Our love affair with Charleston
began over twenty-four years ago, and the city still charms us every time we
return. From the simple joy of the waterfront swings to the cobblestone streets
lined with pastel homes, Charleston’s timeless beauty never fades.
Our fascination started back in the ’80s after watching the classic miniseries North and South. Visiting
Boone Hall Plantation—where parts of it were filmed—was a dream come true. The
historic grounds and the breathtaking Avenue of Oaks are every bit as stunning
in person as they are on screen.
Avenue of Oaks, Boone Plantation
This fall, we came back once again,
arriving on Halloween just before lunchtime. Before exploring the city’s
historic heart, we set out in search of a great local meal—because in
Charleston, good food is always the perfect way to begin any adventure.
Our first choice for lunch was the much-acclaimed Husk, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open for lunch. Our next option was SNOB (Slightly North of Broad). After all, any restaurant that’s been thriving for over thirty years must be doing something right!
From the moment we stepped inside, the warm welcome and impeccable service set the stage for an outstanding meal. We couldn’t help reminiscing about the incredible crab cake we’d enjoyed here years ago (sadly missing from the current menu). But any disappointment quickly faded with the first bite of their shrimp and grits. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned—it was absolutely to die for.
Shrimp and Grits
Steamed local clams in wine garlic cream sauce
Crème brûlée
After lunch, we walked off our meal with a leisurely stroll along the Charleston waterfront, continuing all the way to the Battery. The weather was perfect for an autumn afternoon—crisp air, gentle breeze, and that unmistakable Charleston charm everywhere you look.
Pineapple Fountain, a symbol of Southern hospitality and welcome
USS Yorktown CV-10, WWII-era aircraft carrier, in the distance
Many of the stately homes along the way were decked out with elaborate Halloween decorations, adding a festive touch to the historic streets. It was the perfect blend of Southern elegance and spooky fun.
From its rich history to its irresistible Southern flavors, Charleston always offers something new to discover. Have you been? We’d love to hear your favorite spots or must-try restaurants in the comments below!
After nearly 25 years of cruising and living aboard our boat, our logbook is pack with memories. Some come rushing back with the sight of boats at anchor or a glowing sunset. In our last post, we shared a few of those treasured experiences. Here’s another that still brings a smile and reminds us just how grateful we are for this life afloat.
Manatees and Sunsets at Marathon Key, Florida
One February, we docked at Marathon Marina, just before the iconic Seven
Mile Bridge. While it doesn't have the buzz of Key West, Marathon has its own quiet charm
— great restaurants, reliable boatyards, and a friendly, laid-back cruising
community. Many cruisers stop here, waiting for a good weather window to cross
to the Bahamas or Central America. It's also an easy hop to Key West and nearby
islands.
During our stay, we tackled a few boat projects: added a second anchor and installed a Weaver davit system for the dinghy. But what we remember most from that stop are the sunsets… and the manatees.
Each evening, rain or shine, cruisers gathered on the docks with drinks in hand to watch the sky erupt in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples. It wasn’t just a sunset — it was a shared ritual that brought everyone together.
And then there were the manatees.
One afternoon, while doing dishes, we felt a gentle bump against the hull. Curious, we stepped outside and spotted a manatee sipping from our sink drain! After that, we’d leave the water running just a bit — and sure enough, they’d return for another drink. Watching these peaceful giants float beside our boat was pure joy.
It’s these small, unexpected moments — the quiet rituals and wild encounters — that make life on the water unforgettable.
Stormy Skies Over Yorktown, Virginia
While docked at Tidewater
Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, we met new sailing friends aboard Kalaha and
cruised together up the York River to historic Yorktown. We anchored near
the bridge and took our dinghies ashore to explore the battlefield.
The day started out sunny and calm—but by afternoon, a
storm was rolling in fast. Waves were already building as we scrambled to relaunch the
dinghy. Battling the wind and chop, we pushed off the beach with all our
strength. We made it back, drenched —along with our brand-new cell phone, which
had been tucked in one of our pockets.
Back aboard, the
wind picked up quickly. Just to be safe, the captain let out all 250 feet of
anchor line. Thanks to that extra scope, we rode out the storm safely and
comfortably. Later, Kalaha radioed to report they had clocked the wind speed at 43
knots (47.3 mph). Wild!
When in doubt, let out more scope.
