{this moment} – A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple moment to pause, savor and remember.
I love that my new land wheels give me coordinates. Feels like “home”.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama’s Friday ritual.
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of transition and travel.
Last we left you, we were in Solmons Island, MD. We’re now some 1200 miles away in Texas! And a lot has happened along the way.
After sailing out of Solomons Island, we headed up to Annapolis to prep and store Kaleo while she awaits new owners.
Maryland’s unseasonable heat wave of 95°+ days helped quell our heavy hearts as we spent a week in the marina and yacht yard:
Sunday, the day before our scheduled haul out, we watched a final church service (Lifechurch.tv) aboard, loaded a few last things into the van and drove into D.C. to stay with our close friends, the Johnstons. They moved to Virginia from Texas while we were away and it was a special treat to be nearby. They graciously let us stay in their home and even stayed up late to catch up despite it being a school night.
On Monday morning, we drove back to Herrington Harbor to watch Kaleo be lifted from the water, power washed and placed in the rows of other land-bound vessels. We chose to keep her “on the hard” because it offers better storm protection, easier survey for prospective buyers and less maintenance than if sitting in the water.
After Kaleo was secured on her stands, Matt went to work on polishing the hull, getting rid of the “ICW smile” (a brown stain from the muddy water) and giving every winterized system a final check. He polished the last part of the hull just as the skies opened up.
With the packing, prepping and polishing wrapped up, we paused to reflect on the amazing journey just completed and gave thanks to our little ship that carried, protected and taught us so much.
And with the rumble of thunderstorms above us, we drove away with the rain accompanying our tears.
It was a blessing to sail aboard our floating home, build lifelong relationships and see part of the world in such a unique way. We now have cruising in our blood. And while we have just wrapped up one adventure, we both wholeheartedly agreed that, Lord willing, it won’t be our last.
There isn’t much to report from our drive back to Texas, other than a cargo van corners like an semi-truck and guzzles gas like an airplane. By far the delight of the drive was pulling into the driveway for a warm welcome from family.
Going forward, this blog will be less about our cruising adventures and more on our cruising reflections and future dreams. THANK YOU for joining us as virtual crew along this journey. And we’d be honored if you’d stay on as we transition into land-based sailors for awhile.
Happy Saturday! Hope your weekend is coming along well.
{this moment} – A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple moment to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama’s Friday ritual.
In honor of Shark Week, we’re showcasing our experiences with some of the best Bahamas’ shark spots.
From friendly to fiercesome, you can find a range of species making their home among the 700+ Bahamian islands and cays. We’ll give you a glimpse of our experiences with them at Compass Cay, Conception Island, and in the Jumentos.
Compass Cay
The best place to get up close and personal with dozens of relatively harmless nurse sharks is located 65 miles southeast of Nassau. Compass Cay is home to a large population of these bottom feeders who prefer crustaceans, stingray and the steady flow of marina scraps over humans for snacks. Toss out a few pieces of stale bread from your boat and they’ll be swarming around in no time. You can pet them, take pictures, and even join them in the water if you’re feeling adventurous. Their skin feels like wet leather and even though they’re benign, their beady eyes and slithering motion still make them seem ALL SHARK.
You can read more about our time at Compass Cay here.
Conception Island
Only accessible by boat or seaplane and mostly surrounded by a maze of coral reef, Conception Island offers unparalleled snorkeling and fish spotting. Which, also means unparalleled amounts of shark food. This “out island” is surrounded by deep Atlantic waters (as opposed to the more shallow sandbanks of the Exumas) that run right up to the shore of the island, which provides an attractive habitat for the sharks.
It was among these reefs that Christie set a new speed swimming record when she spotted a shark less than 50 feet away. A blacktip reef shark, about four feet long, was hovering near a reef as she rounded the corner and locked eyes with it. Most likely the shark was searching for small easy-to-snag reef fish (not a skittish swimmer) so we respectfully changed our direction and continued taking in the majestic underwater show.
For more about our time at Conception Island, click here.
The Jumentos
The Jumentos are the southernmost islands of the Bahamas. They’re pure wilderness with only a few small settlements that are home to the hardiest of islanders who share their waters with the largest and fiercest of Bahamian sharks.
