Beautiful, but Disappointing Day

    As planned, we dropped lines at Georgetown Landing Marina at 6:45 AM.  Thankfully, the flood tide is much more gentle than the ebb and we were able to slip out between the 130 foot MV LUCKY SEVEN on our bow and the 80 foot MV ENTERTAINER at our aft without any excitement.

Ripples from a small boat reflect the coming dawn

          

Exiting the ICW

     The sky to the east was just a few shades lighter than dark as we resumed out trek south. We were passed by a number of small and large fishing boats heading out to the ocean. The sun made its appearance before we made the turn into the Estherville Minim Creek Canal.  Thankfully, a tug and barge exited as we approached the canal.  It would have been very tight quarters had we met in the canal.

An eagle in the pines

Marshes 

Chanel marker and fire watch tower
near Estherville

  
    It was just past high tide as we traveled through the Romain National Wildlife Refuge.   It is primarily open marshes dotted with small islands of scrub and winding creeks.  Along with the barn swallows, gulls, cormorants, I spotted eagles and hawks, egrets, great blue herons and a few king fishers.

Debris from falling storm surge

Missing floating dock and
tree stump on walkway

      Our plan to make McClellanville by 10 was delayed an hour as we were bucking the current since Winyah Bay. We passed those newly noted skinny spots a foot below high.  There is no way we would have made it through at low. Factoring in the tidal drop, the report of 4 foot at mean low water is fairly accurate. Some of the docks still had the debris from the receding waters of Matthew.

Civilization near Awendaw

    The weather is wonderful; highs in the low 80s and gentle winds from the SSW.  It is also Sunday.  The boat ramp just south of Awendaw was a hive of activity. So was the various rivers and tributaries leading to the ocean. We passed a couple of dolphins and were entertained by an eagle sitting on a dock rail ripping apart paper and a group of pelicans diving for fish in shallow waters. Their close quarter maneuvers just prior to the dive were remarkable.

Diving in for food

Synchronized Diving

Hard aground

      Our fight against the currents continued. In the Price Creek area, around Green 89, skinny water was reported and we are almost at dead low.  Luckily, we had just over 2 foot of water below our 5.5 keel.  The low water didn’t seem to bother the dolphins who swam by our boat.  However, one of the crazy Sunday boaters, cut across our bow within less than 10 foot clearance came to an abrupt stop about 200 yards away, at the entrance to a shallow creek.  He pulled a long black pole from his boat and used it to maneuver into deeper waters.  We later saw a boat use the pole as an anchor in the mudflats…strange anchor!

Still in hurricane mode

Dolphin paying a visit

      The beautiful lowlands just above the Palm Coast were always picturesque in our previous travels. We now know that we passed through here at mid- to high tide.  Today, it is so low, the mudflats and mussel beds are exposed and we can’t see over the white gravel line berms to the rest of the marsh.  A little further down, we came to the conclusions that realtors wanting to sell property on the Palm Coast, must make sure that it is mid tide or higher before the showing.  Seeing the dock pilings and floating docks sitting on the mud is not pretty!   I did see a small shark battling something in the shallows.

Returning home with catch. . .  and groupies!

      Our traveling buddy boats today, SV PROVIDENCE, is a 42 Jeanneau with 6-foot draft.  Following him made it easier to keep to the deeper water. We throttled down to idle once we entered the Palm Coast.  We had 50 minutes until The Ben Sawyer Bridge would open.  “Dancing” in the wind and current waiting for the bridge opening was a challenge.   Transiting the bridge was “interesting .AS the bridge began to swing open, PROVIDENCE started to enter with us right behind her.  Out of nowhere, a motor cat by on our starboard. Pete thought he might be trying to slip to the outside of the bridge passage channel.  No, he cut us off as he cut in; never saying a word.  The 75 foot Sport Fish waiting to traverse north, started to quote nave rules about wind and current and his right of way.  Pete pointed out to him that we had the current, and the rule applies to western waters.  As we traveled though Charleston Harbor, PROVIDENCE and we discussed the craziness.  Pete said, “he had nothing to complain about.  He had 3000 horse power and bow thrusters!”

YEP! It's accurate!

