Wedding Week!

" To our family.  It is great to gather with you once again in this time of celebration. To our friends you are the family we choose and we choose you!  It means everything to have you join us tonite!  To Andrew and Jessica having someone to share life's good times is just fun. Having someone to share life's challenges is a blessing.  We are all thrilled that you have found both in each other. "

Needless to say it was not just another week on the the Gypsy Soul.  Our daughter has a new last name and Becky and I have a new member of our family. Welcome aboard Andrew!!! And once again our family and friends ruled the day!  We are still living living in the glow of the week and it is because of ya'll!  

What a week we had.

Starting the week off with an amazing lobster & clam feast courtesy of the Adams'

A.W. Shucks

Holy City Brewery

Walking food tour of Charleston on Wednesday with John,Paula,Gary,Kathy,Emily & Joe. That  wrapped up at Holy City Brewery and Taco's at Taco Boy where they have the most amazing pineapple infused Tequila

Roof of the 225 Grill was the scene of the festivities for Thursday where we picked up Jeff & Barbara, Valerie & Alex, Denise & Dale and Felicia & Stewart.

Friday brought a celebration of the nifty 50 club.....

and the rehearsal dinner @ Waters Edge with the Middleton's & Bridal Party followed by more celebrating on the roof of the Vendue.  Joining the celebration today were Fran & Peg, Collette & Will, Rich & Linda, Jim & Sue and Erin & Mick. 
Now that the gangs all here - How about a wedding!  
























Saturday morning brought torrential rain and high winds until about 1pm when the rain stopped and a little bit of sun made its way to us.  As the bride & groom made their way to the "get away car", there was a bolt of lightening, a crack of thunder and the skies opened up once again.  Perfect ending to a perfect day.  Beautiful ceremony, and an amazing good time with friends and family (new and old)  



Now it's time to put our feet up an
d catch up on some needed rest.

Link to wedding week photos ===> https://plus.google.com/photos/114727171873674970750/albums/6143315719054638849?authkey=CJaKscfy9tWdGw

Check back often as I get more pix I'll add them to the album.

Hanging out in Charleston

WOW!!!

What a great time we are having on this extended stay in Charleston.  It is now wedding week and I thought I'd do a pre-wedding update.

We have really been able to explore this great city.  Since landing here on March 30th - we have logged over 100 miles walking and over 25 miles of biking.

Morning jog along waterfront

Late night visit to Kaminski's:

Biked the Ravenel Bridge:
2.5 miles each way.  Can I just tell you that the ride from Charleston to Mt.Pleasant is a lot more gradual than the ride back from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston (which kicked my butt)

Historical Houses and their pristine gardens

However, the best part of being here these few weeks is having been able to spend relaxed, quality time with our #1 Girl and her guy preparing for the wedding festivities.

Making Wedding Favors

I Spy.....

Dinner at Pane E Vino

Chilaxing on the Fly

Taking in a Hockey game

Link to pix for Mobile users ==> here

Day 52 - 85/ 727 Statutory Miles: Charleston, SC

Our Route from Lady's Island, SC to Charleston, SC

Watts Cut

We weren't sure if we would make Charleston in one day.  Not because of the distance, but because of the timing of the tides.  There are two areas along this route that were a concern.  Ashepoo - Coosaw Cutoff (East & West) and Watt's Cut.  We were most worried about Watts Cut.  All of the charts indicated less than 5 feet at low tide, and low tide was ~ 12:30pm.  We got up at the butt crack of dawn and were on our way just before 7am, which put us at Ashepoo about 1 hour into low tide and Watts cut @ 3 hours into low tide giving us + 2.5 ft, which was just enough to get through.  We have the depth alarm set for 5ft and it went off about a dozen times just toward the end of Watts Cut. From here on it was supposed to be ok regardless of the tide.

A few hours later we passed by John's Island and some kayaking spots that we have only arrived at by land;

Beach we've Kayaked to with Jess & Andrew a few times

Where the Florida crew launched from August 2014.

Just before Charleston Harbor, you pass through Elliots cut where you get your first view of the city.

About 1/2 way through our day we started to hear radio chatter about a "derelict" sailboat adrift, unmanned in the Ashley river in front of the marina.  As you pass under the bridge, the marina is just across the river and to the left.  We expected to see some commotion with this drifting boat to add to our docking experience, but the coast guard had dealt with it a few minutes earlier.  As the marina directed us to our slip; they confirmed our desire for a starboard tie-up. Then the conversation went something like this;

• Marina:  "Captain, do you have stern thrusters?"
• Captain:  "Yes stern & bow thrusters."
• Marina:  "Oh Good!"
• Marina:  "Come behind the Megadock, the long T-dock facing the river.  About 1/2 way down, it will open up, spin around and back down the alley.  You will pass a large yellow hull sport fish and a 47' Nordhaven.  You will see us waving at you - just back in between the two boats."

We are 43 feet the space that Captain flawlessly tucked the GS into is about 53'. 

We were also greeted by 2 volunteer dockhands; Mr. Middleton & the future Mrs. Middleton to assist with the lines. Later the same evening, they showed up with the most spectacular dinner for the two weary travelers.  Homemade lasagna, salad, bread, a bottle of wine and desert.  What a treat - Thanks guys!

So happy to be here for 6 weeks!