Peaceful, quiet night. Chilly morning, wx app says low 40s. No wind. Under power 7:10.
Motoring into the flood tide. Wearing a couple layers of thermals, drysuit and gloves. Lightest of breezes, but on the nose. 7:40 passing green marker "51" shows that we have crossed the head of the tide, the current is in our favor. 7:50 main, jib and mizzen up, motor sailing. 8:30 wind fills in at green "69."
Look to the stern to see a barge and tug coming down Wadmalaw Sound. Plenty of water here so move outside the channel to let them pass. Tug now gone, my company is a dolphin with light grey skin. 9:15 motor sailing, less wind and the tide has swung around to a flood tide. More dolphins, including a large, dark skinned dolphin with a torn dorsal fin. Buffleheads too, didn't expect to see these birds so far south.
9:55 sailing, 2.8 then 1.8, rounding a point above the Toogoodoo Marshes. Motor sailing. Dawho River entrance markers in sight at 10:50. Getting warmer and stripping off the dry suit. Looking around there is another another boat in sight. For the moment, I have the river to myself. 11:15 passing White Point into the Dawho River.
11:30 wind fills in at red "118," sailing 2.9 up the river. Noon, river bends into the wind, under power. 12:50 under the bridge, main and jib down. Under power with Little Edisto Island to port. 12:50 North Creek bends to starboard, now on narrow and shallow Watts Cut. A barge and tug coming up from the stern, I see the captain motion towards me. I call him at the vhf. He says they have to make a turn ahead of me and will stay behind me. I tell him I would prefer to hold my position, let him go ahead and turn into the bank. Once he has pushed his barge up the shore, I slip behind him.
1:05 out the cut onto the South Edisto River and find the afternoon breeze. Full sail. Making 4.5 and then settle into a steady 4.2. Making a series of long, easy tacks down river, still working against the flood tide but with all this wind it doesn't matter.
Rounding the point at Alligator Creek making 4.5 and just wonderful sailing. Follow the bend in the river, keeping the tidal flats to port, easy and fun sailing. A couple more tacks and slide through Fenwich Island Cut. Anchor down 4:15.
Getting ready to set up the boom tent for the evening, I check the weather. Surprised to see a forecast for gusts in the 30s tomorrow morning. I am exposed where I am. Quickly rig to sail and checking the charts for a better anchorage. I pick out what looks to be a nice creek. But in the rush I misread the chart, start heading south on the Ashpoo River. Realizing my mistake, I shake my head, come about, pass my first anchorage, head up the Ashpoo and take the cut to Rock Creek. The last stretch sailing into the setting sun. I am frustrated with myself, don't like to be sailing this late in the day and I should have taken more time to read the charts. Live and learn. Anchor down 5:30 Rock Creek just above the cut to the Coosaw River.
39.14 NM
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