      We had another half hour wait for the 5:30 opening Wappoo Creek Bridge.   Remember, today is Sunday. . . more small boats waiting for their chance at the boat ramp just before the bridge while we dance in the current and wind. Now, we were getting nervous.  We have reservations at St. John’s Marina and they close at 6. There are more miles to cover than we can usually do in a half hour.  For once today, the current gods smiled upon us.  We traveled through Elliott Cut during the race tide.  Pete was able to document our 11 MPH!!!  A new speed record for PEKABU!

      We pulled into St. John’s Marina at 6:05 and the dockhand was there waiting.  With limited fairway space, unknown dock assignment AND the heavy currents, there was no way we could have docked ourselves with confidence. He definitely earned a good tip! 

     We will be here for 8 days.  We needed a good place to dock PEKABU and rent a car so we can drive to Florida for a wedding this weekend. “E” is the dock master and she is great to work with as we discovered last year.  The marina had suffered damage to 3 docks due to a microburst that occurred right above the marina this past July.  They hadn’t completed the repairs from that when the 8-foot storm surge and 83 mph winds arrived from Matthew.  Repairs are ongoing. The marina is almost at capacity due to damage to other marinas in the area. AND…the small bridge that connects the main parking lot of the marina from the road is still out of service so liveaboards, transients and staff have to hike to get out of the marina to the cars. There are a lot of bikes secured to the railings at the parking area and the top of the boardwalk to the docks.

     We’ll continue our journey next week. Hopefully, this magnificent weather also continues with our travels.  

~ ~ ~ /) ~~  K & P                                                

Great and Ever Changing Scenery

       Bailey was walked and lines cast by 7:45 this morning. 

     The lighting is great at this time of the day. Top that off with being in a beautiful area, and I opted to wait to prepare breakfast for a while and enjoy the beauty. From wooded areas and golfing greens, new homes, condominiums and mansions, from smaller river homes and fishing shacks to forests of old trees, cedars and pines, to marshes; the sights are ever changing and interesting.

Departing The Landing Marina, western side, at sunrise

Sunrise over Barefoot Landing Marina, eastern side of ICW

View heading south from Mytle Beach

Cool reflections

Some of the mansions

More graffitt; colleges nearby?

high water mark remaining on the fencing

   Once past the Socrates Bridge, the high-water marks on fencing and vegetation were dramatic. So was the property damage! The water is still high, but the flood water was another 5-6 feet.  One house that had a “For Sale” sign on its damaged dock and also had about and 18-inch water mark on the house.  A small boat from the Coast Guard was patrolling this area, and a notice to mariners is being broadcast informing all of the 6-mph speed limit now enforce due to the damage and remaining high water.

Damage in Myrtle Beach

More damage from Matthew

Debris ontop

    We were lone travelers until we passed Osprey Marina, where two trawlers joined the south bound trek.
      A little further down on the Waccamaw River, I spotted periodic, large splashing in the water near the tree line. I thought: “big fish;” Pete thought: “alligator” as they were reported in the area on Active Captain. That’s a pretty good reason not to swim in this area!

Water Lily floating free

         We again discussed tomorrow's options. Do an outside jump from Georgetown to Charleston; an 84 mile /12-hour day, or doing the ICW for 74 mile /11 hour day depending on the timing of the tides in McClellanville? If we leave Georgetown at 6:30, we will be in McClellanville around 9:30 or 10 depending on currents.  After checking the tides numerous times, we verified that it will be the middle of the ebb tide, giving us plenty of water to pass through.  We love the scenery between Myrtle Beach and Charlestown and would hate to bypass it.

Yep, 9.3 mph!

   

Current though the marina

  As we continued down the Waccamaw River, the current continued to increase.  We were cruising at 9.3m/h for a while.  The negative of this strong current comes into play when we need to dock in Georgetown with that 2.5-knot current against us.  We arrived at the marina around 3.  There were 3 big boats already docked.  We are now docked behind the biggest (around 130 foot).  This is the first time we have encountered a dockhand, who really didn’t know what he was doing.  In this current, he only looped the forward line around the bits, then did the same with the aft line. Of course, we started to be pulled away from the dock then he had to scurry and haul us back. 

