6/7/16           Thursday              Leland Oil Marine, McClellanville, SC


Charleston Harbor sucks! Again today (as last fall) the seas in the harbor were washing machine type. We left our lovely dock around 8:30  with wind but calm water. Then, wham! White caps and winds of 27 k. Kitty was wide-eyed, water jugs and cat food dishes went skidding. Luckily I'd put flower vase and coffee pot in the sink. Holy cow patty! All this chaos only lasted for 5 miles - 43.9 minutes in case anyone was counting. Then we turned into the ICW and calmness prevailed.

We approached the Ben Sawyer Memorial Swing Bridge, asking "permission to pass at your earliest convenience." "Just keep coming captain." I love it when the bridge tender calls me captain. "Yes ma'am."...........almost there, cars have stopped on the western side. "I'm sorry Grace. I have to delay the opening. The (traffic) gate won't close." uh oh. So we throttled back and started circling, were told that maintenance was coming to fix the gate. hmmm, see my eyes slide side to side, expecting this could take all day. So, move out of channel and set an anchor. On second try the anchor finally sets. "Alright Grace. You can proceed."  "Grace come on through." "Okay, Bridge, we're just hoisting the anchor." "Copy that"  So we went through the bridge around 10 am, nearly one hour later than planned. North, up the ICW...we're going north, the push is on - sung to North to Alaska tune.

All was well until we got to skinny, make that anorexic!!!  water. Now our boat, we discovered yesterday only draws 4'3". So, we're pretty relaxed at 12' of water, even 10'. We start paying closer attention, maybe even slow down when the depth reaches single digits. Current was really swift today, too, so I (at the helm) was being pretty cautious. At 6' both of us were paying rapt attention. Where is the "deepest" water? On the magenta line? to the east of the magenta line? the west? Is there anything even close to consistency??? Not that I noticed. The most shallow I saw was 5.3'.....  a good foot of water beneath our keel. What's the worry? The good news was that the turn into the creek of our dockage was only a mile away and the creek had been dredged. Made the turn and David said, "Good job, you can relax." "Not yet, I'm in 5' of water again. You can take over, please."

So, we're here at the dock. David changed the fuel filters so that and the oil and ATF change yesterday and we're good for another 200 hours of engine time.

my favorite mechanic where he spends most of his time

I walked to the shrimp store while he was finishing up. David gets a shower (not at the shrimp store). We took a short walk around a portion of this sweet, beautiful town. Mid-spring is upon us and it is luscious and beautiful.

Azaleas are full to passing

The cluster roses and wisteria are in full bloom. Gentle warm breeze (away from the water).

The cluster roses below are a pale yellow. Also blooming are some little lilies that I've not seen before.

Wisteria

I definitely have spring fever! Only want to watch things grow. Better get back on the water before I start weeding someone's yard.