What's that noise? Oh yeah, it's an real alarm clock, not the usual "Buddy alarm". I set the infernal thing so we could get an early run out of Jericho Creek. The mouth of the creek appeared to be shoaled in more than what I remembered of the 2007 trip. I wanted to be out before the tide reached full low, plus it would give us some push down to Georgetown, SC and Winyah Bay.
Despite the 0530 alarm, it was 0715 before we raised the anchor. We eased over the bar at the creek entrance with a couple of feet to spare and headed southward. We rode the tide boost a while but lost it as we passed Georgetown.
Seems like cloudy, damp and cold mornings make travel seem slower than it already is. We push on down the Winyah Bay and enter the Esterville Minim Creek Canal. This is another man-made cut that scares the heck out of you at low tide. We’re fortunate to be passing on the rising tide. We have spotty rain as we move through the North and South Santee rivers. The only thing that breaks the monotony is the occasional powerboat wanting to pass us. By the time we are nearing forty miles of travel, the rain is more of a nuisance. The plan was to stop in Graham Creek, but there was real shallow water at the entrance so we decided to proceed on. That decision was met with heavier rain and increased wind, naturally! We pushed on another 12 miles to Whiteside Creek.
One sailboat was already anchored in the prime spot so we went around the bend and attempted to anchor. After two unsuccessful attempts to get the Danforth to set, we moved back to the first leg of the creek and anchored just up stream of the other sailboat. Shortly afterward another sailboat anchored just off the other boat’s stern.
It was raining pretty good and the wind was 15 gusting to 20 knots. This creek is totally exposed with nothing but marsh grass all around. After two failed anchor sets, my anxiety level about our location was maxed out . It was getting dark so we’re stuck with this place.
Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Whiteside Creek, SC MM452
Started: 0645 Stopped: 1630
Distance Traveled: 56 mi Avg Speed 6.4 mph
Total Distance Traveled to Date: 452 Statute Miles
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