Day 8 - Beaufort, SC to Charleston, SC

Day 8 April 24

I've enlarged the map for those who couldn't read it. Hopefully this helps.

It was another early start.

Lots of docks in front of homes on this run.

 Paul talk- "Good planning (for once) and being pushy with the dockmaster meant that getting out of the Beaufort City marina was a simple matter of disconnecting and letting the tidal current carry us away from the dock.  Yay, after the bumper boat episode yesterday!

Along the way, after having zero adventure in one of the known shallow spots, ahead of us we had a boat that we had been following, another which had passed us earlier and a sailboat we were all catching.  Rounding a corner, we saw the whole mob stopped along with a small boat with blue flashing lights.  Before we could catch up to them, the travelers moved along, leaving the small boat.  I just knew we would be the next victim for whoever these guys were.

Sure enough, as we got closer, the blue lights came on.  Aside from the blue lights, there were absolutely no markings on this boat and there were three guys in olive drab and gun belts with no discernable decoration.

I went aft to see what was what.  When they approached, I simply asked "Who are you?"  After all, pirates had been haunting these waters since the late 1600s!  After recovering from my little challenge, they allowed as how they were South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.  One came aboard and checked the ship's papers and radioed in our ID information, asked some cursory questions about safety equipment.  We, in turn asked if they happened to have any donuts for us.  Nope.

So much for that."

We are still in swamp land. Check out the length of these docks.

These pilings and boat were in the middle of the waterway. 

Things that make you go- Hmmmmm?

This the boat - America's Waterways Wind Orchestra? Who knew. While this boat is no longer being used there are several others traveling the world entertaining folk. Click here for more info.

Working people and lots of equipment.

More long docks in front of beautiful homes.

Some of these long docks did NOT have rails. Don't try walking them drunk.

Not everyone has successful runs. We see boats grounded along the way. They are abandoned, right down to grinding away hull numbers and ID. Now they are  waiting for "someone" to pay for their expensive removal process.

Notice the color of the water. Lots of tannin. Tannins are natural organic materials that can cause water to have a yellow or amber color, and can also have a musty odor and a tangy aftertaste. We haven't noticed any smells. 

This picture was taken from the port (left) side of the boat. The next one was immediately taken from the starboard (right) side of the boat. I wanted to give you an idea of how narrow the waterway is in places.  This narrow stretch is called Elliot Cut, which connects the Stono River to the Ashley River and Charleston harbor.  With each tide the current can really race through here.  With the current pushing us, our usual 8 knot speed was pushed up to a peak of 12.2 knots. Woo Hoo!  Imagine if the current had been foul!  We would have been creeping along at only 4 knots.

This is the straight ahead view.

Final bridge for the day.

Our home for the next two night is the MEGADOCK in Charleston. Previously named ‘Marina of the Year’ by Marina Dockage magazine, Safe Harbor Charleston City is home to the famed MEGADOCK which hosts some of the most prestigious yachts in the world. Notice how they moved the riff-raff out of the way to make room for Snow Goose.

After tying up at the Megadock we were picked up by Paul's friends, Geoff and Deb. We enjoyed a delicious Bar-B-Q dinner, enlightening conversation and a drive-by tour of Charleston. Thanks Geoff & Deb.

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