On Sunday the 18th, we left Beaufort, SC, and its beautiful sunsets behind, headed for the giggle-worthy Toogoodoo Creek. (Come on now, wrapping your tongue around that one has to at least make you smile.) Heck, Todd still can’t say it right!
The day began with heavy fog, which slowly lifted to reveal a totally calm, reflective waterway.
The remainder of the five-hour cruise was beautiful, and we seemingly had the waterway to ourselves, allowing us to relax and enjoy the amazing views of this part of the low country of South Carolina.
Doesn’t look particularly “navigable” in the first place.
(Surprise for the photographer: there’s a green heron on the sign.)
Despite being a Sunday, we did see productive folks “working” the waterway. Just a bit of a reminder of why the thing was built in the first place.
The anchorage on Toogoodoo Creek was beautifully surrounded by marsh grass, and one wonders how a bird can remember where they fished before, as it seems to all look the same.
The downside to the marsh grass, at least this time of year, is Tabanus nigrovittatus, the greenhead or salt marsh fly. Or as we called them “those @$#%@ biting little $@#$@#!”
Luckily, upon anchoring we can close the upper hatch – all other openings have screens – before dispatching those $@#$@# that have entered the boat!
Monday morning, we left Toogoodoo Creek and headed for McClellanville, SC.
The scenery was lovely, and the $#@# flies were fierce! Armed with fly swatters, we twirled, whacked, hopped, smacked (sometimes each other), scratched, danced, and cursed! Yes, even Susie! All while watching the beautiful landscape, houses and some of the longest docks go by!
The attack let up some as we entered the traffic of Charleston Harbor. Goodness, their City Dock has to be the biggest around (no pictures, it’s too big! And we were still swatting the stowaways).
Exiting Charleston Harbor, we started through more of the real low country of SC. As far as the eye could see, marshland. And behind us? Yup, the “front/system/whatever” was gaining, and given our pace, most likely going to catch us. You know, ominous clouds, change in the air, and weird feel on the hair on your arms. We tried to outrun the storm. Ha! Remember, “we plan, God laughs!”
We pushed the ‘Mare into a gallop trying to get docked in McClellanville before the storm caught us. In the end, we are immensely thankful to the nice young woman at Leland Oil (marina) who came out in a blowing deluge to catch lines and help us tie up to the dock. We were all soaked through.
Next time we should use Todd’s underwater camera to capture the event!
Our Travels 