Savannah or Bust...

Captain's Blog: Skull Creek Marina Destination Savannah.
A perfect day. Great friends, and a new adventure. Travelling south down the Inter coastal we headed up the Cooper River and around Daufauskie Island. Here we bumped in to another boat that was heading down from Virginia. How exciting, to meet a friend of ours travelling down the inter coastal.
We docked next to Marsh Side Mamas and picked up our friend. The rest of her crew were going to be spending the night in a quiet cove on the New River. She preferred the opportunity to kick up her heels in Savannah. We headed up Ramshorn Creek and then on to Fields cut. You definitely need a chart for this area because it is not as easy as it sounds. Heading up the Savannah River is impressive. We are dwarfed next to the barges and their long blasts remind us to stay clear. I have no intention of going anywhere near these vessels. I was even too chicken to park in front of River Street. I parked on the other side of the river and we took the ferry over. We then proceeded to enjoy a fantastic lunch at The Bohemian Hotel. Another fun day thanks to Freedom Boat Club

East Coast of Florida VS West Coast of Florida

Being the novice boater that I am, I definetly have developed a comfort level with WIDE OPEN channels. Not the case on the East coast of Florida. This area reminded me more of being on a highway. I can see why there are boating accidents. This section of the Intercoastal is chaotic. I really need more experience before I venture in to this abyss again. The staff at the North Palm Beach Freedom Boat Club are fantastic. They suggested heading up the intercoastal and then taking an lnlet on the left after two bridges. This trip would bring us to Panama Hatties. The boat traffic was insane. Going slow was the only option. Unfortuantely a large cabin cruiser was having too much fun. The wake of their boat created such a trough that my husband and son while relaxing in the bow of the boat all of a sudden were completeley drenched. I then got the lecture about if I was going faster this would not have happened. Even though, I had no place to go but up the butt of the boat in front of me.... I decided to laugh and enjoy the fact that I am not an expert... oh well. Still a lot of fun, just a little more stressful then I would like.

Bradenton, Florida January 2010

The great thing about boating in Florida, you can see the bottom...coming from South Carolina waters I have come to rely heavily on the GPS and always pay close attention to the depth. The boat I took out did not have a GPS. At first this was disturbing. But it just makes you appreciate the old way of doing things; charts and markers....and of course asking the staff. Fortunately, the staff was extremely helpful at giving me directions. My goal was to navigate out through the Manatee River through Tampa Bay and head down Anna Maria Sound. Although this was an extremely chilly January, the day is bright and sunny. Too cold to enter the water so destination boating was the goal of the day. We decided to have lunch at a place called Mar Vista in Long Boat Key www.groupersandwich.com A fantastic place to dine.
Plenty of dockage. Easy trip from Bradenton. Next time, I plan on heading all the way down to Sarasota Bay....see if I can dock and shop at St. Armonds Circle.

Captain's Blog- Palmetto Bluff

Destination Palmetto Bluff.
Leaving Skull Creek Marina head south down the intercoastal water way. Pass the entrance to the Windmill Harbor lock, coming up on your starboard side will be the entrance to the May river.
Your GPS is vitally important when navigating up the May river. If you travel on low tide you will be able to see the many sandbars. On high tide you may think you can travel straight up the May river and be safe. NOT TRUE. The May river resembles a lazy S. You will start on the far left side to enter than proceed diagonally toward the right shore. When you reach the power lines bear to the left side.
In doing so, this will set you clear of what is affectionately referred to as the RED NECK Riviera. This area is a huge sand bar. Locals can be seen here all summer long barbequing, sunbathing and just having good ole fun….
To enter Palmetto Bluff you can either continue to go straight to the end of the May, then bear right or you can take the right at the sand bar being careful to hug the left side about 50 feet from the left shore.
Again GPS is critical for navigating this area. Once passed this area bear left at to buoy and park your boat on the middle dock the one next to the white church.
Palmetto Bluff, is an exquisite community. Deep in history. Enjoy lunch on the porch of the Inn (no reservations required) or Buffalos.
If you would like to view property at Palmetto Bluff , I would be delighted to show you!

Freedom Boat Club Captain’s Blog - Destination Windmill Harbor

Clients that are friends… friends that are clients.
For me, this is one of those “which came first - the chicken or the egg.” Reflecting back on this summer, the Freedom Boat Club has afforded me three things.
1. The ability to learn something new that brings new challenges every time I venture from the dock; that in its self is an adrenaline rush.

2. Amazing fun times with my kids and their friends (even though the only reason I may be involved is because Freedom Boat Club requires an adult drive their boats - thank you Freedom Boat Club)

3. The enjoyment of taking clients and friends on what they describe as the high point of their vacation.

Destination Windmill Harbor
Joining me on this wonderful outing were Joanne and Michael Parent and Kimberly and John Goulding. The Parents kindly invited us to have brunch at the South Carolina Yacht Club. Getting there from Skull Creek Marina is an easy ride south on the intercoastal water way. You must call ahead to the Harbourmaster of Windmill Harbor. Keep in mind, only Yacht Club members can do this - ah, the privileges of membership.

Being a novice boater and having two sets of clients/friends with me, I wanted to be careful as I navigated my boat. But entering the lock system at Windmill Harbour can be intimadating. You have to maintain enough speed to beat the current but not too much, otherwise you will crash in to the lock…thank goodness Michael has done this many times.

Ropes were cast down to us once we were given clearance to enter the lock. Gradually the water level was made even with inside the harbor. The gates opened to the entrance of Windmill Harbor. Our eyes were delighted by the pastel colored homes all perfectly pristine with coordinating shutters. Glistening white yachts blinded you with their mirror image off the shimmering water.

Once inside the lock, there was no current to negotiate, which made for my kind of boating. I circled in front of the Yacht Club as if I had done this many times before… what a fantastic feeling! Walking up the impressive entrance of the South Carolina Yacht Club one can’t help but be awestruck approaching the massive front porch. The bright blues and yellow hues that fill the dining rooms highten the expectation. We were so impressed with the lavious buffet. If you get the chance to have brunch there, come hungry, you will be in for an amazing, memorable meal. I can’t wait to go back…

Although, I have shown property in Windmill Harbor on numerous occasions, seeing it from the water side is definitely the “Best View”.

Hilton Head Plantation The Best View is From the Water

A big birthday happened to me this year and my real estate clients have been enjoying my present just as much as I have.
My family thought long and hard and decided a boat was what I would have wanted most… Correction: a boat is what they would have wanted most. But more than likely, I would have been overwhelmed with the upkeep and really had no desire to be a boat owner. To my surprise, they gave me the best gift ever - a membership to the Freedom Boat Club - which just so happens to be located in Hilton Head Plantation, an easy commute from my home.
I have to say, my palms were sweating at the thought of actually navigating a boat through the Intercoastal Waterway. Most of my real estate clients that had boats related numerous stories of running them aground (never underestimate the power of suggestion). So my first outing, nerves in check, I managed not to run aground due to the fantastic GPS. Next challenge - docking. Well, it took some getting used too, but I managed not to take out any pilings or docks. And this was just my first time out…
So my blog posts will be a “Captain’s Log” of wonderful adventures around Hilton Head Island. I have to say, there is nothing more exciting than trying a new activity - especially when it is boating and I will look forward to sharing the details of boating and exploring Hilton Head from the best vantage point there is - from the water.