Departing Charleston:(

Departing Charleston is always a challenge for us, departing in pea soup fog is an additional challenge.  I think that Kurt would agree that Charleston is our favorite ICW city with its meandering rivers, picturesque salt marshes, miles of pristine beaches; a city of southern charm and the deliciousness of low country cooking, there is nothing not to like about Charleston.  That being said, we have not been in Charleston in August when it is hot and humid!!

During this stay we had access to our beloved Caddy so got to tour the local ocean beaches of Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach where we collected more shells to decorate our little Christmas tree.  We enjoyed a drive through the James Island County Park Holiday Festival of Lights with three miles and 2 million lights arranged in displays of every conceivable design from the Statue of Liberty to a replica of the Ravenel Bridge.  We enjoyed the drive through so much that we drove through it a second time, the only thing missing was our children and grandchildren to share it with. It reminded me of all those trips with family and friends to similar light shows at Jones Beach.....for Kurt, this was a first....how nice was that!

An evening was spent at the historic Circular Congregational Church listening to "the Sounds of Charleston;" jazz, gospel, Gershwin and Mozart (the later expertly rendered on a baby grand piano by a local 17 year old prodigy.)   The three classical pieces so expertly played by the pianist, reminded Kurt of the musicians of his Father's era who weekly gathered around the Steinway in living room in the Patchogue home that brought music and happy memories to his home when he was a child.

A highlight for me on was my ability to share a surprise 80th birthday with my dear friend Rich, who I have been friends with for 45 years, our kids grew up together.  Kurt and I  drove to Mooresville, NC where the  event was hosted at his son Ward's house and although we trickled in at various times, each of us was a surprise.....Happy Birthday Rich!  We love you, may you enjoy many more birthdays.

Staying at City Marina in Charleston is always amusing; if you think that you have a lovely boat, an expensive boat, a large boat, think again......there is always another one that is BIGGER....today the contenders were Timoneer , a 147' ketch with a 31' beam and a mast so tall that it needs to sport a red warning light on top for airplanes!  As lovely as Timoneer is, she is clearly out classed  by diminutive ( 126'loa, 84'lawl) Hanuman, a J Class yacht, a replica of Endeavour II, a sleek racing machine designed in 1937 to regain the America's Cup after it had been won by schooner "American" in 1851; the first time that an American racing yacht was allowed to sail in what was to become the oldest sporting event in the world, the annual race around the Isle of Wight, hosted by Royal Yacht Squadron and called the '100 Guinea Cup'.   In 1937 the Endeavour II was not successful in her bid against the American racing yacht Ranger; the American's Cup, as it was renamed in 1857 by the New York City Yacht Club, was to remain in the hands of an American yacht and crew, until 1983 when for the first time we lost  the  cup after132 years and 26 challenges!