May 7 Rock Creek SC Anchorage MM 516.1

Last night Judy and I went to the, within walking distance, Fine Arts Center to see the Broadway Play the Producers. Small theater and we had very good seats even though the performance was sold out.

We departed Shelter Cove marina with a very calm delightfully warm morning. Our next goal was to take on diesel fuel. It is amazing how uncompetitive the marinas are amongst each other. Prices range from $4.10 to $5.24 per gallon. Shelter Cove was $4.64 so we stopped at Hilton Head Marina ($4.19)which was right on our way up the ICW. I commented the dock looked new-yeah, the dockmaster said, "it is new-old dock burnt up after a fishing boat exploded last year after refueling-luckily the owner only suffered a broken nose-the boat owner also mentioned something like I knew I should have run the blower before starting the engine"

Now that Georgia is no longer on our mind-South Carolina is as well as those pesky tides. We cruised by the beautiful city of Beaufort today, as we had just been there 2 years ago, headed for an anchorage. Rock Creek was the destination (reminded me of old High School nemesis). We arrived about 2 hrs before low tide. Shortly after turning into the Creek from the ICW we encountered 4' of water-time to back off and survey the situation. We finally found some deeper water very near the banks of the creek. After setting the anchor our stern was within 20' of shore in 9' of water (pictured). The wind was blowing stiffly out of the south but the current was flowing downstream so they set up a little contest to see who would wind. It was a standoff with neither of mother natures components claiming victory. After we got settled and the tide dropped farther we saw why we reached an impasse in the Creek. A shoal (pictured) raised its head above the water. The chart shows the depth is supposed to be 22'. Later a couple of other boats came in and encountered low water also, but the tide was a little higher and I suggested that one of the boats might consider moving as he was right over the sandbar and would be grounded at low tide. Such are the challenges of anchoring and the adventure continues.


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