St. Johns to B & B Shrimp, Green Pond, SC

Today:       44 miles        6.8 hours          ICW St M “512”

Total:      693 miles    113.6 hours

     We left at 8, with partly cloudy skies, cool temps and light breezes.  The sun didn’t remain for long.  The air became more raw as we traveled and the rains hit within 3 hours. Before they did, Pete went forward and placed plastic over the windless to prevent the leak.  For most of the trip we encountered bands of rain, which continued through the night, but NO leak!

He said, "No one's home."

     There was a dredge in the middle of the channel about ¾ of the way to B & B.  Pete called to the dredge to verify safe passage.  The response was “They are off. It’s a holiday (Veteran’s Day)!”  The dredge was marked with the black diamonds, so we had no problems passing on the correct side, but there was equipment down in the water and a person was babysitting the equipment.”  Hummm. . . .

A wide load approaching
 ODEN'S SPEAR

     Shortly after we passed the dredge, two more boats did the same.  When I looked back, I saw a smaller cruiser, MV ODEN’S SPEAR, looking to be surrounded by a 63’ catamaran, MV CUTE CAT.  It was rather amazing.  We had heard the two boats talking earlier.  Apparently, the catamaran was under new ownership and the crew bailed in Charleston, so he wanted to follow others along the ICW.  ODEN’S SPEAR could only take him as far as Mosquito Creek.

     We arrived at B & B to find ODEN’SPEAR also tied to the dock.  This is the first time that we have encountered another boat that we didn’t travel with.  I got his email so that I can send the photo of him and the cat once it is processed. There was supposed to be a 3^rd boat, but I guess they opted top either continue on to another marina or stay put until the rains clear tomorrow, because they never showed.

Erosion on the banks of Mosquito Creek

     When paying for the dockage, I also requested 4 pounds of shrimp.  When I cleaned them, it was closer to 7 pounds! Once cleaned and packaged into dinner serving sized packages, they went into the freezer.  Of course, one package didn’t make it.  Shrimp is what’s for dinner!  I had searched for new recipes last week and picked up the makings when I provisioned in St. John’s.  I apparently confused the ingredients from 2 recipes, so I modified the recipe to include everything.  The Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp also included baby spinach, fresh basil, asparagus tips, cherry tomatoes onion, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and half & half. Oh yea, salt, pepper, corn starch and Italian seasoning. Served over pasta, dinner was really good! 

     With the rains coming in waves, we needed to time Bailey’s walks, but managed to stay dry for the most part.

~  ~  ~  /) ~ ~ K & P