We spent two days at the Holden Beach town dock visiting with my brother and walking the beach, then it was time to push on further south.
The ICW stretch by Holden Beach has two of the worst shoaling spots along the entire 1000 mile waterway, Lockwood's Folly to the east and Shallotte to the west. Both have been recently dredged and have deep water but you have to follow the buoys, which are frequently repositioned, closely.
This passage through Shallotte the dredge was working keeping the channel open. We had room to pass by the dredge and passed through with no problems. Should still be deep on our way north in April if that aren't any major storms before then.
By midday we were into South Carolina and passing through Myrtle Beach. No need to stop this passage, just making progress moving south. There is cold weather coming and we need to get further south quickly.
By the end of the day we are in the Waccamaw River, one of the prettiest stretches of the ICW, although not so attractive in January. When we return in April all the trees will be budding and flowers blooming. We normally anchor behind Cow Island, but there was plenty of room right off Wacha Wachee marina so we dropped the anchor just off the ICW. In spring there would be excessive boat traffic here, but very quiet in January.
In the Waccamaw River which winds through the cypress forests you feel like you are miles from civilization, but this anchorage is actually only about 5 miles west of Murrell's Inlet, SC, but with no waterway connection.
OK, this is why we are moving south as fast as feasible. That's 32 degrees outside, at least it's 40 inside. Another chilly night sleeping under 4 blankets. Hopefully the last night of freezing weather.
A delayed departure this morning as we have to deice the dodger and enclosure windows so we can see where we are going.
Not a problem delaying as we are only planning on going halfway to Charleston today - its too far to make it all the way there and there is a nice secluded anchorage halfway.
The sun is out and we are soaking up the solar heat. This is my "cormorant" pose, soaking up the maximum solar rays. (The cormorants are diving ducks that often stand with wings outstretched, drying off their feathers)
Hopefully the last days of fleece vest over polyester jersey over polyester long sleeve undershirt - plus, gloves.
We are anchored in the Awendaw Creek watching a great sunset. This is a popular anchorage area, well off the ICW with a view of the ocean, but protected from the ocean surf. There were two other boats that pulled into the anchorage after us, but room for lots more. Tomorrow its off to Charleston and visits with old college day friends.
