01/14/08 ICW to Beaufort, SC

Up Anchor.....
Weather & Tides held us longer than we anticipated at Tom Creek, so early on Sunday, Jan 13, Bob hauled one anchor in an attempt to get underway only to re-anchor when the fog didn't lift. Monday morning came success! We motored out of the creek. Soon we're looking for marker #111 that marks the beginning of some serious shoaling. Waiting for a rising tide kept us in good water as we made it safely around White Point and through the shoaling curves to #119. The course along this section doesn't run from buoy to buoy or follow the curves, instead it's a series of jogs, occasionally with a range to help you keep safe. The temp was around 40 as the wind picked up with gusts 18-20kts. Being in the open Bob began to shiver so I took the helm while he put on long johns and warmer gear. I nervously took us under the bridge and kept us in good water till Bob reappeared. We continued thru Watts Cut and into the South Edisto River. However he never warmed up, so we anchored in a spot near Alligator Creek (yes there seems to be lots of those). We had left early that morning without breakfast (probably part of the problem). I cooked something to warm us and we spent the rest of the day enjoying where we were and keeping warm.

The next day was a late start waiting for a rising 1/2 tide in what is reported to be the most treacherous part (shoaling/depth wise) of the ICW, the 2nd section of the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff. We stayed in good water all the way, and with a sigh of relief entered the Coosaw River only to find we now had strong winds on our nose with spray over the bow frequently dousing Bob. Hakuna Matata is smaller and lower to the water than many of the boats and with no cockpit cover, we decided we were not into this type of trip for the next 12 miles and decided to turn around. Yes...we got to do the most treacherous section again realizing we would get to do it again tomorrow. Oh well, we were getting pretty familiar with the section and had great respect for it but the fear was gone...at least it would be warmer and dry.

Under the watchful eye of an eagle we made our way up Rock Creek around a couple of bends checking the water depth till we determined the best spot to anchor. A fairly strong current so it was a 2 anchor drill again. Dolphins once more visited us.


Hey where did that island come from?

At low tide, islands & shoals are clearly visible only to disappear as the tide rises. They constantly remind you to be cautious when navigating the ICW as there are endless accounts of going aground in areas that should have water or waking in the middle of the night at your anchorage aground with your boat laying on it's side. This is nothing we want to do, so we are cautious, trying not to add one of those accounts in our log.


The next day we make our 3rd trip thru the cutoff, but this time we enter a much more welcoming Coosaw River, sail around Brickyard Point, and on to Beaufort where we docked just as rain began to fall.


The next day we did the grocery, laundry and chores in a downpour looking forward to strolling the streets of Beaufort the next day.

WELCOME TO BEAUFORT, SC

Walkway along harbor
Lady Island Swing BridgeSwinging Couple
park along waterfront
with blooming flowers
Across the street is the 1st of many beautiful houses/mansions
A courting bench along the shore
Beautiful Trees with Spanish Moss
Large houses most with porches
and Porch Swings
Huge Angel Oaks with branches spread out and down...
sometimes to the ground.
The ones overhanging the road can present a devil of a problem.
If you are a BIG CHILL fan you may recognize this house.


A couple on the job

Legend of the Spanish Moss says that Gorez Goz, a bearded Spanish villain, journeyed to Carolina shores and spied a beautiful Indian maid. He bought her for a yard of braid and a little bar of soap. The Indian maid was so afraid of this bearded beast that she fled over the hill and glade with him in pursuit. Tiring she climbed to the top of the tree, with the Spaniard close behind. She dove from the tree to the stream below. The villain's beard and whiskers became entangled in the branches holding him back while she got away. Gorez Goz's life was at a loss, but his beard lives on as dangling Spanish Moss.

Not all the houses are white....
Along the waterfront are some of the largest mansions.
The trees are as stately as the homes.
Of course the streets also led to downtown and some wonderful shops and restaurants to help us keep up our energy as we returned several times to wander the streets of Beaufort, SC.
Hakuna Matata