Day 215 Charleston & Anchorage 4/16/10

The "low lands". Lets hope they don't forget anything when you head to the boat.








We passed a boat graveyard. This is just 2 of the boats that were left to die a slow death.






Our boat is on this side of the pier. It was a little frightening to look up and see him so close.



Glad he is in control, he could demolish us.




A bulk freighter transports a variety items. I'm curious where they are headed.



With Charleston being the 4th largest shipping port in the US, we are seeing many freighters, cruise Ships, Navy Ships, sailboats, and many Charleston Harbor tourist excursion vessels. Today a Navy submarine cruised by our boat escorted by armed gun boats. Tom received an email from a home town friend whose son was the nuclear operator on that very sub . He and the rest of the crew are taking it to Norfolk, VA for routine repairs in dry dock. It really is a small world!

The population of Charleston is 111,000 with 63 restaurants in the downtown area alone. It was a hard decision but we chose to have dinner at Bocci Italian Restaurant. Again, we were not disappointed.

In the south you hear of areas called Rainbow Row. Years ago many people could not read or write so they painted their houses different colors in order to describe to someone where they lived.

The last few days, Tom has been noticing a yellow film on cars and on the boat. We found out the film is due to the high pollen count. I’ve never been bothered with allergies or hay fever but I’m bothered now! It’s hard to tell if it is hay fever or a cold but I’ve been sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose and headache. I guess that is the price I have pay for enjoying all the beautiful flowers and trees that we’ve seen along the way.

There are many vessels heading north after wintering in the south. Today the marine radio chatter was constant form so much traffic. The waterway is quite narrow and passing slower vessels requires radio communication for safe passage. After traveling 49 miles on a mostly cloudy day, we are anchored at off the ICW at MM 420 on the South Santee River. The landscaping we passed is what they call low lands and marshes. Since we arrived there are 3 sailboats and another motor vessel that are anchored in the area.