Mai Thai, anchored near the bridge, rode out the storm safely
Sweet Surprise at Shackleford Banks, Beaufort, N. Carolina
Visiting Cape Lookout had long
been on our boating bucket list—but the weather had other plans. After a
bumpy night at anchor, we decided to skip the lighthouse tour and head back
toward Beaufort in search of calmer waters.
After we cleared the Beaufort Inlet, we started scouting for a safe place
to drop the hook. That’s when we discovered Shackleford Banks—apparently a favorite with
local boaters. Small boats dotted the shoreline, beached in the soft sand. We
found a peaceful spot away from the crowd, dropped anchor, and settled in.
Mai Thai (far back, left) joining in the fun
Gorgeous sunset at Shackleford Banks
The rest of the day was spent people-watching and exploring. As the tide receded, sand patches appeared like little islands. We dinghied over and found several beautiful shells (whelks) — though we chose just one, as a special keepsake to mark our anniversary. The next morning brought an even sweeter
surprise: a group of wild horses strolling along the beach, passing a grounded
boat like it was part of the scenery. We watched in awe from the cockpit,
sipping our coffee.
What began as a detour turned into one of our
favorite boating memories. And sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned.
Dolphins at Hilton Head, South Carolina
One April, we
stopped at Hilton Head and anchored in peaceful Shelter Cove. Kayakers drifted by throughout the day, and the calm surroundings gave us the perfect few days of rest.
Then one evening, just before sunset, we heard a loud splash.
We rushed outside to see what it was—and to our
delight, a pod of dolphins had arrived. They were swimming close to shore,
herding a school of fish into the shallows. We stood there, completely
mesmerized, watching them stir the water as they worked together to feed.
It felt like a front-row seat to nature’s
private show—no ticket required. Ain’t that nice?
When hurricane season rolled around, we needed a safe harbor to hunker down —and Daytona Beach fit the bill. We ended up staying there for about three months. We rarely ventured outside after dark. That changed one evening when we were invited to a potluck dinner at the marina lounge. As always, these gatherings were a great way to meet new cruising friends and swap tips on places to eat and explore. The evening was full of laughter, stories, and good food. We would run into these cruisers again and again as we navigated up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Potluck at the boaters' lounge
But the real story started after the
potluck. Walking back along the wooden dock in the dark,
we heard something strange: a crunch with every step. We slowed down and
glanced at our feet.
Roaches. Dozens of them. Everywhere. It was, without question, the grossest thing we’ve ever experienced on a dock. We practically tiptoed the rest of the way, trying not to think about it.
Back on the boat, our unease turned into paranoia: Could they climb aboard? We didn't see any. But just as we were settling into bed, I spotted something moving across the floor. I
let out a scream so loud my husband called it a "Memorex moment." The roach froze. I didn’t. I
sent him straight to Walmart—at midnight—for bug spray and a bomb.
The next morning, we took the boat across the
Halifax River, anchored out, set off the bug bomb, dinghied ashore and spent the entire day outside. They had used the dock lines to get aboard, so we treated them with bug spray.
Let’s just say, it’s one cruising memory we’ll never forget—and we will stay away from wooden docks, if we can help it.
Dragging Anchor at Cocoa
Beach, Florida
We have a simple rule when anchoring: once the hook is set, we
stay aboard for at least 30 minutes to make sure it’s holding. It’s a simple precaution we abided by.
But not this day.
After several days on the move, we dropped anchor near Cocoa Beach. As we
went through our usual anchoring routine, we noticed a lot happening on
shore—music, people, a lively, beach-town buzz. It looked too fun to miss… so
we broke our rule.
We left Mai
Thai and went ashore to explore. And it was worth it—Cocoa Beach was charming and full of energy. After a couple of hours, we were ready to go back to the boat.
Cocoa Beach anchorage
When we glanced back at the anchorage, Mai Thai was in a different spot. She’d
dragged, and was dangerously close to other boats. Adrenaline kicked in. We ran, jumped in the dinghy, fired it up and raced
back to the boat. One of us tied off the dinghy, the other climbed aboard, unlocked the door and started the engines. We got the boat moved and reset
anchor just in time.
Lesson learned: never break your anchoring rules. They exist for a reason.
Sailing Zebulon – Newport, R.I. to Solomons, Md
While cruising the Chesapeake Bay the summer of 2001, we got a call from new sailing friends who needed an extra hand moving their 47' Catalina, Zebulon, from Newport, Rhode Island to Solomons, Maryland. We jumped at the chance—Newport is one of our favorite ports, and we had planned to spend the summer there. That’s why Mai Thai carries Newport as her hailing port.
