Tourist got underway around 7:30 in an attempt to beat some of the days heat. Temps were forecast to be in the 90's. We headed up Elliot Cut and popped out looking straight at downtown Charleston. Beautiful! The sun was shining on the waterfront homes and the harbor was calm. A right turn and we were headed for Fort Sumter.
Before getting all the way to the fort a slight left turn takes you back to the ICW. The harbor was fairly busy with ships coming and going this morning.
Once back on the ICW the water got skinny under Tourist and persisted for most of the day although we never had a problem. The only problem we had was with those pesty fly's. Once again Pam went into attack mode with the fly swatter! Now every time she raises her hand I find myself flinching!
We checked out one anchorage but with very limited cell service and an abundance of flys decided against staying. To get away from the persistent flys we put Tourist up on plane and cruised upstream at 22 mph. It worked! We stayed on plane until just past Georgetown. Another 5 miles and we pulled behind Butler Island and dropped the anchor. Shhhh! I'm not seeing any fly's.
6/1/12 Friday It's National Donut Day! Unfortunately we weren't close to a Dunkin Donuts to get any free donuts. Ah the sacrifices we make living the cruising lifestyle.
Our travel today took us up the Waccamaw River, a river that reminds us somewhat of the rivers at home. Tree lined and winding through the countryside. One difference is the color of the water. Instead of the muddy appearance of our home waters it has the golden hue of a northern Wisconsin stream. Of course this is the why so many boats in this area have what some call an eyebrow, or mustache, or the Carolina Smile at the bow of their boat from the water staining it.
We pulled into the Osprey Marina (www.ospreymarina.com) to top off the fuel tanks and found that boats can live in harmony with turtles.
It became evident we were getting close to Myrtle Beach when we started passing golf course after golf course. Then the topper when a Spirit Air jet glided over us.
The day's travel ended at Barefoot Landing Marina in Myrtle Beach. Not much more than a face dock along the waterway near the Alabama Theater and the House of Blues. Thunderstorms forecast for tonight may force us to stay another night so we can explore the area a bit.
6/2/12 Saturday The forecast had a hint of rain in it but the thought that it was Saturday and all the week-end boaters would be jamming the ICW helped us decide to stay put another day. Our decision was confirmed as the waterway became busy with jet skis, power boats, and anything that could float.
Before the day got too hot Pam & I thought it would be a good time to get a little exercise and walk over to the beach. It was a good walk but for the fact that someone (me) forgot to take the camera. On our way back we checked out the touristy area of Barefoot Landing. Souvenir shops and restaurants make up most of the area along with an Alligator show. The House of Blues and the Alabama Theater. The area reminds me of Lake of the Ozarks or Branson without as many music shows.
Barefoot Landing
Dinner was at T-Bonz right next to the boat where I may have eaten 1 too many ribs. At least that's what Pam said as she rolled me back to Tourist.
6/3/12 Sunday An early departure to get through an area known as the rock pile before the traffic picked up. We didn't want to meet anyone in this tight area.
The mornings travel turned out to be very pleasant with little traffic. We passed strangely colored homes.
Saw Gertrude & Heathcliff watching the traffic.
Even witnessed this reminder to make sure the plug is in.
Once we turned onto the Cape Fear River our speed dropped in half. The tide was going out with a vengeance. Fortunately it was time to let Tourist stretch her legs.
The river was alive with commercial traffic with tugs and both incoming and outgoing ships.
Inbound ship.
All was well as until we started our pass through Snows Cut then traffic picked up dramatically.
Snows Cut.
No sooner had we passed under the bridge shown above when a guy pulling 3 kids on an inflatable water sled did a U-turn right in front of us. Of course one of the kids fell off. We moved over and went around them and continued on dodging the countless number of boats flying in all directions. So now here comes the guy pulling the kids again. He passes us and then starts doing sharp S turns in front of us. You guessed it. Another one fell off. What a knucklehead! No way he should be pulling these kids in this busy channel and without a spotter!
Clueless!
This is the same area we spent too much time in last year when we went through our plotter/transducer debacle. I soured on it then and it hasn't changed but that's just my view. Finally we made it to Wrightsville Beach and our anchorage. Cocktail time! Unfortunately we were rocking so much that it was hard to even pour a drink. The local boaters were using the anchorage as a slalom course weaving in and out of the anchored boats at high rates of speed. Unbelievable the lack of courtesy shown by these people!
It finally slowed down enough for us to drop the dink in the water and head to a Mexican restaurant we discovered last year. The Margarita's are great and some of the best salsa we've found anywhere.
Unfortunately the wind never died down and our night was a little uncomfortable although we both managed to get some sleep.
6/4/12 Monday Decision time this morning. Do we run offshore or travel the ICW and hope we hit the 4 bridges we need opened at the right time to avoid delays. A quick check of Passage Weather made the decision for us. ICW here we come. We had no trouble with any of the openings thanks to Tourists ability to run 29 miles an hour.
We pulled into Spooner Creek anchorage in time to get secured before a brief storm front passed through. Afterward the sun came out and the winds calmed down. Should be good night.
You guys are making good time. Nice photos too!
ReplyDelete