 After
the fourth day at BHI, we finally mustered the courage to
continue the voyage. It was rather warm so Toby and Ann donned
their shorts. We had an escort of dolphins to the sea buoy. The
wind was 8-10 knots (NW) so we decided to do some sailing. Not
for long, though. Whenever the wind gods see our sails raised,
they stop the wind. The Atlantic was nearly flat as sunset
approached. Oh, well. We should have a comfortable overnight trip
(and we did).
 We
were accompanied by two other sailboats on the horizon. None of
us were in a hurry to arrive at Charleston inlet before sunrise.
The memory of the sinking of the Morning Dew (with the loss of
all) on Charleston's breakwater was sobering. We paid particular
attention to the breakwaters!. Stayed a couple of nights at
Charleston City Marina. Dock hand helped us get scratch #1 on the
hull. He pulled when he should have pushed. When we tried to
leave, the engine linkage did not cooperate. We could not put the
transmission in gear. We spent most of the day fixing the linkage
(and we did).
 We
left Charleston and followed the ICW towards Beaufort SC. We had
a pleasant motor through the Low Country of SC and anchored off
the South Edisto River. By now the tidal range exceeded 7 feet
with tidal current often exceeding 3 knots. Our Bruce anchor was
equal to the challenge. The 15 fathoms of chain didn't hurt
either. The Low Country is dominated by saw grasses and the
occasional temperate hammocks. We were glad that we didn't bring
the dogs. No place for their 'potty' breaks.
 We
had a short trip to Beaufort SC from our anchorage. We timed our
arrival for the opening of the Ladies Island bridge. We tied up
at Beaufort Downtown Marina with expert assistance from their
staff. We got ourselves turned around on the pier so that we
would be pointing into the tidal current the next morning. Gee, I
wish I thought of that. We were sandwiched in pretty tight so it
was really good that we got turned around. Great marina. Lots of
tide (7.5. feet) and modest current.
 Beaufort
SC reminds us a lot of Beaufort NC; quainter though. Excellent
restaurants, too few booze stores and a total lack of cigars. We
survived though. Well, most of us survived. Toby had a bit too much
devil rum and was not up to lunch the next day. I guess the
Beauforts are not good to Toby. We found Beaufort to be quite
relaxing. So we decided to stay an extra day or two. Good thing
we did as we met some really neat people and their cat on
M/V Outbound. It turns out that we will see them many times
during Voyage 2000.
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