From Tee To Sea

September 10–22, 2026

At: Brunswick Landing Marina, Brunswick, GA

Simple Isn’t Easy… ⚓

Since we've been sitting still for a while, I figured it was time for a little update from Brunswick!

We're really enjoying our stay at Brunswick Landing Marina. It's a great marina with sturdy floating docks, good security, lots of activities and gatherings, super-nice boaters, and a cute little downtown just across the street. It's an easy place to settle into for a while.

Ace is especially happy here. There are plenty of places for long walks and a great dog park where he can run free and get his zoomies out. Needless to say, he's made himself right at home. 🐶
The weather has still been pretty warm, but hey, it's September in Georgia! Bob and I have made it over to Jekyll Island Golf Club a few times to practice and attempt to locate our golf swings. 😂 We're looking forward to actually playing the course when we return from our upcoming travels.

Next up, we're heading to Park City, Utah, for a Gotfredson sibling reunion. We're really looking forward to catching up with family, spending time together, and enjoying some cooler mountain weather. I'm thinking the change in temperature is going to feel pretty darn good!

Of course, no extended marina stay would be complete without a list of boat projects. Bob has been happily—or at least busily—checking those off.

I've been catching up on my golf, yoga, computer work, and who knows what else. Somehow, even when we're sitting still, my days manage to fill themselves!

Last week we drove down to Stuart to retrieve our car and catch up with Sister Annie, so we officially have the Wheels of Freedom again. After months of courtesy cars, Uber rides, bikes, and walking, having your own car feels pretty luxurious!

So, for now, Patriot is resting, Ace is zooming, Bob is tackling boat projects, I'm keeping busy, and we're enjoying a different pace of cruising life.

Sometimes the adventure isn't about where you're going next. Sometimes it's simply about enjoying where you are.

Simple isn't easy...but right now, it's pretty darn good. ❤️⚓

September 9, 2026

From: Crescent River Anchorage #2, Darien, GA
To: Brunswick Landing Marina, Brunswick, GA
Departed: 7:00 AM | Arrived: 12:00 PM
Time Underway: 5 hours
Wind: 6–10 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 6.5–11 knots, depending on the current
Temp: 76–87 degrees
Visibility: Partly sunny with lots of BIG clouds

Time to Take a Breather…

We made it to Brunswick!

Last night was pretty gusty until around midnight, and then thankfully everything settled down. Our anchor held beautifully and came up nice and clean this morning, with just a little mud on the anchor itself. An easy washdown—and we'll take that any day!
Yesterday's strong northeast winds pushed a TON of water into the rivers and marshes. When we anchored, the marsh grass was standing about three feet above the water. By the time we went to bed, you couldn't see the marsh grass at all! We figure the wind pushed in at least four extra feet of water. Check out the pictures...pretty amazing.

Today's cruise was wonderfully easy.

We timed the infamous Little Mud River just right, and thanks to the wind pushing in an extra three to four feet of water, we had plenty beneath Patriot.

And by the way, I don't know why they call it Little Mud River. It seemed pretty darn LONG to me! 😂

As we approached St. Simons Sound, we left Bob's track and headed west towards Brunswick Landing Marina. Two super-nice dockhands were waiting for us, and Captain Bob sterned Patriot right into her new home for the next six weeks.

Once we were tied up, we got informed of all the marina amenities—and there are plenty! A huge dog park, dog wash area, beautiful bathhouse, fitness area, free laundry, and a Yacht Club that hosts happy hours Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday along with lots of other activities.

And then came the goody bag... A big, sturdy tote bag complete with a back scratcher! Now THAT is something you don't realize you need until you have one. 😂

Downtown Brunswick is right across the street, and there's plenty to explore in the area. We'll be here for six weeks and hope to play some golf, visit St. Simons Island, explore the surrounding area, and simply enjoy staying put for a while.

Monday we'll rent a car and drive down to Stuart to retrieve our own car and spend some time visiting my sister Annie. Can't wait!
We've been on the move heading south for 20 days, and I'm ready for a little break from weather apps, tide charts, skinny water, bridge openings, anchor alarms, and dock lines!!!!

