LORD’S PRAYER LOG, Part 319:

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Anchored Rock Creek, SC, ICW mile 516

0615 As we prepare to get underway, the horizon to the east turns a brilliant orange. Stars that a few minutes ago twinkled overhead are fading; a half-moon resides above us, as there’s but one day left before the 3rd quarter. The sky is clear, the wind is calm; air temperature is 54ºF and water temperature is 69ºF. A thin mist rises from the water. An unseen water creature ripples the surface of the water midway between the marsh and the boat. Anchor lights, on eight nearby boats, add warmth in this peaceful, pristine, remote place in the marsh.

0627 Lord’s Prayer is underway.

0648 As we exit the Ashe Island Land Cut and enter the Coosaw River, we note three other sailing vessels in the distance motoring through the cut behind us… most likely out of the anchorage we just left… but too far back to be sure.

0651 Sunrise.

0708 A fourth sailboat now emerges from the cut 1.8 nm behind us. Around the horizon a purple sky merges with purple reflections off the water surface; the morning mist thickens and it half hides nearby channel markers and portions of the marshland. To the east the sun blazes brilliantly above the horizon and reflects off a glassy water surface… blinding our view in that direction. A sailboat, anchored in Bull River, comes into view over the starboard bow.

0855 Here and there in the river, as we approach Beaufort, SC, we see a loon swimming in the water. And on the sides of the river we see oyster reefs protruding from shallow water or perched upon the flats. Every now and then dolphins break the surface near the boat.

0929 We pass through the Ladies Island Swing Bridge at Beaufort, SC, in a gaggle of 5 sailboats, all of which spent the night at Rock Creek last night; there are lots of oysters growing on the bridge structure in the intertidal zone. From the water Beaufort appears to be an attractive little community.

1026 We pass a large warehouse-type building off to starboard; a sign on it identifies it as the Port Royal Dry Stack Marina… not a bad concept… indoor storage preserves the boat while it’s not in use (keeping it out of the weather) and out-of-water storage ameliorates the burgeoning demand for more and more slip type marina facilities.

1040 We pass abeam the Marines Corps’ Parris Island recruit training base. Painted on the side of the base’s water tank is: “1-800-MARINES”.

1140 Leaving the mouth of Beaufort River, we turn to cross Port Royal Sound where we will reenter the ICW channel west of Hilton Head.

1159 We cross paths close aboard with a large center-cockpit Hinckley sloop; it’s under full sail, bound toward the open sea in a 10 kt westerly breeze, which just happens to be on our nose.

1215 Approaching Dolphin Head (on Hilton Head Island), we pass starboard to starboard with a working shrimp boat that appears to be dragging for shrimp.

1605 Lord’s Prayer is anchored in Wright River just off the ICW. We’re in 19’ of water on the Spade anchor with 100’ of chain rode deployed. The tide is at the middle of its range (it’s 4.7’ above datum). So presumably the current should be at its maximum strength and that looks to be about a half-knot. Our position is 32 05.290 N 80 56.143 W; we’re at ICW statute mile 573. Engine time: 484.3 hours. We’re anchored out in the marsh again tonight; however, while we’re still in South Carolina, we’re only about 10 miles east of Savannah, GA.

1723 Sunset.

END OF LORD’S PRAYER LOG, Part 319