April 12-13, 2023 Marine Propulsion to Dewees Creek to Georgetown

 Wed April 12, 2023  Marine Propulsion to Dewees Creek

Waited until 10:30 before leaving out this morning.  Wanted to catch a bit of rising tide and needed to settle up the bill at the office.  Here's a very rare experience.  The repair bill came in well below what I was expecting.  First time I've had that happen with any work done on any of our boats.  Just another testament to why we like working with Anthony and his team at Marine Propulsion. 

Once on the water we were through very familiar territory around Wadmalaw and Johns Island. Stephens Towing has finished the expansion of their yard and continue to work on bigger and bigger commercial boats.  New docks and a high stack boat storage facility going in either at or next to Ross's Marine. On to Elliott Cut just past high tide.  Plenty of water but still some current ripping against us.  Tow coming down the chute as we approached. At least it was just the tow and not pushing any barges. Good judgement had us waiting until he was through. 

Bigger commercial boats being serviced at Stephens Towing

Meeting a tow head on at Elliotts Cut

Charleston harbor had a little breeze but no significant wave action.  We have been fortunate this entire trip regarding open water passages.  No wave action of concern crossing any of the open sounds.  Last possible concern of the day was passing through Isle of Palms.   Several shoaling areas but high tide gave us sufficient water.    Anchored in Dewees Creek.  Nice wide anchorage. Plenty of swing room which is needed since water is a bit deeper.  Multiple places to drop a hook so room for plenty of boats. Very exposed so not a good choice in severe weather but OK for tonight.  InQuest and Legacy at anchor having arrived earlier. No Rush docked at IOP.   We're all part of the Looper Fleet of 2019 and will meet up in Georgetown. 

Coast Guard busy checking out these boaters as we pass Charleston

Fort Sumter protecting the entrance to Charleston Harbor

Sunset over Dewees Creek

Journey for April 12, 2023

Thurs.  April 13, 2023

Sunrise over Dewees Creek almost as awesome as the sunset

Six hour cruise up to Georgetown.  The others all got an early start.  We finally hauled the anchor about 9:30. Our logic was to catch McClellenville shoaling areas around noon on the rising tide. Lots of marshland today.  Had a few bug episodes with big flies.  Not all day - we would just pass areas with them.  Could tell when we were about to hit an infested area when a flock of swallows showed up ahead of us zipping back and forth across the ICW.   Doing their thing and reducing the fly population.  Dumb flies - really easy to hit with the swatter.  Positive side of the trip - lots of dolphins.

Got to Georgetown and anchored in the back between InQuest and No Rush.  Docktails  and a tour from Jamie and Trish on No Rush.  It's a Dettling 51 and quite impressive. Very livable with classic old school styling.  Very different from the Meridian they looped on. Then dinner out.  Of course, we hit Winyah Bay Brewery. Great to catch up with Jamie, Trish, Russ and Jax discussing memories of our loop and this year's travel plans.  Realized that all of us had bought new (bigger) boats since doing the loop. And everyone had changed their boat name except us. 

Jamie and Trish's new boat No Rush - a Dettling 52

Our Gang reliving good times
Martha, Jax, Russ, Jamie, Trish, John

Rained overnight but cleared up early and turned into a stellar day. Georgetown crawling with loopers.  Saw Lake Effect at the marina.  We initially met them during our stay at Albemarle Plantation last fall and knew they spent the winter here.  Not on board so we left our boatcard. Spent the day with Jamie and Trish in town - checking out the museums and shops and walking the live oak tree lined neighborhoods. Then a late lunch, some ice cream and a visit to Indigo Bakery for some treats for tomorrow's breakfast. 

Journey for April 13, 2023