Charleston SC

Trip Start Dec 01, 2007
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Trip End May 31, 2008


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Flag of United States  , South Carolina,
Friday, May 2, 2008

The next day we decide to continue our trip on the inside up to Charleston.  We could have gone out side, but the tides were against us and there was really no rush.  Scott had advised me not to try to dock in his slip with a cross wind.  Having docked out sailboat in City Marina when we lived in the CHS area I was familiar with the challenges of docking in this place.  Not only can the winds be gusty, but the reversing current can run 3-4 kts.   That means your 40' vessel will travel 40 under current alone in about 30 seconds.   There is not a lot of margin for error when you are docking in close quarters.  Here, discretion is the better part of valor as they say.  Even the best captains often wait for slack water to go in.  Even the marina hoists a red flag when the current is running. 
 
When we arrive under the bridge and assess the area, the winds are blowing hard and a strong cross wind is evident In Charleston
In Charleston
 .  Even though we had hoped to dock and go in for dinner (it was our anniversary) I opt to anchor in the river and wait until morning.  While this was not a happy idea to the 'admiral', I was not going to risk an un happy ending of the day.  Later on it stormed and rained like the devil, so it was not to happen.  So instead of a big hunk of prime rib to celebrate our 18 years together, leftovers went in the microwave.   Ill leave it at that.
 
The next three days were really nice.  We entered the slip the next morning at slack water and with minimal winds.  All was well.  Were tied up in a great location and were ready to get re-acquainted with this great southern city. 
 
As it happened our cruising friends Jim and Marge on Summer Skis were pulling into City Marina as well.  We ended up having a really good lunch out with them and waked the historical area under perfect conditions.  We also met two other cruising couples.  One was in a large, older boat they had purchased from a government sale...a former drug runner boat.  Who would suspect this large, bulky cruiser would have drugs....I guess the FBI.  It was seized coming in from Equator.  The new owners are fixing it up and currently make it their home in City Marina.  They are both former music educators and very interesting folks.  They were kind enough to invite us over for snacks and drinks.  We also meet another crusing couple who have moved aboard from St John Canada.  Since we are talking our a cruise there in summer 09, we had a lot to discuss.
 
Overall the three days in Charleston we very nice.  We could have stayed one more day, but in looking at the calendar it was time to move up.  We would like to hit Norfolk VA in a week.  
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