Down there, you’ll likely spot large hammerheads, bull sharks, black tips, tigers and nurse sharks in abundance. And often times they’re swimming right by your anchored boat as the sharks are lured into the shallow waters by all the fish scraps tossed overboard from the plethora of fisherman in the area.
While there, we spotted a hammerhead behind Kaleo and swam with a few aggressive reef sharks who wanted the fish Matt had speared. He graciously obliged their demand and swam away from his catch (i.e.; their snack). If you’re ever that far south, be sure to keep your eyes peeled while in the water as you’re sure to be sharing your playground.
Our trip to the Jumentos can be found here.
Kaleo and crew left Norfolk Sunday morning on the cusp of a heat wave bound for Deltaville, VA, about a day’s sail up the Chesapeake.
As we passed by the marina in Deltaville we caught a glimpse of our friends’ Ted and Mili’s boat, Morning Glory, waiting patiently for their return from land touring. We so wished they were around as we set the hook in the serene harbor nearby.
After a peaceful night’s rest (and our last at anchor aboard Kaleo), we made for Solomon’s Island, MD. That morning the heat wave finally caught up with us as we made a windless motor passage in 95° heat. Electing for a good night’s rest, we pulled into a marina and fired up the A/C. We ordered pizza, had our showers and enjoyed the almost freezing interior.
We spent the evening debating the pros and cons of continuing to explore the Chesapeake for a few more months. And while there are literally hundreds of places to sail and see in the Chesapeake, annually July and August are hot (not fun to anchor in), windless (meaning more motoring, less sailing), with a lot of the bay being home to nettles, a kind of jellyfish (limiting any thought of swimming).
In the end, we decided it wouldn’t be a lot of fun if we were bound to marinas for the A/C, so next stop was Herrington Harbor where we would store Kaleo.
Tuesday morning, as we headed for the yard, hundreds of sailboats swarmed out of the harbor in sync with us as if offering a spectacular send-off parade. While it was really all the racers from the Annapolis to Solomons Screwpile Challenge, it was a wonderfully emotional lift to be surrounded by so many light-hearted sailors along our final sail into the Chesapeake Bay.
From the Outer Banks we ventured across the Albemarle Sound and while it shares a similarly precarious reputation with the Pamlico, we had a safe and smooth crossing to Coinjock, NC.
On Tuesday we pulled into (or rather through) the small North Carolina town of Coinjock along the ICW for a night’s stay at Midway Marina and then spent the next full day motorsailing to the town dock at Great Bridge in Chesapeake, VA.
Nestled between a bascule bridge and lock, this wall dock is a perfect overnight stay before locking through the next morning. Bonus: With Simpatico and Jesse Marie on the same route, we formed a great neighborhood and enjoyed a fun dinner out at Toro Loco, just a short walk away. I love how cruisers’ paths weave in and out, mixing in new friends with the familiar, along our travels.
Friday morning it was on to Portsmouth, VA, a small seaport that’s managed to hold onto its 18th-and 19th-century charm for over 250 years. With Downtown Norfolk just across the river, we planned to slow down and take in the towns. We tucked Kaleo into the scenic waterfront town dock at High Street Landing and were off to enjoy the temperate day (mid 70’s by day, high 60’s by night).
Over the next couple of days we:
Exhausted from the full day, we tumbled into bed with plans to continue north the next morning.
Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is coming along well.
{this moment} – A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple moment to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama’s Friday ritual.
After our fill of fun in Oriental, we elected to take the less traveled route up the East Coast by way of the Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands about 30 miles off the east coast of North Carolina.
Affectionately called the “OBX”, these islands offer isolated escape from the hectic pace of the mainland and are home to some famous firsts of American history, from the first English born baby in the New World to the Wright brothers’ first powered flight near Kitty Hawk.
Our first stop, Ocracoke Island.
Part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (a marine national park) and only accessible by boat or small plane, Ocracoke is considered the Pearl of the Outer Banks for its renowned beaches, authentic village charm and natural beauty. With a clear forecast for Saturday, we made our way across the Pamlico Sound, which has a reputation for being a contemptuous and fickle body of water. Other than slow progress due to currents and little wind, we were blessed with a safe and easy sail to this enchanting island.
