ICW Cruisng!
At this juncture, we decided it was time to see the ICW, so
we headed off for the 15 mile journey to Beaufort, SC. ICW
cruising is mostly motoring, and depending on the wind and
and the current, can go quickly or drag on for hours.
Houses and docks line the ICW, making it a very scenic
ride. It is also very narrow and shallow in places and you
must pay close attention to the channel markers. We
arrived at Port Royal Marina in Beaufort around 2:30pm
and were met by it’s very capable staff who helped us dock
easily. We borrowed their courtesy truck and spent several
hours in downtown Beaufort and picked up groceries on the
way back.
Port Royal Marina is an outstanding facility. The staff is
friendly and the facilities were the best we had
encountered. The Back Porch Grill next door makes a
great hamburger and we took advantage of their happy
hour.
We made the 9:00 am bridge opening out of Beaufort the
next day and headed on towards Charleston. We knew we
would not make it that day, so we had an anchorage area
marked on the chart. We were just beginning to relax and
enjoy ourselves, when we came to an abrupt halt in a very
shallow creek area. Yes, we had run aground, which is quite
common on the ICW, we understand. Thanks to our
experience in Marathon, we did not panic. Realizing we
were at low tide, I checked the tide tables and knew the tide
would be coming in soon. We had lunch, then tried the
same strategies as before and in two hours we were on our
way again.
Tom’s Point Creek was a beautiful spot to anchor. We put
out two anchors just to be on the safe side and grilled some
pork chops and had a nice dinner. A storm awoke us in the
night and we were glad about the extra anchor.
We both slept well and awoke ready to face the day. After
taking Aggie ashore, John headed out in the dinghy to pick
up the 2nd anchor. Unfortunately, his trip line was nowhere
to be seen so he was unable to pull the anchor with the
dinghy. Frustrated, but with a plan, he tied off the dinghy
and swam back to the boat. We raised the big anchor
without any problems, then grabbed the dinghy with the
boat hook. We used Tee Time to pull up the second
anchor and we were underway again. All this took two
hours, but we made it to Charleston by 4:00 pm and docked
roughly, but safely, at the City Dock.
we headed off for the 15 mile journey to Beaufort, SC. ICW
cruising is mostly motoring, and depending on the wind and
and the current, can go quickly or drag on for hours.
Houses and docks line the ICW, making it a very scenic
ride. It is also very narrow and shallow in places and you
must pay close attention to the channel markers. We
arrived at Port Royal Marina in Beaufort around 2:30pm
and were met by it’s very capable staff who helped us dock
easily. We borrowed their courtesy truck and spent several
hours in downtown Beaufort and picked up groceries on the
way back.
Port Royal Marina is an outstanding facility. The staff is
friendly and the facilities were the best we had
encountered. The Back Porch Grill next door makes a
great hamburger and we took advantage of their happy
hour.
We made the 9:00 am bridge opening out of Beaufort the
next day and headed on towards Charleston. We knew we
would not make it that day, so we had an anchorage area
marked on the chart. We were just beginning to relax and
enjoy ourselves, when we came to an abrupt halt in a very
shallow creek area. Yes, we had run aground, which is quite
common on the ICW, we understand. Thanks to our
experience in Marathon, we did not panic. Realizing we
were at low tide, I checked the tide tables and knew the tide
would be coming in soon. We had lunch, then tried the
same strategies as before and in two hours we were on our
way again.
Tom’s Point Creek was a beautiful spot to anchor. We put
out two anchors just to be on the safe side and grilled some
pork chops and had a nice dinner. A storm awoke us in the
night and we were glad about the extra anchor.
We both slept well and awoke ready to face the day. After
taking Aggie ashore, John headed out in the dinghy to pick
up the 2nd anchor. Unfortunately, his trip line was nowhere
to be seen so he was unable to pull the anchor with the
dinghy. Frustrated, but with a plan, he tied off the dinghy
and swam back to the boat. We raised the big anchor
without any problems, then grabbed the dinghy with the
boat hook. We used Tee Time to pull up the second
anchor and we were underway again. All this took two
hours, but we made it to Charleston by 4:00 pm and docked
roughly, but safely, at the City Dock.
(Above) John loads groceries at Port Royal Marina in Beaufort, SC.
We got in sightseeing while in Beaufort. (Above) we found a Civil War
Museum. (Below) I'm standing on the dock at City Marina, in front of the
swing bridge.
Museum. (Below) I'm standing on the dock at City Marina, in front of the
swing bridge.
Charleston is another fun city to explore. We spent Sunday in town and chose a Carriage Tour to see the
sites. It was fun and informative. We left bright and early on Monday morning for our next destination,
Georgetown. After a long, slow day on the ICW, we were glad to pull into Georgetown Landing Marina. We
refueled and ate at a nearby restaurant. Exhausted we went to bed early.
sites. It was fun and informative. We left bright and early on Monday morning for our next destination,
Georgetown. After a long, slow day on the ICW, we were glad to pull into Georgetown Landing Marina. We
refueled and ate at a nearby restaurant. Exhausted we went to bed early.
I enjoyed my first carriage ride tour through the city of Charleston. The beautiful old houses and cobbled streets make you feel
like you have stepped back in time. John (below right) stopped by the Daughters of the Confederacy, but no one was home.
like you have stepped back in time. John (below right) stopped by the Daughters of the Confederacy, but no one was home.