Although I know myself... Give me a few weeks and I'll probably be saying, “When are we leaving?” 😄

When we do start cruising again, our next stops will be Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, and then Hammock Beach Marina in Palm Coast for the winter.

For now, Patriot is tied up, the engines are off, and we're officially taking a breather.

And judging by that big dog park, Ace has already decided Brunswick Landing is his new favorite marina! 🐶

Twenty days, lots of miles, plenty of adventures...and we made it.
Life is good! ❤️⚓

September 8, 2026

From: Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, GA
To: Crescent River Anchorage #2, Darien, GA
Departed: 8:00 AM | Anchor Down: 2:00 PM
Time Underway: 6 hours
Wind: 10–17 mph with gusts to 25 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 8.5–10 knots
Temp: 86–88 degrees
Visibility: Overcast, cloudy and WINDY!

Wind, Wind, Go Away… 💨⚓

We had a nice stay at Isle of Hope and departed early this morning so we could get settled into our anchorage with plenty of daylight.
It was WINDY today! The northeast wind was blowing 10–17 mph with gusts up to 25, but thankfully it worked in our favor. Going through the three Sounds, we mostly had the wind at our stern, which made for a surprisingly smooth ride. I will say it is a beautiful run.

Easy peasy...just a very windy easy peasy! 😄

We also made it through Hell Gate with plenty of water beneath Patriot. Between our tide planning and the northeast wind pushing in a little extra water, we had no problems at all.

By 2:00, the anchor was down, Patriot was secure, and this crew was officially DONE for the day or at least we hope so.

Tomorrow morning we'll pull up the anchor and make our final run to Brunswick Landing Marina.

After all these miles heading south...

Over and out…

September 7, 2026

From: Safe Harbor Port Royal, Beaufort, SC
To: Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, GA
Departed: 7:20 AM | Arrived: 12:40 PM
Time Underway: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Wind: 10–13 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 8.5 knots
Temp: 86–88 degrees
Visibility: Overcast and cloudy with some rain

No Need to Rush… ⚓

We had a good cruise today, leaving early so we could time a couple of the skinny areas—Ramshorn Creek and Fields Cut—with enough water beneath us. Our timing was pretty darn good!

It was a winding route today, but thankfully there weren't too many No Wake zones, so we were able to keep Patriot moving along nicely.

We always enjoy Isle of Hope Marina, and the dockhands were great as usual. Once again, Captain Bob had to take Patriot make a U-turn, and come back into the current to get us tied up on the face dock.

No drama. No excitement. Just the way I like my docking! 😄
This afternoon we'll grab the courtesy car and head to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Tequila's Town, followed by a quick provisioning run.

Tomorrow we're off to Crescent River Anchorage #2, and once again, it's all about the tides. We need to time our passage through Hell Gate around mid to high tide.

Originally, we thought about making the entire run to Brunswick Landing Marina tomorrow—at least a 10-hour day—but that plan would have put us through Little Mud River at low tide. We also would have been racing the clock to reach the marina before closing. So...we aborted that plan!

One thing cruising continues to teach us is that there's absolutely no prize for getting there first. We'd much rather take our time, have plenty of water under Patriot, and enjoy the journey.

Life is good. ❤️⚓

September 5-6, 2026

From: Safe Harbor Beaufort, SC
To: Safe Harbor Port Royal, Beaufort, SC
Departed: 9:30 AM | Arrived: 10:20 AM
Time Underway: 50 minutes
Wind: 4–5 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 8.5 knots (slack tide)
Temp: 86–93 degrees
Visibility: Clear, sunny skies

Short Run… ⚓

Not too much to report on this cruising day—and sometimes that's a very good thing!

We had an easy 50-minute run to Port Royal and timed the current just right. As we approached the marina, Captain Bob headed south past the dock, made a U-turn to put Patriot into the wind and slight current, and just like that...tied up and done!

With temperatures climbing into the 90s, we didn't do much exploring. Ace, however, decided it was the perfect day for a major roll fest in the grass. Whatever he found must have smelled wonderful to him...not so much to us. 😂 Needless to say, a bath immediately followed!

I caught up on some business on the computer, and we mostly enjoyed Patriot's wonderful air conditioning.

