Five Fathom Creek, SC to Cow House Creek, SC

After being caught off guard by Tropical Storm Alberto last evening, we awoke early eager get under way and place additional miles between C’est la Vie and the storm warnings.  Watching the morning sunrise over the marshes of Cape Romain it was easy to judge which direction to run.

Here is the view to our northeast towards Georgetown, SC

Sunrise over Five Fathom Creek, SC

And here is looking southwest towards Charleston, SC

Rain Bands from Tropical Storm Alberto

 No brainier.  We were underway by 06:00.  Being a morning person I took the first watch.  The 20 knot northeast winds on our nose made the 60 degree morning temps feel brisk.  Between naps Anne kept me supplied with warm tea.

Anne napping in the quarter berth

We anticipated rough conditions combined with a headwind in Winyah Bay.  The bay exceeded expectations.  We entered the bay at a high slack so waiting would have only added tidal current to the challenge. Initially we tacked up the channel under a small jib.  The waves were very short period 2 to 3 feet on the bow so tacking with a bit of foresail  made for a better ride.  Closing in on Geogetown the waves dimished along with the fetch so we completed the final couple miles motoring into the wind.

Rather than fight the afternoon ebb tide  we ducked into Georgetown Harbor and tied up at one of the free city docks.  Big Tuna Resturant’s atmosphere drew us in so we grabbed some lunch.  While not bad food the atmosphere was more impressive than my cheeseburger or Anne’s crabcake sandwich

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The highlight of our Georgetown layover was the opportunity to catch up with Susan & Lynn, friends from Beaufort that have relocated.  They are currently working to create the GeorgetownMaritime Museum. 

Tide waits for no-one so by 16:00 we were steaming out of town ready to ride the flooding tide up to an anchorage in the Waccamaw River.