Port Royal to Johns Island

Day: 177, May 3

Hours today: 8

Miles today: 68

Total miles: 3,507

Today was another long but pleasant day on the Atlantic ICW. Once again tides were the major factor in planning our trip. We, Fruitcakes, and Serenity untied our lines at 0630 with John and Kathy in the lead. We needed to get through Ashepoo Coosaw Cut with plenty of water, which we did. The Low Country marshes surrounded the waterway for most of the trip. As we approached the Charleston area, the water was filled with Sunday boaters. It reminded us of the 4th of July on the Mississippi, only busier. Many of the boaters were ignorant (or unconcerned) about the effect their large wakes had on our three trawlers. There was plenty of rockin'and rollin' going on!

We were met at St. John's Yacht Harbor at 2:30 p.m. by good friends Glenn and Brenda, who live here in Charleston. We were thrilled to see these lovely people that we first met in Grafton last fall! They drove all of us to fellow Loopers Burke and Stel's home on Johns Island in their 6-passenger vehicle. We stretched that number to nine with just a little squishing. Glenn, Brenda, Burke and Stel are all Gold Loopers, meaning that they have completed the Loop. Both couples have their boats docked at their homes as they ponder the next adventure in their lives. Burke and Stell treated us to a Low Country shrimp boil at their beautiful home. Good friends, good food, and shared memories.

Today (May 4) was busy with chores. After a leisurely morning, Mark re-caulked some areas in the fly bridge. He ran out of 4000 UV quick cure caulk so I was dispatched to West Marine since Julie, Kathy and I were headed to the grocery store in a borrowed car. With the help of Google maps we easily found our way to West Marine and discovered that it is located in a strip mall with Harris Teeter and Steinmart. Serendipity! Mark had to wait a bit for the caulk while we browsed the merchandise at Steinmart and grocery shopped at Harris Teeter. HT is the most impressive and beautiful grocery store I have experienced! WOW! Move over Hy-Vee and Publix.  I could have easily spent a couple hours there. But we had deadlines.

Glenn and his magic van picked up six of us at 4:30 and drove us to his home on James Island for a cookout. He and Brenda also live on a creek and have their boat right there. What a gorgeous setting!

This is a joggling board. Who knew??