Day 5 and 6 - Sunny weather and the Rock Pile

After the dense fog on Day 4, we were thrilled on Sunday morning to wake to warm, sunny weather. We were stripping off layers rapidly and the kids changed into bathing suits and reclined on the deck in their bean bags. It was Sunday; people were out boating and enjoying the beautiful weather. We spotted a bald eagle and a pirate ship! They even shouted "Arghh" and "How much for the Child?" We crossed into South Carolina at the end of the day and found a nice spot; the kids played in the dinghy, Bob hooked up the barbecue and our neighbors at the anchorage stopped over to say hi. We enjoyed a fine meal in the cockpit of kielbasa, cabbage and potatoes.

We knew that we would be traversing the area known as the "Rock Pile" on Day 6. Our neighbors from the Sangaris, seasoned cruisers, gave us some additional information on the ominous stretch and I spent the evening before reading up on it. We also knew that getting out of the anchorage would be a little tight so we planned on an early departure, just after high tide and an hour or so before dawn. Unfortunately we woke to fog and waited until full day to leave. We traversed the anchorage exit without difficulty and headed south, slowly, towards the rocks waiting for us in the fog. We had heard/read about the accidents there and the loss of assorted boat bottoms and equipment to rocks, mostly having to do with boats passing within a narrow stretch. We had also heard that women cruisers generally take to the radio like fish to water but I was still struggling with it, never mind Bob,(AKA: Mr. Snuffalufagus) but I bravely announced our entrance on the radio channel used by tugs and barges and we traversed the section without incident. With four opening bridges that day, each requiring a radio call we took turns and are beginning to build some comfort with radio use, if not radio etiquette. With the four bridges, the nice folks on the Sangaris caught up to us and we enjoyed friendly radio chatter and mentoring with them all day. 

We passed into fresh water during Day 6 and anchored in the swamps of the Waccamaw River. The area was the wildest we have seen on the trip so far. Anna looked hard to find an alligator but was unsuccesssful. Due to anchoring concerns, we placed a trip line on the anchor to assist in freeing it in the morning. Unfortunately, we blew over the trip line and caught the float under the boat on the rudder. This popped the anchor and we drifted to the edge of the creek and got stuck in the mud. Bob spent the wee hours of the night lying on the swim platform, trying to remove the rope from under the boat with a boat hook, hoping no alligators came by. We finally got out of the mud, with the help of the sail, as the tide came up.   We tried to look on the bright side and beyond the mosquito bites. We did see something swimming around the boat around 3 A.M. and of course thought 'alligator' but it turned out to be a very curious beaver. We saw shooting stars and talked on the deck in the warm night air. We saw several boats whiz by, duck hunters on the way to blinds. We pulled anchor early and were escorted out by a chorus of gun shots.

 Traversing through one of the many movable bridges enroute. Thanks to new friends Tina and Scott from the Sangaris for the photo.

 

Finally a day with glorious weather!

 

 Do I look relaxed yet?

 

Bath time

 The kids enjoying a few minutes of play in the dinghy near the NC/SC border.

 

 

 

You never know what you are going to see on the Waterway!