Evening fell as we dropped the hook in the protected Silver Lake Harbor, the very place where the infamous Blackbeard once kept his pirate fleet and met his fate during a naval battle in 1718. Surrounded on all sides by the village and a lighthouse shining brightly, Silver Lake is about as perfect an anchorage as they come. And it only got better from there. We joined Gregg and Jo on board Simpatico for a delish Indian curry chicken dinner and made plans to explore the next day.
After watching church service on Sunday, we joined Simpatico in renting bikes and pedaled off to the fun-loving Howards Pub Restaurant for lunch before making our way to the beach. And what a beach it is! With over 16 miles of unspoiled Atlantic shoreline, Ocracoke offers the most beautiful and secluded beach we’ve seen along the East Coast. No wonder it was named America’s Best Beach for 2007.
From the sun and sand, our pedal-powered machines took us back to the village for an ice cream break then on to see the Ocracoke Lighthouse. Built in 1823, it’s the oldest operating lighthouse on the East Coast. Though the interior was closed to tours, it was neat to see a tower that served as the warning guardian to so many ships.
We all continued our leisurely cruise and, from one end to the other, we covered just about every inch of the village. Along the way we stopped at the British Cemetery, where four navy men from the British Ship HMT Bedfordshire are buried and celebrated each year after their ship was sunk by a German U-Boat while on loan to the U.S. during WWII.
A must-visit if you’re in Ocracoke, Zillie’s Island Pantry is a unique wine, beer and gourmet foods and cheese shop where we stopped for pre-sundowners. Then it was back to the boats for dinner before returning to shore to enjoy some live music.
Monday morning we were up early for a sail north to Manteo on Roanoke Island, another hot spot in the Outer Banks and the home port of our friends Chip and Tammy of Cara Mia.
They, along with Dale and Karen of Jesse Marie were already there with plans for us to join them that evening for “The Lost Colony”, the nation’s first and longest-running outdoor drama reenacting the lives and fate of the first English colony to settle in the area.
After a long but (thankfully) easy trip up, we dropped the hook and dinghied in for a heartfelt reunion over pre-theater cocktails. Then it was off for an evening of entertainment at the historic outdoor Waterside Theatre.
The performance is an intense account of what was believed to have happened to The Lost Colony. It’s a story of hope and fear, of comedy and tragedy, of mystery and suspense. And it’s retold each summer on the very site where it took place.
More than 400 years ago (1587), 117 men, women and children sailed from Plymouth, England to settle on a New World of Roanoke Island. Just three years after settling, they vanished, leaving behind no trace of their fate. From the hardships of crossing the Atlantic, to attacks from Indians and lack of supply ships from their homeland, these settlers endured and kept faith that they would survive. Though the full story will never be known, it’s believed they couldn’t sustain the colony and with less than 60 remaining, eventually moved south in search of more fertile grounds.
The following morning we moved into a slip at the Manteo Waterfront Marina and borrowed Chip and Tammy’s bikes (thanks guys!) to explore the town. In between cool off sessions in the A/C aboard Kaleo, we explored the historic waterfront, visited the maritime museum and even washed the boat.
We wrapped up the evening with a “neighborhood” BBQ on the docks with Jesse Marie and Cara Mia. Dale grilled steaks and chicken over charcoal briquettes and we all enjoyed a feast of dishes from all three boats. Once again, thoroughly enjoying the friendships formed along these adventures.
Thanks for letting us continue to share these adventures with you. Can you think of a time when you took the road less traveled? We’d love to hear about it!
(*Photo credit: http://www.ocracokeisland.com/Ocracoke.htm)
We’re delighted to have been nominated by Matt over at Life’s A Journey to participate in the Tripbase, “7 Links Blogger Challenge“. This project is sweeping the social media scene and is a way to shed light on a handful of archived posts and to show some love to fellow travel bloggers.
We are honored to be the first cruisers that have been selected to participate and are excited to pass the torch on to five others (cruisers of course) in hopes of spreading the word about this interesting project among the cruising and sailing communities.
With the challenge’s criteria to guide us, we reflected on the 200+ posts we’ve written here over the past two and a half years to compile the following.
