OUR FINAL DAY ON THE WATER IN 2012

DECEMBER 31, 2012

SUNSET ON THE ICW

The final day of the year.  We anchored last night just off the ICW  in 13 ft. of water.  The air was still at sunset & the water smooth.  It got cold very fast as it got dark.  As millions of stars became visible we went below for a warm bowl of soup & a chat about our first day out on the water.  We had traveled 35 miles from Charleston in variable winds & some very shallow water.  The ICW takes a lot of patience when the tide is low.




NEW WAY TO POWER A SAILBOAT

We were up early only to find a thin coat of ice & frost on the deck.  It was time to wait for a little sunshine & a cup of coffee.  As it neared 8AM Rod began to ready the boat for pulling the anchor.  After cleaning the filters & wiping the condensation off the enclosure, the anchor came up at 8:20AM.  It is a beautiful day, sunny with a few thin clouds as we head into the winding channel through islands & open spaces.  The dolphin, pelicans & birds are out to greet us as we move through the quiet morning mist.

As the sun rose higher in the sky we were passed by Emerald Cut, a 41 foot sailing vessel heading south.  Last night he spent the night not far from us stuck in the mud in a section of water that we carefully picked our way through showing 6ft under our 5 ½ ft. keel.  Emerald Cut draws 7ft.  He is heading for Beaufort, SC for provisions.  We are both pondering whether to go outside & test the weather forecast for offshore.   The ICW is so tedious it is hard on the nerves & the attitude.

We passed under the Ladies Island Bridge at 2PM in Beaufort.  In the very first marina we came to, Emerald Cut sat at anchor as we moved a little further South.   The water here around Beaufort is full of dolphin.  We saw many groups feasting on whatever is growing in the channel.   As we anchored just past Beaufort, 2 adult dolphins & a small young dolphin kept us company.

After a dinner of grilled chicken, fresh squash & a garden salad we are going to turn in early.  We are planning an early start tomorrow in order to move with the tides instead of against.  We hope to get far past Savannah to anchor for the night, the first day of 2013.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!  Hope to see you soon, out there on the water.