The dockmaster and dockhands here are super friendly and helpful. I also scored a good book from the marina's "Leave a Book, Take a Book" shelf. Love those little cruising finds!

Tomorrow we're off to Isle of Hope, just outside Savannah, Georgia.
Another state, another stop, and we're getting closer...

Tick tock...almost to Brunswick Landing Marina! ❤️⚓

August 30 – September 2, 2026

From: Safe Harbor Charleston City Marina, Charleston, SC
To: Safe Harbor Beaufort, Beaufort, SC

Departed: 7:30 AM | Arrived: 3:00 PM
Time Underway: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Wind: 4–5 mph | AICW: Smooth and skinny
Speed: 7.5–10 knots, depending on the current
Temp: 93 degrees
Visibility: Clear, sunny skies

Lots of Catching Up With Friends… ❤️⚓

We had a great few days in Charleston and especially enjoyed catching up with friends!

First, we managed to check off all those not-so-exciting "To Do" items that accumulate while cruising. Once those were finished, it was officially **play time!**

Our friends Dave and Cindy picked us up at the marina and took us to lunch at **The Griffon**, an English-style pub. I'm not sure how long it's been around, but the walls and ceilings are covered with dollar bills—at least three or four layers deep!

Cindy told us that during COVID they removed about **$30,000 worth of those dollar bills** and shared the money with the staff. How cool is that? And to top it off, the food was super yummy!

Later, our friends who have a Fleming 58 at the marina joined us for another great catch-up. We met them for dinner, although Bob and I were still so full from lunch that we settled for drinks.

**One of the very best parts of this cruising life is reconnecting with friends along the way—you may not have seen each other for months, but somehow you pick up right where you left off.**

Our cruise from Charleston to Beaufort was wonderfully uneventful...**just the way I like it!**

Well, almost.

We came upon a dredging operation and weren't quite sure which side they wanted us to pass on. We called them on the radio several times but didn't get an answer, so we slowed way down. Finally, the radio came to life:

Do NOT enter there...BACK UP!

Well, okay then! Message received. 😳

We backed Patriot up, followed their directions, squeezed closely past their port side, and continued safely on our way. A little excitement just to keep us on our toes!

We arrived in Beaufort and discovered even more friends! Jacqui and Ed aboard **Finito** are tied up on the same dock. They're from Stuart and are heading north while we're continuing south. Another perfect example of how boating paths seem to cross at just the right time.

We'll be here for three nights before making a very short hop to Safe Harbor Port Royal.

And since I somehow failed to accomplish my retail therapy while in Charleston, I have a serious responsibility tomorrow. Beaufort has lots of wonderful little boutiques just waiting to be explored.

Someone has to do it. 😄

We're getting closer and closer to Georgia...

Tick tock, Brunswick! ❤️⚓

**August 30, 2026**

**From:** Harborwalk Marina, Georgetown, SC
**To:** Safe Harbor Charleston City Marina, Charleston, SC

**Departed:** 7:30 AM | **Arrived:** 2:45 PM
**Time Underway:** 7 hours, 15 minutes
**Wind:** 4–5 mph | **AICW:** Smooth...and SKINNY!
**Speed:** 7.5–10 knots, depending on the current
**Temp:** 82 degrees
**Visibility:** Overcast with a few storm clouds lurking

We Did It! ⚓🎉

Today was a perfect example of how **doing your homework really does pay off!**

We knew this stretch from Georgetown to Charleston had several skinny areas that required some careful timing, so the Weather Hawks became the **Tide Hawks** for the day. 😂

Our plan was to leave early enough to travel most of the route around high tide or on a slightly falling tide—and it worked!

For my boating friends who might be making this run, here's the rundown. Our depth transducer reads approximately 2 feet from the keel.

--Estherville Minim Creek:** We departed Georgetown at 7:30 AM and reached the turn around 8:25. The lowest depth we briefly saw was 7.8 feet.

--Jeremy Creek/McClellanville:** We reached Green 35A and the beginning of the McClellanville stretch around 10:25. Our lowest reading was approximately 8.8 feet.

--Graham Creek:** Again, the lowest we saw was around 8.8 feet. So far, so good!

