day four - five star dive bar

Sail off anchor 7:35, 1.5 with a gentle ebb tide and light west wind.  Cool, clear.  Just a few minutes to turn into the cut to the Coosaw River, motor sailing at idle speed between Beet and Ashe Islands.

A great blue heron stands motionless next the the tiniest of drains running out of the marsh.  With a splash it grabs a baitfish for breakfast.

Slip out onto the Coosaw River 8:10 at red marker "184," sailing at 2.5 with a nice breeze.  A toot of a horn and friendly wave from a passing trawler.  

Beautiful morning, nice breeze and making just over three knots against the ebb tide.  Could not ask for a better morning. 

8:50 better wind off and making 3.7 with wind after of starboard beam.  Think of turning south towards Morgan Island but don't want to give up on this beautiful sailing.  9:20 making 4.0 off Parrot Creek.  Use the VHF to call a tug coming up the channel, confirm a port to port pass.  9:50 can see the entrance markers for Brickyard Creek.  

I recall that a year ago I had received an invitation to visit Lady's Island across from Beaufort, but cannot recall who sent the invite.  I check my emails and find it was from Adam, who runs a canvas shop at the marina.  I text him and quickly receive an invitation to Lady's Island.  He's arranged a slip for me, and I offer to treat for dinner.

Wind falls off turning into Brickyard Creek, motor sailing.  11:20 wind returns, sailing on the ebb tide at 2.3.  Beautiful creek and a lone dolphin parallels SPARTINA in the shallows along the mud banks just off the marsh.

12:25 rounding Pleasants Point green "229a" shows we now have a flood tide.  1:15 turn to port into Factory Creek that runs between the marsh and Lady's Island.  Find Adam and his wife Susie waiting to grab the lines, docked at 1:30.

Adam has been interested in the Pathfinder design for a while and wanted to see one in person.  I give him a quick tour of the boat, it doesn't take long, and then he and Susie give me a tour of Journey Marine Canvas, their shop Lady's Island Marine.  Adam agrees to meet for dinner, then I head back to SPARTINA to stow away gear and set up the boom tent.

I had always bypassed Lady's Island on past trips, instead heading to better known Beaufort just across the river.  I am pleased to find a quiet little community.  There is a nice little cafe/sandwich shop right next to the marina, a restaurant called Lady's Island Dockside on the marina grounds and a dive bar - The Fillin' Station - a short walk away.  How nice!

I've got to catch up on my logs so I head to the dive bar, a five star dive bar they proudly say, to get out of the sun, drink a club soda and fill out the log.  

I have an enjoyable dinner with Adam at the Dockside restaurant, and thank him for his hospitality.  It is always good to meet new people along the way.

 17.9 NM