Goodbye Georgetown and Harborwalk Marina

After waiting for the morning fog to lift, we cast off our lines and bade farewell to Georgetown and the Harborwalk Marina. It was a great place to leave Foreign Affair while we headed home to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. The marina staff (Chris, Larry and Joe) really took good care of us. They run a well managed, clean and convenient marina. We will definitely make this a stop on our way north this spring.

Harborwalk Marina - Georgetown, SC

It was a beautiful sunny day once the fog lifted. We rode the ebb tide down the Waccamaw River, through Winyah Bay and out into the Atlantic. Stormy Seas must have had a good day shrimping since she was heading in to Georgetown as we were heading out. She docked across from us while we stayed at Hazard Marina in Georgetown last spring and fall. They have a nice shrimp shack at the dock and we like to buy our shrimp from them. Good shrimp and great prices.

Stormy Seas

Once again, the wind was unfavorable for sailing as it was on our nose. We motored along at close to 6 knots in calm seas - gentle rollers with waves less than 2 feet. It was cool but not cold. We layered our clothing. We covered our laps with a down comforter while on watch during the night. A sleeping bag and pillow in the cockpit provided warmth when sleeping.

There were no clouds and the stars were really beautiful and bright once we were well off shore. It is amazing how city lights block out the shining stars. It sure would have been dark on the water if it weren't for the moon and stars.

We did see the lights of several ships during the night; however, we didn't see any that appeared to be pleasure craft. The eeriest and most concerning situation is approaching or moving through the commercial ship anchorages. You see a great number of lights on the horizon as if it were an alien invasion. It is sometimes hard to discern if they are moving or not. Eventually you are close enough to make out the individual ships. Then they appear as towering, industrial "star-ships" as you pass by them.

We didn't see or hear any other sailboats heading south for the winter. Most of the time there wasn't a light to be seen on the horizon.