Leaving Charleston, Destiny uncharted

Where is our destiny?  Che asked.  His fingers were placed on the Raymarine e95.

You can’t find destiny on a chart, I replied.  Our current destination is the South Channel of Ossabaw Island.

So much confusion over destiny and destination…  We left Charleston, our home with as many ties as an Irish man has stories, just yesterday, later than intended (yep, doing the best I can) but still on ‘my time’.   We were loaded down with provisions, sold as ‘trading items’ to Justin who watched as the pounds added time to our future journeys.  We fueled up, tearfully said so long, and felt much like we were heading off to something fantastic while leaving something clearly wonderful behind.

The months leading to this endeavor involved bulk buying trips (the word Costco makes me cringe even now), seminars at sea, studying (or planning to study) boat manuals, installing a water maker (thank the proud Captain for that), installing communication systems (big fan thus far of wiriepro and my pal, Eddie, at mrsimcard), getting learned on homeschooling, all the while working and temporarily closing up a home in Charleston.  Did I mention the three kids??

Kids in a storm in the days leading to departure

The boat was a mess at departure.  Despite multiple preparations and cleanings, when dock carts are coming down at the last minute there will inevitably be clutter.  Luckily (?) the wind was not participating as an energy source so we pushed the varied bags into quick storage and got on our way.  A very calm sea state started the trip, and was further fueled by the gifts bestowed upon the young ones.   A motoring start but one we were happy to accept.

We passed Folly Beach in stages, Morris Island, the water tower, the condos (therefore the pier), and the county park (end of the island).  We couldn’t see him but we were followed by golf cart (the second least efficient vehicle) by my brother, Joey, on land giving us confirmation that we were indeed at sea.  All looked great for our first passage.

Something about June in the Lowcountry just tells you, though you care to forget it, it will storm.  Every day.  I have known people who have lived here all their lives and still wonder whether it will rain in the afternoon.  It was so blue and hot and lovely out…  The density of the air was such that you felt you could touch the land sooner than see it.  And then the clouds continued to rally over land, pulling the heat…

Arriving at Sunset Day One

We tucked into an uncharted (well perhaps falsely charted) anchorage off Botany Island thanks to the advice of a great friend and sailor, Uncle Sterling.  The timing was perfect.  The sun was setting.   The storms could be seen but not heard.  And there was no stress of leaving in a hurry, tired, and riding through a series of storms at sea.  We rested well and started fresh on Friday morning.

The sea was glass.  The kids set to their respective work.  Che went wild with art, Quinn with cursive writing, and Gherty with rest (she had been sick for many days prior to leaving).  We ticked away the miles until…sea turtles (YES!), jelly balls (of course!), but wait…HAMMERHEAD SHARK!  Truly a marvelous sight.

Che and his art

Quinn cursive writing

Resting Gherty

Quinn and I set to gardening…what, you think that odd?!  The ever patient captain said not a word and even filled the buckets of seawater to douse the cockpit once our work complete.  Basil, oregano, lavender, rosemary, chives, mint…all accompanying us on this voyage.  May our drinks, food and lives be well seasoned.  Just add salt.

Upon the advice of the honorable Mark Malsick, master of humorous weather reports, we decided to pull into anchorage Friday night as well.  Some nasty weather was brewing and we wanted to be prepared.  The way down the coast may be a bit longer but certainly prudent.

The south channel of Ossabaw Island was a murky but deep enough entrance (sea state super calm and the tide was flooding).  We coasted in at over 10 knots.  We were greeted by a swarm(s) of horseflies…which kept the kids entertained (in the battle, not in the bite) for hours.  Luckily we had the screens to put up around the cockpit.  Ahhh, screens.

We found a lovely spot off the ICW where the kids went swimming.  The current was swift but the lifeline off the transom comes in handy.  Super proud of these guys, settling so quickly to their lives aboard.  A little stir crazy at times but as Quinn says only 398 days to go!

This year, we will travel to many destinations, all well charted though some more traveled than others.  Destiny is a fickle creature.  We take the good with the bad, and humbly appreciate that we have the fortune and desire to embrace an uncharted destiny.

Much love and stay tuned.