MOST BEAUTIFUL – Harbour Island, The Nantucket of the Caribbean
This was probably the hardest category to narrow down. We’re blessed to have sailed to so many jaw-droppingly beautiful places along our travels. If we have to pick just ONE place then it would be Harbor Island off of Eleuthera. Only accessible by boat (and having to cross through the Devil’s Backbone to reach it), this settlement is truly beautiful in every sense of the word with the open Atlantic crashing over pink sand beaches, tree shaded lanes winding through historic English architecture and a sense that everyone on the island had the same mindset – to enjoy it. Read the post …
MOST POPULAR POST – Inside Our Home
Many readers have asked what it’s really like living on a sailboat. They’re specifically curious to know how we can thrive each day in an indoor living space no larger than most people’s bedroom. The best way to describe it was to open the front door and invite them in. Our home is mobile, efficient, and sufficient. And that’s the beauty of it. Despite being the size of a walk-in closet and in some form of constant motion, it doesn’t feel confining. Rather, we wake up to a new playground each day and have a pretty snazzy pool. We welcome you to take the tour. Read the post …
MOST CONTROVERSIAL POST – Kaleo is For Sale
We knew as soon as we pressed “Publish” on this post, we were in for some startled responses. While we are offering Kaleo for sale, it’s because she is a vessel built for cruising the ocean and at least for a while, we are returning to adventures ashore. She served her purpose admirably and we look forward to to seeing where she will take her new crew. But for the record, we are by no means finished with sailing or the cruising lifestyle. Read the post …
MOST HELPFUL POST – Kaleo Has Been Newly Salted
This post, written as part of the Interview with a Cruiser project, compiled some of the most common questions from aspiring cruisers and our answers to them. This interview, along with the many others who have participated in IWOC, are building a knowledge bank that aims to better prepare those dreaming of and/or planning to toss the docklines. Read the post …
MOST SURPRISING SUCCESS – The Charm of Charleston
When looking at our traffic stats, we were surprised that our top destination post was not the exotic locale of a remote tropical island. Rather, it seems like readers were lured by good old lowcountry livin’. We couldn’t agree with them more as the charm of Charleston captivated our hearts and had us staying much longer than planned and leaving sooner than we would have liked. This post was even featured on the Southend Brewery & Smokehouse’s blog, a local restaurant where we dined one evening. Read the post …
DESERVED MORE ATTENTION – A Big 0, Means We’re One Step Closer
This post probably didn’t get a lot of attention because it’s not about sailing, cruising, travel or adventure. But for us, without the step of becoming debt free and having an aggressive savings plan, none of the other posts would have been possible. When people ask how we were able to step away from our careers to sail about the world for awhile, we suggest they start here. Read the post …
MOST PROUD OF – Yoga and Kids’ Church
Kids have a big place in our heart. And it’s important to us to give back to the communities we visit along our travels. So, one of the many ways we have connected with islanders was by volunteering as tutors at their schools and teaching kids’ church in the community. With Bahamian churches, we also shared resources from our home church that support children’s Christian growth. Read the post …
MY NOMINATIONS
The final piece of the project is to nominate five other travel bloggers to take part. Here are my 5 nominations:
WHAT TO DO: To the bloggers selected above, the rules for participating in the 7 Links Project can be found here. Be sure to nominate someone who has not already been nominated. You can check the current list of nominations here.
Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is coming along well.
{this moment} – A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple moment to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama’s Friday ritual.
On Tuesday, we untied from the dock in Carolina Beach, waved goodbye to Auntie Linda, and continued north toward Beaufort, the third oldest town in North Carolina and pronounced “BO-fert” as opposed to the “Bu-fert” of SC.
It was a two day hop that had us anchoring within the boundaries of a military base, Camp Lejune. Though the cruising guide says any boats in the area can be ordered to leave due to military maneuvers at anytime, day or night, we had an undisturbed and peaceful night’s sleep. And a bonus, we synced back up with our friends, Gregg and Jo, of Simpatico who also happened to be anchored there.
As we were pulling up anchor on Wednesday morning we met a fellow cruiser in the anchorage, David, on Cloud Messenger. His depth sounder had stopped working so he asked to follow us through some potentially tricky parts of the ICW where the channel gets shallow. Our boats draw the same amount of water (depth of the keel), so if we started getting into questionable areas we could warn him via radio and proceed slowly together. So, with Simpatico, the three of us set out for Beaufort.
