Demanding schedule: 1 trip ends; 3 more planned

Ms. Bettencourt made her first overnight cruise of the season this week. Our 12-year-old granddaughter and I went about 15 miles downstream to the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. We debarked and had a closeup look at the 75-year-old structure. Back on the water, we found an anchorage and settled in for her first night on the River. Fried chicken, Oreo cookies and a few totally-truthful sea stories ended a very nice day.

The granddaughter seems to have had an enjoyable experience and the boat performed perfectly.






Later this month, my friend Major and I will load Ms. Bettencourt on her trailer for a road trip to Georgetown, SC. The plan is to launch there, then proceed up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to Southport, NC, with an intermediate overnight at Myrtle Beach, SC. We should be home by May 3, which will allow about a month for boat work and painting before the next trip.

My friend Paul will be joining me in the first week of June for that voyage. We will trailer to Welaka, FL, on the St. Johns River, then meander south up the (northward flowing) St. Johns. We'll stop at Hontoon Island for an overnight, then press on to the metropolis of Sanford on Lake Monroe.

After that, I'll be looking for buddy for a trip down the Savannah River to Savannah, and on to Beaufort, SC.

The cruiser's schedule is indeed demanding.

Tough work, but someone has to do it. (Smile).