Almost forgot

Wednesday, March 18

We filled our fuel tank and left Thunderbolt Marina about 8:45 a.m. after the fog lifted. We have tons of water, an empty head and enough food for 10 days. Self sufficient. Our destination: Kilkenny Marina in the middle of no where. I believe the closest town is called Richmond Hill.

We decided to anchor rather than pay $30 to tie to the marina’s questionable docks with no amenities. A good choice. We are still in low country: water, tall rushes and trees here and there—that is all there is! It is truly beautiful.

Today was another winding waterway. We can actually watch boats way, way out there that are on the same waterways we took or across the way from where we are heading… you see sailboats masts or large powerboat’s upper decks from across the grasses.

We can see another boat anchored more than a mile away across the marshes. Clear and sunny, 80 degrees. Nice to be out on anchor in the silence.

As usual, we needed to go to shore for Miss Coconut. The tide was low switching to high. Hang on to that dinghy as you lower it from the davits and be extra careful while doing the outboard motor balancing act to get it attached to the dinghy. The water is moving very fast. Thank goodness we have this apparatus to help or it would be even more challenging!

We motored to the marina, passing nice homes and docks. On one double decker dock sat two people and their golden retriever. The dog was holding a frisbee, looking at Coconut! We all waved—well, the dogs didn’t. We passed by a bar and restaurant that didn’t appear to be open but we found out they did have limited hours. Alas……

At the marina, the floating docks were made from blue pickle barrels. Ingenious… we have not been on docks that moved when you walked on them so it was an odd sensation. It kind of freaked the dog.

Off we went for a walk down the dirt road. Two State Wardens seemed to be looking at the live bait operation near the marina. As soon as they walked away, a couple of crows helped themselves to dinner out of the bait tubs. Someone was pumping gas into their truck and two different conversations occurred about tars…. make that tires! Aggressive tires must be important here. Anyway, the walk was short but we did see impressive azaleas 🌺. At least 6 different colors. A very pretty sight along with huge Live Oaks. I will miss the live oaks and the dolphins the most when we get home.

After walking, we stopped in the marina and bought two ice cream treats. Sat a spell and wondered about the ingenuity of their boat lift in lieu of a boat ramp. You pulled your boat into a slip underneath a single rail system. Two large electric hoist motors slide out on the rails above the boat and hooked to lifting eyes on your boat, fore and aft. The boat is hoisted vertically above the slip and rolled ahead on the rail system over the slab where you back your trailer underneath the boat. We were sorry to have missed first part of the operation. We did see the trailer backed in under the boat. So very clever.

Back to the boat for some more sitting, up on the bow this time. Amazing, views. It is so flat in low country, you can see a long way. A wonderful anchorage that almost made us forget about all the issues happening in our world.