After boating in the Boston area for several years, we were hooked on the lifestyle and dreamt about cruising full-time. Our dream came true in December 2000.
We bought a Jefferson 37' powerboat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Then we quit our jobs and spent two blissful months traveling around Asia. When we returned, we drove to Ft Lauderdale to pick up the boat. We named her Mai Thai. We had planned to take Mai Thai back north to Newport, Rhode Island. Some people navigate this 1500-miles trip in 15-20 days, but why rush? It was early March, and it was still winter in New England. We decided to take it slow and take our time to "stop and smell the roses" along the way.
Our timing could not have been more perfect, as spring was in the air at every port of call we stopped. In Savannah, Georgia, azaleas were in full bloom. Fragrant jasmine floated in the air as we walked by the gardens of antebellum homes in Beaufort, South Carolina. We were mesmerized by the beauty of Charleston and its architecture. And in Beaufort (pronounced Bow-fert), North Carolina, stunning sunsets took our breath away.
Alas, we never made it to Newport. We got as far north as Baltimore, and had too much fun exploring the countless rivers and creeks in the Chesapeake Bay, and before we knew it, it was September, too cold to venture further north.
This was our first time in the south, and we discovered that traveling by boat is an excellent way to see and explore America. There is no packing and unpacking, you can sleep in your own bed, eat what you want, when you want to. No traffic, no schedule. One step outside (we're talking stepping out in pyjamas), and you are greeted with spectacular sceneries. And if you don't like what you see, you can just move on. Oh what a feeling and what freedom!
You might also like:
We bought a Jefferson 37' powerboat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Then we quit our jobs and spent two blissful months traveling around Asia. When we returned, we drove to Ft Lauderdale to pick up the boat. We named her Mai Thai. We had planned to take Mai Thai back north to Newport, Rhode Island. Some people navigate this 1500-miles trip in 15-20 days, but why rush? It was early March, and it was still winter in New England. We decided to take it slow and take our time to "stop and smell the roses" along the way.
 |
| Mai Thai docked at St Augustine City Marina, Florida |
 |
| Practising anchoring near Harbortown Marina, Ft Pierce, Florida |
 |
| Mai Thai anchored at Cumberland Island, Georgia |
 |
| Mai Thai docked at Jekyll Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, Ga |
 |
| Antebellum home in Beaufort, S. Carolina |
 |
| The majestic Avenue of Oaks at Boone Plantation, Charleston, S. Carolina |
 |
| Sunset at Town Creek Marina, Beaufort, N. Carolina |
This was our first time in the south, and we discovered that traveling by boat is an excellent way to see and explore America. There is no packing and unpacking, you can sleep in your own bed, eat what you want, when you want to. No traffic, no schedule. One step outside (we're talking stepping out in pyjamas), and you are greeted with spectacular sceneries. And if you don't like what you see, you can just move on. Oh what a feeling and what freedom!
You might also like:
 |
 |
 |
| Port of Call: Sarasota | Favorite Cruising Destination: Cumberland Island, Georgia | Port of Call: Newport, Rhode Island |
About 20 years ago, I had a job on a boat that made the ICW trip south, and then north in the spring.
ReplyDeleteI loved Beaufort SC, Charleston, and Savannah GA as well.
Enjoy!!!!
Thank you for visiting! I will try and post old video clips, including those in Boston and the Cape as I go through them...
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog about winter heat. I've enjoyed looking around your blog as liveaboards. We had a 30' Bayliner for about two years but found it too big for our liking. We downsized to a 24' model and are very happy. Cruising in the Strait of Georgia (especially in summer) doesn't require a large boat for safety. - Margy
ReplyDelete