--Isle of Palms:** We arrived around 1:30 PM on a falling tide. This area has been dredged, but there are still two or three short skinny spots that definitely get your attention. Aqua Maps showed them clearly. We briefly saw readings of 4.8 and 6.8 feet. That will get your attention in a hurry!

There's also a long No Wake stretch through the Isle of Palms area, so patience becomes part of the navigation plan.

At the **Ben Sawyer Bridge**, we dropped our antennas and slipped underneath. Another obstacle checked off the list!

Pulling into Charleston felt a little like **coming home.** We've spent many months at Safe Harbor Charleston City Marina over the years and really love the staff and this city.

Two dockhands were waiting for us on the inside face of the Mega Dock, but Captain Bob still had one final challenge for the day.

We approached with the current pushing us one way and the wind pushing another, and because we needed a port-side tie, Bob had to make a **360-degree turn** at the end of the dock to get Patriot lined up correctly. No pressure, Captain. 😳

He nailed it! It wasn't easy, but Patriot is safely tied up and we can officially check THAT maneuver off the challenge list. LOL.

We'll be here for three nights, and we've already got a full Charleston agenda—catching up with friends, taking Ace to the vet for his shots, doing a little banking, picking up prescriptions at Walgreens, some very necessary **retail therapy**, and hopefully squeezing in a round of golf at Charleston Municipal.

You know...all the glamorous things cruisers do when they reach civilization. 😂

After today's skinny water, tide calculations, currents, bridges, antennas down, and one impressive 360 at the finish line, we're happily tied up at one of our favorite places.

We did our homework, trusted our plan, and Patriot brought us safely home to Charleston. ❤️⚓

Life is as good as you make it.

August 29, 2026

From: Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC
To: Harborwalk Marina, Georgetown, SC
Departed: 9:30 AM | Arrived: 1:30 PM
Time Underway: 4 hours
Wind: 4–5 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 7–8.5 knots
Temp: 82 degrees
Visibility: Overcast with lots of drizzle

This Is the Cutest Town! ⚓❤️

We took our time leaving Osprey Marina this morning, waiting for the tide to come up a bit before heading back down that narrow channel to the ICW. The extra water gave us a little more breathing room and, just like that, we were out. Easy peasy!

We had a light drizzle for most of the day, right up until Georgetown came into sight. It wasn't exactly a Chamber of Commerce weather day, but the water was smooth, the wind was light, and after some of our recent cruising days, we'll happily take it!

In my opinion, this is one of the prettiest stretches of the ICW. It's peaceful, natural, and has lots and lots of curves. Patriot definitely got her turning exercise today!

The dockmaster Tim and assistant met us at the dock and had us tide up in no time. They were super helpful! This is a small but very nice marina!

Once we arrived and had Patriot safely secured, all three of us headed into town for lunch. We sat outside at 631 Franks on Front, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Yummy!

After lunch, we strolled around Georgetown, and what a charming little town. It feels a bit more upscale than some of the other towns we've visited along the way, with beautiful shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and a really cool Harborwalk boardwalk along the waterfront.

Definitely our kind of place!

Tonight it's dinner aboard Patriot and a relaxing evening because tomorrow we're back at it.

We have about a 6½-hour run to Charleston, with two particularly challenging skinny-water areas to navigate along the way. We've studied the tides, studied the charts, studied our apps...and will probably study them all again before bedtime. 😂

The plan is to hit both areas at just the right time.

Fingers crossed, depth gauges ON, and Weather Hawks reporting for duty!

After all these miles heading south, we're getting very close to one of our favorite cities.

Charleston...here we come! ❤️⚓

August 27–28, 2026

From: Safe Harbor South Harbour Village, Southport, NC
To: Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC
Departed: 7:00 AM | Arrived: 2:45 PM
Time Underway: 7 hours, 45 minutes
Wind: 4–10 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 7–8.5 knots
Temp: 82 degrees
Visibility: Overcast most of the day

Smooth Sailing…Almost! ⚓

We had a great time in Southport visiting with our friends Liz and Jason. Bob managed to check off lots of boat chores while I tackled the inside chores. He even lowered the dinghy and took Ace out for a nice ride. Needless to say, Ace was one happy boat dog! 🐶

Today's cruise was mostly easy and uneventful. We timed the tide perfectly through the skinny water at Lockwoods Folly. Yahoo! It's always a good feeling when the planning actually works.

