Twisted

Sunday, March 15

We woke to fog at Hilton Head. We could see it out toward the Harbor Town lighthouse so we took our walk that way to check it out. We could not see the next island, Daufuskie, but we could hear a boat and it’s fog horns. We could see the sun starting to break through the fog so we stood and watched everything come into view as the fog cleared and the sun came out, including the large ferry boat whose horn we had heard.

Back to the boat to prepare for departure. Oh, first, a quick rinse of Miss Coconut’s feet, chest and shoulder. She decided a roll in some goose “stuff” was a good idea. Why does this always happen right after we bathe her??? The cockpit wash down hose sure comes in handy and I’m sure she appreciated the warm water. She’s such an animal….

So, off we went on a twisty turny ride. Our route was short. Ten miles as the crow flies but 20 miles on the water! The route included crossing Calibogue Sound, down the Cooper River around Daufuskie Island, take a left up Ramshorn Creek, down the New River, thru Walls Cut, up the Wright River, thru Fields Cut and into the North Savannah River. Got it? That got us into Georgia! Now all we had left was the Elba Island Cut and St. Augustine Creek. That spit us out into the Wilmington River. At this point we had traveled 15.6 miles. That is a lot of scenery for such a short distance. This left us heading northwest for a bit before we finally turned southwest and 9 more curves in the river got us sitting out front of Thunderbolt Marina. 

The Town of Thunderbolt, a small town who owes its name to a legend of a lightning strike that created a freshwater spring on the Wilmington bluff. Now, if we can only get lightning to create a fountain of rum, we are all set.

Thunderbolt Marine is a very well respected boat yard catering to many large yachts who use the facility as a sort of home base. Even the big boys suffer wear and tear while out during the season of cruising and need a tune up afterwards. I think “dock rash” is one reason they keep coming back. Some of us refer to those little nicks and scratched as “memory marks”. (You never forget which dock or crash caused each one). Well, if your boat is worth $21,000, per inch (!), you get those things fixed right away!

This is one boat that CAN’T be left looking shabby:

Her name is TAMSEN and she is a gorgeous Perini Navi. Built in Italy in 2007, she is 52 meters (171′) long and has accommodations for 12 guests and 6 crew. She is owned by the Firestone family from California. Custom designed for the family, she is cruised extensively throughout the world.

BTW, zoom in to see Mona and the Nut.

Here is the “dock rash” being repaired.

Another Very large boat in the yard here is Quintessential, a 100′ custom built catamaran. This is a Warwick Yacht Design built in 2012. It is 100′ long and 48 feet wide. We have never seen a Cat this large! The owners previous boat was a Hobie! If you google the boat’s name you can read about the boat design and see gorgeous pics of the interior.

The beautiful Hinckley sailboat in front of the Cat is “Patriot”; she is 70′.

The person who owns Holiday probably feels small 😏

Our plan was to spend three nights here at Thunderbolt. We would Uber into downtown Savannah (about 6 miles) and spend one day walking about and enjoying lunch waterside under a Live Oak. With the recent events (are y’all getting messages from every company, bank and medical outlet to which you are affiliated assuring you they are doing everything they can), we do not want to get in an Uber and being downtown Savannah anywhere near St. Paddy’s is most likely not a good plan. Even though the parade is cancelled, we are told the bars and streets will still be packed. Savannah apparently has one of the country’s largest parades.

We are staying here the 3 nights anyway, it is a nice marina on a nice waterway.

The boat next to us a newer Kady Kroger Express, 52′, is from Fairbanks, Alaska. They pull it to store in southern Florida and fly home to run a river boat cruise company on the Chena River. I have been to Fairbanks so it was interesting conversing with them. They did not know the lady at the furniture store who ran off with my friend’s husband! Their boat was a stunner. Mona is taken with this express style and thought this one was a wonderful example.

We did use the marina’s loaner car today to shop at Publix. Very well-stocked except for meat and eggs. We have meat in our freezer so we are doing good. We are being told being on a boat is a safe place to be right now. This tiny town seems like a good place to be as well. Where else do they give you a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the morning? 😬