       Pete enjoyed taking time to read while I tried to get the blog ready. I had to get a new computer this summer.  We transferred my Light Room and Photoshop, but it took some finessing to make it work under Windows 10.  I thought all was resolved, but the Photoshop has reverted to tiny lettering, but more importantly, many of the functions, including my favorite: dodge & burn and the stamping tool don’t work.  When we return to Delaware I plan to meet with the Photo Guru at the Windows store to see if he can figure it out.

       It will be another early night for us as we need an early wake up in the morning.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P

How Low Does It Go?

Bailey and the sunrise
over the ocean

SV SEABIRD at sunrise

     We left the mooring field by 7:45, waving good-by to the other 3 boats.  PEKABU will be heading down to Myrtle Beach, while the other 3 boats are doing a short day to Kings Plantation.


  Passing through Snow’s Cut was at low tide.  As we passed under the bridge, Pete checked the day boards. There was a foot difference between the eastern and western boards.  That meant we were actually traveling up hill on the water! Pete guestimates that there was a 3-foot height difference between the east and west end of the Cut. We saw birds sitting on some of the rock shelf showing in the Cut. 

Snow's Cut

Snow's Cut unmarked rocky ledge

     We spent the morning dealing with ever changing currents and speeds. The further south the more damage to docks we see. We passed a number of sunken boats, some old and some new.
    

Matthew's calling cards

    

     Pete and his partner, George, decided to handle the important stuff this morning, but take time to chill after yesterday's craziness.  Pete considers his chillin’ is helm time.   He enjoys his time at the helm. With the way today played out, as much as I enjoy my helm time, I was ok with not being at the wheel.
 

just north of  Lockwoods Folly

Mud Flats

    Today, we hit all the trouble spots at low tide!!!
     We approached Lockwoods Folly Inlet around 11:30. It was remarkable to see just how low, low tide can be!  Pilings totally out of the water, floating docks sitting on the mud, and plenty of mud and sand flats. We even saw the top of crab post that usually sit in 10+ feet of water.  We joined a fleet of fisherman in small boats in the inlet.  The new markers were very close together and wound around a bit, but taking it slow, we had deep water all the way through.

Hard aground in Shallots Inlet

    For the rest of the day, we seemed to time our travels perfectly with all the low tides.  As we entered the Shallotte Inlet, TowBoat US was trying to assist one of the two 40+boats hard aground. He instructed Pete on how to stay in the channel and pass him. Unfortunately, we ran hard aground and were momentarily unable to power off.  TowBoat offered to help if Pete set up a bridal for the bow.  As Pete went forward, his weight helped the boat to tip forward, relieving some of the pressure on the rudder.  He stayed forward as I increased forward speed and passing small boats created waves.  Once floating again, directions were given again and we made it through the inlet.  As it was almost low, the tide would not be up high enough for another few hours to float those bigger boats off.

            Low tide stayed with us even as we went through the notorious Rock Pile in Myrtle Beach. The rocks were showing in all their glory.  I managed to get some pretty good documentation.

1st golf course 

Passing Mile # 310

        

Fishing fleet

The Rock Pile

The Rock Pile

       

Scuff marks from Matthew

    We stopped at The Landing Marina, on the western side, for the night in Myrtle Beach.  We topped off the fuel, then went and enjoyed dinner up at the bar.  Pete has been suffering hamburger withdrawal.

   Once back, we discussed again our options for heading to Charlestown.   Our concern is McClellanville. The mean low water in spots has been reported at 4 foot.  We love traveling that area, but is it doable? On our way to Georgetown tomorrow, we continue our research and decide.

     First thing in the morning and last thing at night, I have to remove Bailey’s “peasant cap,” give a really long ear rub, and apply the Neosporin to her ears, before putting the “cap” back in place. We're finally winning the battle of the ears. The sores are healing and redness is gone. Now, we are waiting for the swelling of the cartilage to subside. She'll be wearing the “No Flap Ear Wrap” (the cap) until it does so that she doesn't reinjure the ears...and we have to start the process all over.

Myrtle Beach sunset on the ICW

     Another day of clear skies, gentle breezes and temp in the 70s. No complaints here!
Well, perhaps the fresh air poisoning again.  Good night!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~      K & P