It turned out to be an easy 45 mile (7 hour) motorsail with only one shallow enough area where we skimmed bottom. We set the hook (actually two in opposing directions because of the crowded anchorage and switching currents) then did some research on what to see in town and relaxed on board the rest of the evening.
We spent Thursday morning window shopping, exploring the waterfront and visiting the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Along with artifacts and displays on boating, fishing and lighthouses on the East Coast, the museum is the official repository for articles from Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, which ran aground near Beaufort in 1718.
The ship was discovered by a commercial salvage company in 1996 near where it was reportedly run aground by Blackbeard and his crew. Many of the near 300 year old artifacts, from the ships enormous anchor to its many cannons, dinnerware and muskets have been recovered. Since it sank slowly after hitting the a shoal, Blackbeard and his men had time to ferry off all of the treasure. Along with the intriguing exhibit, we were surprised to learn the Blackbeard’s rein as a fierce pirate was only over a span of about two years. That’s a lot of heck to raise in such a short amount of time!
After taking in our fill of pirate lore, it was back to Kaleo to head for Oriental. We were again joined by Cloud Messenger, and other than a quick stop on anchor to keep us from sailing into a storm passing ahead, had another uneventful trip. We pulled into the free Town Dock (check out their HarborCam), secured the boat and sauntered around the unofficial sailing capital of North Carolina. Dubbed so because with only 875 residents, there are over 2500 boats.
That evening we met up with our new sailing friend, David, and swapped Bahamas cruising stories over dinner at M&M’s Cafe.
On Friday morning, we could see a wall of rain charging our way, so we closed up Kaleo and headed across the street to “The Bean.” The local coffee shop where all the town’s news, sailing stories and such are traded over their signature drinks. We indulged in the Chai Tea Smoothie and Chai Tea Float while mingling with others seeking dry shelter while waiting out the torrential downpour.
After the sun came out, we hopped on complimentary bikes borrowed from the cruiser-friendly “Provision Company” and explored more of the town. After mining through the treasures at the boater favorite “Marine Consignment of Oriental” and a ride over the town bridge, it was back to Kaleo for a few boat chores. Afterward, Simpatico came by for a visit, David came for taco dinner and we met a neat family of four that had been out on a week-long trip aboard their trailerable sailboat.
The group wrapped up the night over margaritas and some “Bimini Ring on a String” at Oriental Marina’s Tiki Bar. From there, we headed home to get some rest and prepare for a long day of crossing the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke, an island accessible only by boat, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
We had a wonderful week+ stay at the “Ritz Carlson!” On Saturday, Kaleo glided into a guest slip at Auntie Linda’s condo on Carolina Beach where we would spend the next nine days lounging, learning lots of new ways to slay sea creatures (thanks Jim!), and soaking up treasured time with the family.
It was an action-packed visit culminating in a festive 4th of July celebration. We were well taken care of by auntie and cousins as we:
Thanks Auntie Linda for opening your home to us and Jim and Sarah for all the fishing and cooking lessons. We loved getting to spend time with you guys and the visit is one of the highlights of our trip.
N 34° 20.70 / W 77° 53. 37
Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is coming along well.
{this moment} – A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple moment to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama’s Friday ritual.
Some of you might have noticed a widget on the left-hand side of our page noting that Kaleo is now for sale.
Kaleo under sail along the southern tip of Long Island, Bahamas
Nearly two and a half years ago we invested in a capable Aloha 34 that would take us on adventures greater than we could imagine. She has safely and comfortably carried us over 3,000 miles from Kemah, Texas along the Gulf Coast, across the Gulf Stream and throughout the Bahamas as far south as the remote Jumentos, and now up the East Coast.
We had initial plans for a six month cruise and have inevitably extended it. What we’ve learned, accomplished, seen and experienced leaves us in awe, inspired and eternally grateful. Kaleo has served her purpose well.
As we wrap up our summer sail up the East Coast, we want Kaleo to continue her adventures under new ownership. She is a seaworthy cruising boat built and outfitted to carry her captain and crew on exploration. So rather than have her docked and growing a bottom beard while we’re states away, the plan (for now anyhow) is to continue north to Annapolis where we’ll put her on the hard in a safe and protected storage facility until a sale is final.
For prospective buyers, please see our “Kaleo is For Sale” page for detailed information on all of its systems, equipment lists, photos, and an asking price. Feel free to contact us with questions or to set a time to see Kaleo for yourself.
