Voyage 2012: Chapter 4

29 Apr 2013, Two Days in Charleston at the Ashley, 32 46.932 N/ 079 57.522 W

We arrived at the Ashley by 1830 where we were greeted by two dock hands who tied Jule up at the North most T head. Perfect place to exit when we leave. Due to weather, we stayed here two days. Today, a strong front came through with lots of light and noise. Sammy was not happy. However, that morning we had a chance to walk to the historic district, do some provisioning, eat something at Bubba Gumps, and get picked up by the Ashley Martina staff as we did not want to walk back. The northerly winds will continue for at least the next 6-7 days so we will be forced on the inside. In our 17 years of cruising, we have never done the stretch between Charleston to Southport. I guess that record will be broken tomorrow

01 May 2013, Two Days to Osprey Marina, 33 11.682 N/ 079 16.542 W

We left Ashley just as the current started to flood allowing an easy exit. We paced ourselves for the 0900 opening at the Ben Sawyer bridge off of the Cooper River. The bridge tender was not responsive until a tug approached the collection of the three sailboats waiting. She jumped into action and the four of us passed through the bridge. That is when the fun started; really skinny water. So skinny that the tug went aground. He encouraged us to pass him with one whistle. We all passed him and then he freed himself. The rest of the day was rather uneventful. Weather was windy and is forecast to continue for the next 7 days. We anchored in 20 feet on the Minim Creek near Georgetown.