Moving north in South Carolina

We crossed into South Carolina on our way from the Savannah area to Beaufort, SC. There is a lot of interesting traffic, but nothing compared to the ships we saw in Charleston (see below).

Small tug and barge

Ferry boat crossing to the barrier Islands

 We arrived in Beaufort, SC and anchored out for two days of gorgeous spring weather.  The azaleas are in full bloom along with many flowers.  The gardens are being cleared and made ready for the warm weather.  Spring is late this year everywhere, and we plan to follow the azaleas north as they bloom.

 

Beaufort bridge at low tide

 

Bench in downtown Beaufort

One of many lovely homes both large and small

Garden musician

Crape Myrtle treeshave interesting trunks that stand out this time of year before they leaf out and bloom.

 We walked around the town and found many old 1800's and earlier houses.  The town was not destroyed by the civil war, so many have survived and been restored.  The cemetery has many civil war graves, and the flat topped tombs were used during the war for hospital operating tables when the wounded overflowed from the hospital. 

We continued on to Charleston and stayed at the Maritime Center in the downtown area. Charleston has so many amazing homes and gardens.  We enjoyed walking around the city and had a great dinner at Fleet Landing Restaurant (The best stuffed hush puppies with lobster and shrimp).

The section of ICW through the national nature reserve has marsh lands, creeks, lines of trees and occasional homes when you get closer to the city.  We came through at low water, and got to see the mud flats - and cleaned our bottom in a couple of spots where the shoals came across the channel ...

Try navigating through those mounds that are submerged at high water - thankfully not in the channel.

Line of trees on solid ground land spit.  The rest is marsh land.

An eagle out hunting

 When we arrived in Charleston we had beautiful warm weather, and enjoyed walking through many different neighborhoods.  What they all have in common is enticing gardens hidden behind gates along side and behind the houses. 

Great gardens and homes both north and south of Broad Street:

Crape Myrtle tree trunk

Great gate

The Holocaust memorial depicts a prayer shawl cast in bronze with one tassel cut off to symbolize death.  It is set on a large platform of stone and surrounded by black iron fence the has the feeling of a temple as well as a prison.
 

The Holocaust Memorial

Charleston Catholic Cathedral

 Charleston Harbor is filled with enormous ships. Some are open container ships stacked with hundreds of shipping containers.  Others are closed because they are filled with cars.  We watched them loading cars while they were also loading cars on the other ramp.  I think they are a distribution center for new car shipping.

This life boat on one of the car carriers is a lot bigger than our boat, enclosed  and a lot sturdier.

We left Charleston and cruised north for a long day.  We anchored next to Butler Island in the lower end of the Waccamaw River. We woke to a beautiful calm day with amazing reflections and mist along the river banks.

We arrived in Myrtle Beach and took a slip at the Yacht Club near MYC members Cathy and Peter Gulliver and Marilyn and Bill Fiegle.  We were so warmly welcomed, and enjoyed a dinner together at the Officers Club.  We had dinner at each of their lovely homes.  It was so nice to be together.  Thank you both for everything.  Again the MYC family is here for us.

Bill and Marilyn Fiegle

Robert, Cathy, Peter and Jeff