Feb 4, 2023 Toogoodoo Creek to Cowen Creek

 Sat, Feb 4 Toogoodoo Creek to Cowen Creek  51.4 miles

There are three significant shoal areas we passed through today so again timing the tide was critical and necessitated a dawn departure.  It was tough getting out of that nice warm bed on this 30-degree morning.  Wound up bookending the day with a pretty sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise over Toogoodoo Creek

Sunset over Cowen Creek

Shoal areas started right after leaving Toogoodoo (love saying that word!) as we went through Watts cut. Got to the worst spot just at high tide so a non-issue.  Next up was Fenwick cut - a short stretch that was another non-issue.  Final shoal area was the Ashepoo Coosaw Cut. Thankfully there was a good 5' of tide helping us through otherwise at low tide we would have been churning mud if not grounded.  We actually avoided this cut taking a longer alternate route during our trip north last year since we would have been coming through on a low falling tide.  Glad we were prudent about that decision.  The rest of our travel day was fairly uneventful other than making sure we got past the "Southern Rose" dragging a line of barges with dredging equipment.  Got around them just before the river narrows heading towards Beaufort.  Not too hard considering he was barely making 3 MPH.

Leaving the "Southern Rose" in our wake dragging a heavy load 

Zipped past Beaufort despite there being a long idle speed zone as we had a 1.5 kt current working in our favor.   Tucked into Cowen Creek  and dropped the hook at 1:00.  We've been enjoying doing these 50-60 miles days, leaving early, dropping the hook early, relaxing, napping, charting, etc. and then finally dinner, some TV and to bed early.   Back on Looper midnight time where we're in bed by 9!!

Journey for Feb. 4, 2023