Hurrcane Nicole

Isle of Hope, GA, November 9, 2022

Let me first address the issue at hand. We stopped in Savannah so that our crewmate, Randy Bourne, could catch a plane back to Connecticut. Now, not to misunderstand, Randy flying home just before a hurricane hits was not because he was scared. Randy flying home from Savanna was always the plan.

I must say that Randy joined us in Norfolk, VA, and enjoyed a week of perfect weather, and great food and provided Stan and me with great company. But, he did miss the harrowing ride down the Jersey shore in pea soup fog, the electrical problems in Atlantic City, the snotty seas of Delaware Bay, and Hurricane Nicole. Randy is a very smart fellow.

Now, as far as Hurricane Nicole, Wakely, Stan, and I have decided to hunker down in Isle of Hope, GA, just outside of Savannah. It is approximately 20 miles south of Savannah.

We had many conversations on whether to continue South but decided that the best chance of avoiding Nicole’s worst was by staying as far north as possible. We are hoping for the best. The full impact of the storm is not supposed to hit us until Thursday. We are double and triple-lined and have all bumpers over the side. We will ride the storm out on Wakely in Isle of Hope.

Wacca Watche, November 4th, 2022

Jumping back in time, we had an incredible experience and coincidence just South of Myrtle Beach, SC at a marina called Wacca Wache Marina (great name).

Approximately 5 miles before the marina on a creek with all “S” turns, we were stopped at a low bridge waiting for it to open.

As we waited, two more Back Cove 41’s (the sister boats of Wakely) formed a line right behind Wakely. The Boats’ names were Infinity and Lucy Goose. Then, a Back Cove 37 joined the line behind the three original Back Coves. The coincidence of having four Back Coves stopped together in the southern part of South Carolina at a swing bridge was coincidence enough. But it got better as the three 41’s were all going to Wacca Wache Marina.

Once the bridge opened, the four Back Coves formed a convoy and we charged down the creek, making great “S” turns and having a great deal of fun. If you have ever had the opportunity to convoy down a tight creek at top speed, you get the adrenaline. If you have not, I don’t recommend it.

But, the coincidence continued when we arrived at Wacca Wache as Lucy Goose final destination is exactly where Wakely is heading. The Yacht and Racquet Club of Boca Raton. And, even crazier, one of the crewmates on Infinity lives in the same building and same floor as Catherine and my rental unit. Life is great.

Aphrodite

Coincidences continued to abound at Wacca Wache as fellow Riverside Yacht Club vessel Aphrodite pulled in next to Wakely. APHRODITE was built and launched in May of 1937 for Wall Street financier and later Ambassador to the Court of St. James, John Hay (Jock) Whitney of Manhasset, Long Island.

Best described as a “Commuter Yacht”, this elegant and sleek 74-footer would each morning whisk Mr. Whitney from his large two-story boat house westward down Long Island Sound and thru the East River to his Wall Street office.

APHRODITE’S guest list over the years reads like a “Who’s Who” in the worlds of government, business and entertainment with such luminaries as Fred Astaire, Sir Laurence Olivier, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Ford II, FDR advisor Harry Hopkins and Nelson Rockefeller aboard for summer day cruises down Long Island Sound. APHRODITE also once served as the site for a birthday party for Shirley Temple.

Charleston, November 5, 2022

After a wonderful stay in Wacca Wache, Wakely was off to Charleston, SC for a stay at the Bristol Marina. Charleston is a beautiful city that I highly recommend visiting. Vibrant with classic 1700 and 1800 buildings, Randy and I walked miles through this beautiful city.

Hilton Head, November 6, 2022

Following Charleston, we made headway to Hilton Head Island where Stan owns a home. This allowed Stan to stop at home and pick up some needed items. This was followed by a great dinner with my long-time friends Jeff and Ellen Wolfson. It was great seeing them.

Savannah, November 7, 2022

Following Hilton Head, we made our way to Savannah, GA for what has turned into a long-term stay at Isle of Hope Marina sitting out Hurricane Nicole. However, we did get the opportunity to visit Savannah which is another beautiful city. The city is renouned for squares. That is the city was built as a series of squares that allowed the citizens to protecy themselves from Indians, the Spanish and later the British. Today, they are lovely parks surrounded by gracious old homes.

Below is a video of Forsyth Square, one of Savannah’s many squares.

So, Stan, Wakely, and I are sitting in Isle of Hope Marina, just south of Savannah, today, Wednesday November 9th , 2022 waiting for Nicole to arrive. The winds are increasing and the storm is expected to arrive tonight and through Thursday. We are hoping to continue our journey on Friday and arrive in our final destination early next week.

Keep Cruisin