TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 50 NM
DOCKED AT: ST JOHNS YACHT HARBOR MILE MARKER 472.5 ($1.50 /FT W/P OVERALL WITH BOATUS DISCOUNT)
SUNRISE AT THE SANTEE RIVER, NC: 7:00 AM
SUNSET AT ST JOHNS YACHT HARBOR ON STONO RIVER: 5:00 PM
HIGH: 75
LOW: 45
After our night of interrupted sleep we were pulling up anchor by 7:00 and enjoying the morning skies and balmy temperatures. By 8:30 it was already 67 and rising.
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| THE MORNING SKIES AS WE LEAVE OUR SOUTH SANTEE RIVER ANCHORAGE |
Following the ICW through connecting rivers, cut canals, expansive bays and ocean inlets offers up a wide variety of experiences for us boaters. Not only are the waterways varied but the scenery along the way spans from derelict vessels to working dredges, from expansive marshes to expensive developments and an array of abundant wildlife on top of all that. Just think, all of it ours to marvel at and appreciate. How lucky are we?
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| HARD TIMES HERE |
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| THESE WORKERS ARE DRIVING PILINGS FOR THIS DOCK |
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| A GRANDIOSE WATERFRONT HOME |
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| GEESE AND CORMORANTS SCATTER AS QUEST APPROACHES |
Since the traveling was going so well we just scooted by our original destination, Isle of Palm, and waved as we passed by Charleston. We were making great time and the conditions were good. We happily sailed Wappoo Creek then came almost to a screeching halt entering the narrow Elliott Cut. Holy cow! Quest’s engines were churning out the RPMs that should have pushed us along at 10 knots but we were barely making 4.5 knots in the forceful ebbing tide. One sailboat trying to enter the cut before us had to throw in the towel and wait for the currents to moderate some.
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| THRIVING CHARLESTON HARBOR |
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| ENTERING THE NARROW, SWIFTLY EBBING ELLIOTT CUT |
At the junction of Elliott Cut and the Steno River I found my house. There were rivers on two sides, massive oak trees that offered shading from summer sun, an inviting porch encircling the hose, rocking chairs, dormers peeking out from the roof and lovely craftsman style pillars. I love it!
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| THIS COULD BE IT!!! |
Once on the Steno River we headed for St. Johns Marina to fuel up and, once again, seek shelter from the approaching storm. While fighting the swift current and maneuvering tight quarters in the approach to the fuel dock, the lack of sufficient power in the starboard engine and a peculiar slapping sound alerted us to the fact that we had wrapped something around our shaft. Always something! We now have a diver scheduled to remove the obstruction tomorrow morning.
While fueling, Flint on “Grace Full” introduced himself and reminded us that we had all been at the Eastern Shore Marina in Mobile Bay last November. He and Leslie later joined us on Quest for cocktails and lots of good stories while the rain storm settled upon us.
St. Johns Marina is one of those places that makes you really appreciate your BoatUS membership. The fuel was decently priced to begin with but discounted .05/gal for BoatUS and another .05 if you purchased over 300 gallons. No problem! They also discounted the dockage by 20% with your membership. Nice deal!
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