As for this blog, we still have a lot to share here. We’ll continue to post our progress over the summer, reflect on some share-worthy cruising material and resources that may help others live the dream, upload more photos from the adventures, offer insights into future cruising plans, and more.
We are humbled by your encouragement, prayers, and advice. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Today we gratefully celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Because 235 years ago a group of courageous men got together and they made a commitment, they made a declaration. These Founding Fathers were willing to risk everything for a set of ideals that still inspire the people of this nation today.
For us, those ideals have bestowed the freedom to pursue a road less traveled. One where the notion of breaking free from the status quo, living simply and exploring the world in our floating home went beyond just capturing our imaginations. It gave us the freedom to pursue a dream and to see it take life.
Today we’re reminded that this freedom came at a high price and that we’re remarkably blessed because of the sacrifices made to secure it. That in itself is worthy of a spectacular celebration.
As you reflect on your dreams, you might find inspiration in revisiting The Declaration that was drafted to give us all the freedom to pursue them.
When it comes to toting our gear from the boat and back and everywhere in between, we’re set!
The crew over at Sailor Bags generously shared an assortment of their signature bags to help outfit us along our sailing adventures. And they’ve certainly done so in style!
These bags are sturdy, fully collapsible, water resistant and guaranteed for life making them ideal for anyone active on and off the water. Being crafted from custom-woven sailcloth, they have a classic nautical appeal that keeps them in season year-round and adventurers like us organized on the go.
We first discovered their website when searching for durable, stylish and affordable bags to replace our bulky landlife luggage. While we could find durable bags out there, none seem to fit the full bill of style, value, and durability as ideally as Sailor Bags.
With Kaleo dockside while we visit family in Carolina Beach this week, we’ve been using our bags continuously to haul clothing and gear back and forth from the boat to the pool, condo, cars, and beach. They pack easily with large openings secured by sturdy zippers (like the kind on a dodger or bimini) and the tough sailcloth can handle being tossed onto the dock or sitting on the cement at the pool.
Sailor Bags are made in almost every style and size that you could want. Duffles, Totes, Cooler Bags, BackPacks, Messengers, Stow Bags and more. In case you’re curious, we have the Mini and XL Tote, Medium and XL Duffel, Messenger Bag, Wristlet, CoolerBag, and LunchBag.
Check out their site to learn more and join them on Facebook where they have fun giveaways, discounts, and other gift ideas.
Have you “Liked” us on facebook yet?
This is where we post our most recent updates, photos and get to interact with you throughout the day.
It’s easy, just click the “Like” button on the left sidebar of this screen.
If you’ve already joined us there, thank you! We love hearing from you guys so feel free to shoot us a note in the “Leave a Comment” box here under each blog post or in the comments section over on the s/v Kaleo facebook page.
See you there!
Charleston has been a great home for the past 10 days!
This city has captivated our hearts with its rich history, poised charm, culinary delights, and hospitable character.
With the captain’s eye on the road to recovery, we spent a restful Wednesday getting a lay of the land by way of the dark tinted windowed and air-conditioned vintage-inspired trolley fleet (free). That evening, we made the walk from our home in the Charleston Maritime Center to enjoy a waterfront dinner at Fleet Landing (Iron Skillet Mussels, Carolina Lump Crab Cakes with all the good Lowcountry sides) while watching sailboats race in the harbor. This set our culinary tour through the city in motion. Thanks for the recco, Chip!
We quickly realized there was a lot of ground to cover and while downtown is walkable, we decided to rent cruiser bicycles from Affordabike (only $40/bike for the week). In addition to riding through virtually every nook and cranny of downtown Charleston, we:
Note: For the discerning visitor who wants to experience true Old Charleston as a guest, not a tourist, Laura offers a comprehensive Charleston Tea Party Private Tour. She will guide up to six people through her friends’ historic homes and gardens in the morning and wraps up with an elegant home-cooked lunch of Low Country cuisine served on 19th century Cantonware at her home. See her website for her number to make your reservation for this authentic Charleston experience when you’re next in town.
We untied Kaleo’s docklines on Thursday afternoon and headed into Charleston Harbor absolutely smitten with this seaside city.
N 32° 47.18 / W 79° 53.30
