While we were sailing last night we tuned in to the local marine weather forecast. When the computerized voice calmly got to the part about winds to 40 knots and seas to 16 feet, we made a quick right turn and this morning ducked into Charleston Harbor.

One of the reasons we have so much fun sailing is that whenever poissible, we are “weather whimps.” Can we sail in 40 knots of wind and 16 foot waves? Sure. We can do it safely, and without breaking either us or the boat. One thing that we would NOT have in conditions like that is FUN. So we chose to skip it!

Charleston Harbor doesn’t have a lot of great sheltered anchorages, so we called around as we arrived first thing in the morning trying to find dock space. In the middle of the great fall seasonal southward migration that wasn’t easy. We did finally find a decidedly second rate spot, (an exposed dock, and no power) but it will do. After a pretty calm morning when we arrived, the wind has picked up and is now blowing quite hard. We’re happy to be tied down!

We do have some famous, and large, dock neighbors. Right at the end of the dock is the local naval museum, featuring the famous World War II aircraft carrier Yorktown.

Depending on exactly how quickly the weather settles down again, we’ll be off from here either tomorrow afternoon, or Thursday morning.