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Those were the words uttered by Mrs.Charlene Webb, of Beaufort, SC upon hearing the Captain was a descendant of the many Barnwell's and Elliotts buried there in St. Helena's churchyard. And then she said, "Why, we're related too -- I am also a descendant of the Barnwell's." An impromptu family reunion in the church hall.

The Captain has family roots deep in the low country. One of the first persons to be buried at St. Helena's was Col. John Barnwell, also known as "Tuscarora Jack"because of the wars he led against the Tuscarora Indians. He was born in Ireland in 1671 and died in South Carolina in June 1724.

Col. John's grandson, Robert Woodward Barnwell, also buried at St. Helena's, was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, later the US House of Representatives, and also the President of the University of South Carolina. In 1860 he was a candidate for the Presidency of the Confederacy.
On the Elliott side, Brig. Gen. Stephen Elliott, JR CSA was best known for this defense of Fort Sumter, "converting its ruins into an impregnable fortress. After the War of Northern Aggression he was re-elected to the SC State Legislature, but weakened by wounds and exposure, he died a few months later in February 1866. Another notable Elliott found buried at St. Helena's was William Elliott II was a veteran of the American Revolution, wounded in the Battle of St. John's Island. After the war he developed plantations on Parris Island and Hilton Head, and he was the first to plant Sea Island Cotton in South Carolina. Born in 1761, he died in May 1808.

Here are some other images from St. Helena's and Beaufort, SC:

As you can tell, We had a fascinating day wandering about Beaufort, and taking a guided carriage ride. We then motored to Dataw (aka Datha) Island where we were greeted by Jim Gourd, a fellow CCA member, and enjoyed a fun dinner with Jim and his wife Babs.
This morning we are headed towards Charleston -- a two day trip.

Technical Difficulties

I finally had a good wireless connection today and thought I would upload a bunch of pictures. Noteto self: just because my computer at home has a slot for my memory card does not mean the Captain's l?aptop has the same. Second note to self : the teenage boys at Best Buy were wrong when they told me I did not need the us eb4 USB card. Bottom line: allthe photos I have taken with my good camera are trapped there until I return to Wayne. Meanwhile my cell phone pictures will have to do. Tonight we are anchored off of Bull Island in sight of Hilton Head. The Captain's. Family tree has the name Bull on it. But that is tomorrow's story!

Mud and Hell With High Water

If shops existed on the ICW one would surely sell T-shirts emblazoned with "I Survived Little Mud River" or "Come Hell (please) With High Water". That pretty much sums up our day. We tackled Little Mud Creek this morning - a stretch of the ICW that lives up to its name. Although maybe it should be called Lots Of Mud Creek. We pressed on following the Georgia marshlands, escorted by dolphins, to Hell Gate, another notoriously shallow stretch. With a sigh of relief we turned into Moon River ( yes THAT Moon River the one that inspired Johnny Mercer to write the song sung by Andy Williams). Dinner as we watched the sunset over Moon River. Savannah tomorrow.

Georgia Bound

We had a great two nights in Fernandina Beach --one at anchor, the next at the dock -- giving us the chance to get out & walk about. Yesterday we said good-bye to Karl -- good shipmate and fixer of many things -- and hello to Al and Donna. Dinner onshore at Brett's was a southern treat, including: biscuits, fried oysters, bbq shrimp, buttermilk fried pork loin, collards, and grits. Fabulous!
Today (Saturday) we have begun our two day trip towards Savannah. I am hoping to have the chance to upload some photos taken along the way -- stay tuned.

There's always laughter on board when Al and Donna join us (check out her t-shirt)

Guns and Dolphins

The alarm rang at 5:45 AM so we could ride the tide from Jacksonville (Mile 740)to Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island (Mile 717) Florida. By 10 Am we had watched a pod of dolphins jump in the distance and swim close to play in our bow; witnessed an Anhinga dry its wings atop a piling; motored close to a bald eagle; and been approached by Homeland Security, with a large, scary 30mm gun firmly mounted on their bow, warning us to stay away from a large ship (named ARC). We wound our way to Fernandina Beach, arriving about 11AM. We will be anchored here, just off the downtown historic district and with a good view of the paper mills, until Saturday when we head towards Georgia.
Fun Fernandina Facts: It is Florida's northernmost city. Amelia Island, named after King George II's daughter, is the only place in the US to have flown 8 different flags, including the standard of the Conquistadors and the French Huguenots, the British Union Jack and the stars and bars of the Confederacy.

Jacksonville Bound

Freedom experienced a crew change on Sunday with the departure of Robin and Alan and the arrival of Karl. St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US, was the changeover spot - and a beautiful one at that. Everyone enjoyed the chance to stretch their legs and enjoy a walk around town. Here's a photo of the Captain heading ashore with Freedom in the background, anchored at the West end of the Bridge of Lions.

Freedom is now cruising the St. John's River beyond Jacksonville. Tomorrow they will turn around and head back towards shore to pick up the First Mate!

Looking to the Sky

A Message from the Captain this morning (April 1st)

Yesterday - March 31st - around 15:00 we were whacked by thunderstorms and heavy winds. NOAA issued waterspout warnings but we did not see any. Stead 30 with gusts to 45 and lots of lightning. Glad to have a heavy boat with a full keel. Being inside was very civilized. The only foredeck work was dropping the anchor. A second squall line came through around 18:00 then lots of lightning and thunder all night.

Looks like a nice day and should have the current with us at least all morning.

This afternoon while passing Cape Canaveral theFreedom crew saw the last Shuttle on its pad. Too far away for a picture, but not for a farewell to another era in the the US Space Program.