I noticed he crossed behind us fairly close to our stern, then turned into our wake. Jerry yelled out if he wanted us to go faster or slower, he wanted faster. So off we went for about a mile and a half. It was very cool.
He crossed back to the other side of our stern before he waved us on.
The next stretch was lined with houses on both sides. The starboard (right) side were upscale homes and the port side were not.
The owners of the houses above can't be happy looking across the river at this. We only did 36 miles today. Anchored at Awendaw Creek, mile marker 435.7.
Monday we were off a little earlier than yesterday. A couple of hours into the morning run, we were inundated with black flies. We were swatting them left and right. If we went faster, the flys weren't as bothersome.
All the docks along this waterway were forever long. Gotta pack a lunch to get to the boat.Today was a really neat day. We stopped at Georgetown, SC for lunch. There is a free dock downtown. There were a couple of guys at the dock that helped us tie up. We walked a couple of blocks along the main street where all the shops and restaurants were located.
Historically, Georgetown's claim to fame was rice. By 1840, Georgetown County produced nearly half of the total rice crop of the US and became the largest rice-exporting port in the world. Some plantations still exist. We didn't make it much past the waterfront. Had a nice lunch and walk, then back on the boat traveling on to our anchorage at Butler Island.
Tuesday, was a planned short travel day. In about 25 miles we would hit what is referred to as "the ditch". It's long and narrow, about 30 miles, with no opportunity to anchor along the way. This was an example of the shoreline today, very swampy.
We saw this Osprey nest. Jerry also noticed one of the Osprey chasing a Hawk away from the nest.
This was incredibly beautiful scenery today. The bends in the river, the water still, the tree lined shores, I was taken in by it all.
This looks to be a swamp tour boat. Fast and loud.
Our friends on Emerald Lady emailed that we should go through Prince Creek to see alligators. Jerry told them we had yet to see an alligator from the boat. Some of the sites in Prince Creek.
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| Entering Prince Creek |
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| First alligator sited from Wind Song, finally |
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| Peaceful cruising |
This house is towards the end of Prince Creek. I don't think I'd want to have to check for alligators before going outside. Too close to nature for me.Out of Prince Creek and on our way to our anchorage. It was highly rated on Active Captain, a website we use for marina reviews as well as anchorages and any nav alerts, so were hopeful we could get in. As we approached, we saw a sailboat close to the entrance. We slid past him and there were two other sailboats already anchored. We decided it was too close for comfort so called Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC, to see if we could stay there for the night. They found a place for us but it was close quarters.
We stirred up a little mud coming around the trawler on the end. Once again, Capt. Jerry did an excellent job of docking. What a man! This was a really great marina. Friendly folks, both staff and boaters. Before supper, we got the dinghy down and took an evening cruise. Just oars on the dinghy for now.Wednesday, it was definitely easier to get out than it was to get into Osprey Marina but so glad they made room for us. We take off about 10am. The Socastee Bridge at Mile 370.9 is a swing bridge. Skipper Bob, our waterway bible, warns that the operator prefers that boats pass through in groups with openings no closer than 15 minutes apart. True to form, we end up waiting about 20 minutes for another boat to arrive before the bridge opens. I hate this part because the area around bridge, is usually close and if there is any wind at all we get blown one way and then the other. Our boat will not sit still so it's back and forth, in and out of neutral, trying to keep the boat away from shore.
The next section of the ICW was nicknamed "Rockpile", miles 349 to 353. Cautions from every waterway guide we own as well as the Dockmaster at Osprey. Stay in the center of the channel to avoid rocky outcroppings. And check for large on-coming vessels before going through. OMG! This sounded scary. We were lucky. No on-coming boats were encountered. Jerry and I decided that if we did meet someone, especially a tug, we'd do a 180 and go back. The issue was alot to do with not knowing what was under the water. You could see the rocks along the shore but how far out did it come and what kind of water levels did we have.
The outcropping may look like dirt but it is jagged rock. Just read this on a cruiser forum: "we moved over just a few feet for an oncoming boat, rock took out starboard prop and rudder. Four foot draft boat, estimating rock was 3 feet under, tide was low". Geez
We were through the Rockpile
It didn't look like he would make it under the 65' bridge.
Finally, we made it to our anchorage at Calabash Creek, mile 341.7. Only traveled 32 miles today, but we were on edge most of the way through. Dropped 2 anchors today as forecast predicts storms.
Thursday, overcast morning. Storms never materialized, not even rain. We crossed into North Carolina, no signs just see it on the chart.
I thought this was an interesting shot with the boats high above the trees.
This is a close-up of the same place
These boats, especially the ones on the top deck, looked rather precariously placed. I'd say we had close to 20 miles of houses, mobile homes and boat docks along this stretch.
This is a canal off the ICW
Mobile homes that went on and on.
As we cruised past Southport, NC, the GPS shows a substantial current against us.
The GPS speed is 4.5mph and the water speed is 8.7mph. We really like it the other way around but haven't seen that yet.We anchored at Carolina Beach, mile marker 295.1 between 2 small islands surrounded by homes. It was a quiet evening. A couple of other boats came in later and anchored close by.
Friday started off overcast then later in the afternoon it cleared off and was sunny. We had 4 bridges to pass today. The scenery is a little different now. The water color is more blue/green, much better than muddy brown that we've been in recently.
Flamingo pink. I guess the neighbors won't complain. There isn't anyone too close to complain.
One of Camp Lejeune's artillery ranges is along our route. They post signs stating that we could be detained if an exercise is in progress. We got through no issue. Just talked to loopers that stayed at Mile Hammoc Bay, an anchorage at the beginning of this canal. Said they watched military exercises throughout the evening. Another boater headed out in the morning and were told to kick it up to get out of the canal as exercises were about to commence. 
Saw several Egrets along the shoreline. Not grouped together but 1 every couple of hundred feet or so. I probably saw a dozen along this stretch. We pulled into Dudley's Marina about 4:30 this afternoon. Not much to look at but it's close to town and they have a courtesy car. We got tied up and checked in then walked to town. Dinner was at the Icehouse. It was an OK place. Walked around the waterfront before heading back to the boat. I saw a jellyfish by the dock. First one I've seen since the west coast of Florida, I think.
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