Three Sons took advantage of some gorgeous weather cruising conditions (with the exception of one day of a bad prediction) and cruised through South Carolina in four days putting 211 miles behind us.
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in South Carolina takes on various forms of landscape from moss draped cypress lined streams to low land mashes to million dollar homes on top of each other to modest houses spread out. South Carolina is also know for: quick tide swings of up to 8 feet, strong currents, random spots of shoaling which leads to white knuckle driving during low tide.
Leaving Savannah, GA, it was a 40 Nautical Mile (5 hour and 31min) cruise to Beaufort where we picked up a mooring ball. The ride was rough with high winds (35mph at times) that were not predicted. Once settled, we decide to relax on the boat enjoying delicious meal of crock pot stuffed peppers.
The next day was beautiful, sun shining and low winds for a long cruising day of 72.7 Nautical Miles. We dropped anchor in Whiteside Creek (AKA: the middle of nowhere). The night was charming and calm and we woke the next morning relaxed and ready for yet another cruise. This leg of moving through the South Carolina, we cruised 42.5 Nautical Miles docking in Georgetown for a wonderful day and night of exploring one of our favorite little towns. Our last South Carolina trek was again a long one. Traveling 56.6 Nautical Miles (8hours and 31 minutes) to the northern most point of the state where we dropped anchor in Little River outside of Bird Island.
Our goal is not to move this fast, but we are hurrying up the East Coast to get the stabilizers fixed. Luckily, we have visited much of this territory and with gorgeous weather conditions we are easily and calming moving.
Whiteside Creek, NC
Unfortunately, we cruised through Charleston, not stopping, which meant we missed a visit with the Marchs. Hopefully, no mechanical issues next time, because Charleston is a stop that is sad to miss. Charleston Harbor was quite a busy place with a flurry of activity! We probably passed 500 boats from fast ferries to barges, pleasure crafts of all sizes and jet skies. Just a quick left hand turn off the ICW we found an amazing creek to anchor in and enjoy the evening.Leaving Whiteside Creek heading back into the ICW
Georgetown, NC
The dolphins entertained us on our jaunt from Beaufort to Georgetown. For miles and miles dolphins swam along with us. Finally, some photogenetic dolphins who spun and jumped for the camera. One of the easiest and nicest marinas, we have stayed at with a lovey dockmaster. Not a resort type place, just simple and sweet. OMG The Best! We went walking looking for a coffee shop and stumbled across Sweeties. We meandered in because the sign said “coffee.” What we quickly learned from the incredible nice gentleman working is they put ice cream in their ice coffee! Using frozen ice cubes of coffee and a scoop of Sea Salt Carmel ice cream, this was a bit of heaven.We walked back to town for dinner and had a great pizza at SOCO Wood Fire Pizza. Of course, next we walked to Winyah Brewery for a nightcap. Well, this picture might be pretty but this was the worst beer ever! Forgetting the name, it was a brown ale and was so bad Tracy did not even drink it!Harbor walk So long South Carolina, see ya in a year! Hopefully, we will have more time to do this state visiting justice. We met Doug from Ripple last year at Elizabeth City. He lives on the ICW and saw us moving by, reached out the radio and did some catching up as we passed by his house.
