The Carolinas

The confederate jasmine is blooming profusely in Beaufort, S.C. The sweet smell is almost intoxicating. The hydrangeas are loaded with blooms in the neighborhood by the marina where we walked. We borrowed the courtesy truck to run some errands. Carl got a hair cut and I had a pedicure. We always meet nice people here and this year is no exception. Friday night was a potluck dinner at the marina. We joined about a dozen people gathered on the deck. Most were people who live in the houses surrounding the marina. Someone caught a Wahoo and cooked it on the grill. It’ was delicious! We had a great time. The people here are so warm and friendly.

4/27

We left Port Royal Landing marina at 7:50 a.m. It was 56 this morning. The skies are Carolina blue and the sun is warming us. We are traveling behind M/V Sea Venture, a couple that we met in Marsh Harbour. While we wait for an opening at Lady Island Bridge, Sea Venture has gone under the bridge and out of sight. This is one of a few swing bridges left. A piece of history. They are being replace by 65’ fixed bridges. In the afternoon, we were surprised by a small cruise ship, American Star, passed us going south. We arrived at St. John’s Yacht Harbour near Charleston at 5:30 p.m. We covered 65 miles today. The wind was blowing 20 knots. We bounced around on the end of the dock until after dark. This marina has beautiful facilities and a salt water swimming pool.

4/27

We decided on a departure time of 10 a.m.,after Carl did some calculations with tides and bridges. It was Saturday and as we crossed Charleston Harbor, we watched a regatta and then we saw a “parade” of eight shrimp boats. The shrimp boats were loaded with people and all decked out with flags. We heard on the radio that they were going to a “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony in Charleston. From Charleston, we traveled 52 miles to a beautiful anchorage on the South Santee River. The winds had picked up again to around 25 knots. We were anchored by 5:30. Once again the winds died down as night fell.