Day 179 - April 10, 2013: Anchorage in Minim Creek

What a gorgeous day! It will be 80 degrees and sunny, and we are celebrating with shorts and open doors and windows. No more heaters from now on (hopefully). I prepared for departure while Anne ran a couple of free loads of laundry. With most marinas charging as much as $2.00 per load for wash and an equal amount for drying, this was a good deal. By mid-morning we were in the Cooper River headed for the ICW.

South Carolina continues to have dozens of small islands separated only by narrow rivers with very quaint names. The land is low with grasses that are wheat-colored and appear to have been mowed about six feet high like a flat top of the 50s. In these rushes, white herons stand out like popcorn on a dark rug, while waiting for some unlucky fish to pass.

White herons in the flat topped rushes

In this area many of the islands are protected resources. We had a long passage through the Francis Marion National Forest, and there were no roads, bridges, homes, or any other sign of life. Here we began to see some clusters of trees and palms lining the water, much like the vegetation in the Tenn-Tom. The tide was very low, and I needed to concentrate as the depths were frequently as low as six feet. The guides warn of this, and you just have to trust your instinct on which side has the deeper water.

Tree and driftwood lined banks at low tide

The day grew warmer and Anne, for the first time in months, donned a bathing suit and headed for the bow to get some sun. I joined her up front as well, steering with the remote control, and marveled at our great fortune to be able to experience this trip.

Anne sunning on the bow

We anchored in Minim Creek, just north of the Santee River, about half way between Charleston and Georgetown. It is totally deserted here, except for the sounds of nature and one old dock. We grilled salmon and drank fine wine!

Anchorage in Minim Creek