored in a prime spot in the harbor. The heat was intense so I fired up the big gen and the a/c so that no one needed to over heat. Ended up running the big gen and the a/c all night, this was a first for Tide Hiker.
 |
| Eventually, they crashed. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)