Where did I leave off?

April 17, 2015

We left Beaufort, S.C. in a light fog. It stayed with us for a couple of hours before lifting completely but the day was mostly overcast. We put in a long day, almost 12 hours, anchoring just south of Charleston in the Stono River where it meets Elliott Cut. We were in an anchorage with lots of current but the anchor held well.

April 18, 2015

The plan was to go to St. John Yacht Harbour for a pumpout in the morning and then travel for a few hours in the afternoon. Well, we didn't get to the Yacht Harbour until 1130, after travelling between the finger docks almost sideways with the current. Things were just so good there, we stayed all day. First the pumpout was free, as was the water, and showers. Then when we asked about tying up and going ashore for groceries, they offered us a slip free for the afternoon and a courtesy car free for 2 hours. How could we refuse? Needless to say, it was after 1700 before we left the marina so travelling any distance today was out of the question. We anchored outside the marina in a strong current, little sleep for Jorge.

April 19, 2015

It was race weekend in Charleston with some 300 sailboats participating. The Coast Guard was broadcasting restricted areas in the harbour during the day so we opted to leave Stono River at 0600 and get across the harbour before the races started at 0830. Mission accomplished! We motored and motor sailed through the ICW. We encountered some really shallow areas slowing right down to almost idle, as the depth sounder showed shallower and shallower water. We need it to read 3.3 feet before running aground and we were very near to that depth! Finally the water got deeper, the current was with us and the wind picked up so we put the genoa out. At one point we were doing 8.2 kts in a narrow channel in 7.6 feet of water! A little irresponsible? Maybe. It was another long day, almost 12 hours. We set anchor in Minim Creek just south of Georgetown. No sooner was the anchor set when it started to rain, complete with thunder and lots of lightening. A sailboat and a motor boat shared the anchorage with us and I am sure the other captains were quite as relieved as Jorge was when the storm ended.

April 20, 2015

We left Minim Creek just after 0900 and had a pleasant day, motoring past Georgetown and into the Cypress Swamp. We called it quits early and had the anchor set at 1530 in an anchorage we stopped at on the way south. The spot was perfect, little current, no traffic and no thunderstorms!

Early morning rainbow in Cypress Swamp, S.C.

Early morning anchorage in Cypress Swamp, S.C.

April 21, 2015

We left the anchorage just after 0900. Destination - Myrtle Beach, only 3 hours away. Shawn and Leanne took a slip there as Shawn needed to be away on business for a few days. We tied up a few slips away from them shortly after 1200. In the afternoon, Jorge caught a soccer match on t.v. while I walked to the grocery store. Afterwards we met up with Shawn and Leanne (and Daeyten) for happy hour and appetizers at the marina bar, then back to their boat for more happy hours.

Party boat on ICW from marina bar, Myrtle Beach.

April 22, 2015

Shawn left early for his business trip so Leanne and Daeyten joined Jorge and I for a trip to Myrtle Beach proper. The marina provided free transportation to and from the beach. We walked along the boardwalk sightseeing before walking back along the beach. We stopped for lunch at a beach side restaurant and then called the marina for a ride back to the boat. Jorge caught another soccer match on t.v. and I prepared supper, we were having Leanne and Daeyten over to have an early celebration of Daeyten's upcoming birthday.

L - R: Kim, Daeyten, Leanne in Myrtle Beach.

The boardwalk in Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach.

She was sooo adorable!

April 23, 2015

We left the marina at 1250, travelling just 15 miles to anchor in Calabash Creek, right on the border of S.C and N.C., a very calm anchorage. I must say, most of our anchorages in the states have been very quiet and peaceful.

Lighthouse (non-working for decoration only) along ICW.