day two - the winding path

Wake at 6:40 to a heavy dew covering SPARTINA'S boom tent after a calm peaceful night.  The only sound of the night was the rushing tides.  A southwest wind, the ebb tide grabs the hull as I lower the centerboard and rudder.  Anchor up at 7:05, I motor my way past the shoals that surround us at low tide.

Full sail at 7:20, 5.4 down Church Creek.  Out on Wadmalaw Sound distinctly feel the tide carrying us south.  Choppy with the SW wind against the tide, catch a nice long tack across the sound to a shipyard on the western shore.  I round up to reset the main, wasn't happy with the original set and glad to a smoother sail.  Steak and eggs, buffalo bar and mixed berry Rx bar.

 

8:25 green marker "95" making 5.0.  9:00 near marker "100" the sound opens up and can feel waves from the ocean rolling up the North Edisto River, 4.3 on a nice tack.  Dawho River entrance in sight, a cluster of green and red markers ahead.  Cross a tide line and SPARTINA falls off a few degrees, I've lost the helping tide.  

Two tacks to the Dawho, terns feeding at the mouth of the river.  An eagle is perched on red "110," another eagle perched on green "111."  Enter the river with a gentle breeze, 2.4 and a beautiful cloudless day.  The wind fills in, 4.4 then 5.3, mud banks line both sides of the narrow river at low tide.  

Once past the bridge the main and jib come down, North Creek at low tide is more of a ditch than a creek, narrow and very shallow.  Turn to starboard at Watts Cut for last stretch of motoring.

Full sail on the South Edisto River at 11:25, 4.2 sailing close hauled.  12:45 cross a tide line and find easier sailing on the other side.  Light overcast, a wave and a thumbs up from a passing power boat.  

Pass Alligator Creek and the channel curves to the southwest.  Several tacks down the narrow channel and then a long tack over what is marked as a shoal - but seemed to be plenty of water - to reach Fenwich Island Cut.  Outgoing tide and a stand of trees blocks the wind so motor sail through the cut.  On the Ashpoo River at 2:10 making 6.4.

Main and jib down, under power for the Ashpoo-Coosaw cut at 2:50.  Anchor down 3:10 just north of the ICW on Rock Creek.  

 31.39 NM

Pasta Roma for dinner.