We heard reports of the coming east coast storm and watched closely as its path and strength were forecast. Luckily, we were on the far SE portion of the disturbance and only received rain and mild winds the night of 1 Dec and moderate rain while traveling to Beaufort this morning. It was our first dreary and rainy day … cold as well. Only a few boats on the waterway. Leaving Steamboat Creek at 7:30 AM, we made the 47-mile trip to Beaufort by just after noon and moored at Ladies Island Marina, another favorite of ours.
Our trip today illustrates how the ICW is interconnected by man-made cuts to natural waterways. We left Steamboat Creek to join the Dawho River, then Watts Cut (man-made) to the South Edisto River, then the 1/4 mile Fenwick Cut (man-made) to the Ashepoo River, then the Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff (man-made) to the Coosaw River, and finally Brickyard Creek into Beaufort. Referring to the ICW as “the Ditch” is such a misnomer. It’s a wonderful collection of rivers, sounds, creeks and, yes, a few man-made connecting canals … most often paralleling the ocean’s coastline and skirting more small towns than large cities.
Had a great dinner at Dockside Dec 2nd, our second favorite restaurant with the same name. We’re spending two days here to replenish food and wine and then move just 2 miles on the other side of town to the city marina in downtown Beaufort for a day of sightseeing and relaxing in that Landmark Historic district. We’re enjoying the slower routine of this year’s travel. On the 3rd we used the courtesy car to shop along with other boaters Peter and Edie. He keeps his boat at Capital Yacht Club or in Key West and knows Peggy Saylor. A small world. After the shopping spree Carey and I dined at the local dive bar, Fillin! Station, that came highly recommended by the marina owner. Loved it!
The first two pictures show BenjOllie at her slip at Ladies Island Marina and the looks of a marina that has an 8-foot range of tide at its lowest level. The next one is a selfie of us at the dive bar. The next picture shows how the ICW wanders through the US east coast from Charleston to Hell’s Gate in Georga.
