OUT INTO THE DEEP BLUE ATLANTIC OCEAN

APRIL 30, 2016

OUT INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

We weighed anchor at first light and turned toward the St Simmons Inlet.  As we followed the channel markers through the light fog and out into the Atlantic, we were not alone.   Shrimpers, sports fishermen and pleasure boats were all on the move.  By the time the sun was up, the fog had cleared.  It was a beautiful bright sunny day with light winds and seas of 2 to 3 feet.  It's Perfect cut through the water as we turned north and raised the sail.

Soon we were making 6 knots and the breeze was cool.  It seems hard to believe it has been a year since we have slipped through the dark blue water, quiet all around us.  The weather is suppose to stay calm and clear.  After coffee and breakfast in the cockpit we settled into life on watch. 

HITCHHIKER ABOARD

The morning was uneventful and we were soon alone on the water.  By mid afternoon it was Rod's turn for a nap.  He was barely asleep when we had a hitchhiker join us.  A small black and yellow warbler flew into the cockpit for a much needed rest.  We are familiar with these migrating birds visiting our cockpit.  Last year on our passage from Key West to St Augustine we had several species at one time come and stay all afternoon and into the night.  They were exhausted.  None of the birds are afraid of us and perch wherever they feel comfortable.  These only stayed a couple of hours and then they were once again on their way.

ATLANTIC SPOTTED DOLPHIN OFF THE BOW

I was below making dinner and I heard Rod call.  As I came up the companionway he handed me the camera and said "Dolphin on the bow!"  We love it when we are joined by dolphin.  I hooked my tether to the lifelines and was up on the bow hanging over the pulpit taking pictures as we whistled and called to keep their attention.  It was a small pod, but they were very large Atlantic spotted dolphin.  They stayed and played a good while before they were on their way again.

SUNDOWN OFFSHORE

On this first offshore passage getting into a rhythm of sleep and keeping watch is difficult.  We will reach the Charleston Inlet outer markers sometime early morning.  When we are on an overnight passage we don't have time to get into any schedule and Rod is at watch more than I am.  Generally we just spell each other throughout the night when one of us is ready to sleep.  On longer passages we try to keep a general 4 to 5 hour watch day and night.

About 8am we reached the outer markers for the shipping channel into Charleston, South Carolina.  It took another 3 hours to reach the anchorage just off the Charleston City Marina.  By noon the anchor was down.  We had just finished our first offshore passage in a year and it felt great.  After an quick lunch and hot shower we both fell into bed for a much needed nap.