The five-day trip was cold, fast, and unforgettable.
One of the most memorable moments came as we navigated the East River through New York City. We hit the current just right at Hell Gate, and Zebulon surged to 12.4 knots—a record for her. We were the only pleasure boat in sight, the river ahead wide open, and the view of FDR Drive—bumper-to-bumper with cars—felt surreal from the water.
Just before sunset, we reached the city. The Manhattan skyline, aglow in golden light, and the Statue of Liberty silhouetted against the horizon—it was breathtaking. We were busy snapping photos when a small Coast Guard patrol boat appeared, lights flashing.
We’d unknowingly entered a secured harbor—closed to recreational vessels from sunset to sunrise due to post-9/11 restrictions. Thankfully, we were near the Verrazzano Bridge, and after explaining, they allowed us to continue.
It was a powerful reminder that boating brings freedom, beauty, and plenty of surprises.
Exploring the South: Fun, Friends, and Finally Moving On
We spent 18 years tied up just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee—specifically in a rural town called Guild (population: around 500, last we checked). It might seem like an unlikely place to stay so long, and no, it wasn’t because of the marina—which, truth be told, was the worst marina we’ve ever stayed at.
What kept us there was everything around it: the beautiful stretch of the Tennessee River known as Nickajack Lake, the surrounding mountains, and the easy drive to the tri-cities of Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. But most of all, it was the people—the warm, tight-knit community of boaters who made those early years unforgettable.
That first decade was a blast—filled with laughter, potlucks, impromptu dock parties, and a floating neighborhood full of good friends. But like all things, it changed. Over time, many moved on, sold their boats, or relocated to better marinas. Slowly, the community we loved began to fade.
We miss those days and the people who made them special. But we’re incredibly grateful for the memories—and even more glad to finally be outtathere.
Our legendary potluck dinners and parties, thanks to Glenda and Steve
Dockside vows, fishing tales, Fort Pierce, Florida
We spent a couple of months at Fort Pierce City Marina, just a short drive from our friend’s condo. The marina sits near the Fort Pierce Inlet, where strong currents sweep through, bringing with them a variety of marine life... including sharks!
Fishing is a big deal here. Local tournaments are common, and plenty of nearby restaurants will even cook your catch for you. On any given day, you can spot sheepshead and other fish swimming alongside the boat, making it feel like you’re docked in your own private aquarium.
Our neighbor reeled this one.
During our stay, we met all sorts of interesting people—including John Houghtaling, the inventor of Magic Fingers (yes, the famous vibrating motel beds). He was living aboard Magic Fingers, his Bluewater yacht.
John
A retired eye doctor and his teacher fiancée invited us to their barefoot (literally) wedding. On the dock.
The wedding party
Here comes the bride; one of the birds is a ring bearer
One of the absolute highlights of our week in Panama City Beach was the thrilling opportunity to see the Blue Angels in action! We woke up bright and early and made the nearly three-hour drive to Naval Air Station Pensacola to catch one of their practice sessions.
We were fortunate to have great weather that morning. The Blue Angels wowed us with their signature aerobatic maneuvers, executed with stunning precision and split-second accuracy. For those unfamiliar, the Blue Angels are "the Navy's flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy." You can read more about them on Wikipedia here.
After the airshow, we cooled off inside the Naval Aviation Museum, exploring its impressive collection of historical aircraft. The amazing Navy veteran Lieutenant Cash Barber, who celebrated his 100th birthday in May, was regaling visitors with stories of life in the navy and flying the amphibious aircraft, the "Catalina" during World War II. Truly inspiring.
We stopped at the Pensacola Light around the corner for a picnic. Just as we were finishing lunch, it started to rain. Alas, no visit to the lighthouse. Or the Gulf Islands National Seashore, much to our disappointment.
Entrance to Pensacola Light
The next few days found us back in Panama City Beach, soaking up the sun and dipping our toes in the warm, clear waters of the Gulf. Thoughts of buying some gear to scoop up the blue crabs we spotted scuttling along the shore definitely crossed our minds — maybe next time!
We enjoyed the glorious sunsets. A perfect ending to our vacation.
sunset at Schooners Restaurant
sunset at SpringHill Suites, near the PCB Pier
Have you ever been to Pensacola or Panama City Beach, or seen the Blue Angels in action? We'd love to hear about your experience — share your stories or tips in the comments below!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