We did get delayed at two swing bridges, which put us a little behind schedule, but no big deal.

Then came The Rock Pile.

For my non-boating friends, this is a particularly narrow stretch of the ICW just before Myrtle Beach where you really want to pay attention.

Apparently, one Grand Banks captain didn't get the memo.
He decided to pass us in this narrow section without slowing down one bit or even giving us a call on the radio. Super not nice! All he had to do was radio us, and we would have happily slowed down to make his pass easier and safer.

Thankfully, Patriot handled his wake just fine—and, more importantly, I had the refrigerator doors tied shut! Priorities, people. 😂

Osprey Marina is a new stop for us, and what a nice surprise! You turn off the ICW and head down a very narrow channel that makes you wonder, “Are we really supposed to go down there?” They assured us there was plenty of water, and there was.

As we approached the face dock, we were asked to hold for a few minutes because five john boats (you will see them in the pictures) had just arrived for fuel and our spot was temporarily occupied. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long.
Two dockhands were ready for us, grabbed our lines, connected the power and...Done deal!

And then came the goody bag.

I have to say, Osprey Marina may win the award for the best marina welcome bag yet—jalapeño jelly, sticky notes, a whistle, lanyard, pen, and koozie! Who knew jalapeño jelly could make a cruising girl so happy? 😂

The lady dockmaster was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and we've been very impressed with the marina. We would absolutely recommend this stop.

Tomorrow we're off on an easy four-hour run to Georgetown, SC. We've heard the town is adorable, with lots of restaurants and plenty to explore. The channel has recently been dredged, so hopefully it will be a nice, straightforward trip to our slip.
And after Georgetown...

Tick tock, Charleston! We're getting closer! ❤️⚓

Another mostly smooth day aboard Patriot—with just enough excitement to give me something to write about!

August 26, 2026

From: Bridge Tender Marina, Wrightsville Beach, NC
To: Safe Harbor South Harbour Village
Departed: 8:00 AM | Arrived: 11:00 AM
Time Underway: 3 hours
Wind: 4–6 mph | AICW: Smooth
Speed: 8 knots
Temp: 82 degrees
Visibility: Beautiful!
Easy Peasy Day… ⚓☀️

After yesterday's nine-hour adventure, today was just what the doctor ordered—easy peasy!

We had a nice, brief overnight in Wrightsville Beach, and let me tell you, boats were flying up and down the ICW until dark. You would have thought there was a boat parade somewhere and we didn't get the invitation! 😂

This part of North Carolina is definitely BIG boating country. Along the way, we passed some beautiful waterfront homes with incredible views to the east.

We planned our departure around the tide so we could reach a few of the skinny-water areas near high tide, and our timing was perfect. Snow's Cut had some pretty strong current running through it, but nothing Patriot couldn't handle.

Just three hours after leaving Wrightsville Beach, we cozied up to the inside face dock at Safe Harbor South Harbour Village. Even better, our friends Jason and Liz were there to meet us! They've been here for a few months, so naturally they already have all the local scoop—which is exactly what you want when arriving somewhere new.

Tonight we had a fantastic dinner together at Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill. The conversation was nonstop, with lots of catching up, boating stories, laughs! 😄

One thing this cruising life continues to teach us is that the destinations are wonderful and the days on the water can certainly be exhilarating, but it's the people you meet along the way who make this adventure so special.

Some start out as boat neighbors at a marina or a friendly hello on the dock, and before you know it, you're meeting up again hundreds of miles later, sharing dinner and picking up right where you left off.

Tomorrow, if Mother Nature cooperates, the four of us are heading out to play some golf.

We will be here two nights and then off to Osprey Marina.

Yahoo! Golf clubs instead of dock lines for a day! ⛳

Tonight we're feeling especially grateful for the wonderful friendships we've made along this journey. The miles and destinations are memorable, but the friendships are what make this cruising life truly priceless.

Life is good...