This post covers travel from Jekyll Island GA to Holden Beach NC with stops at Thunderbolt GA, Dataw Island SC, and McClellanville SC.
-Celebrating Easter underway: Left Jekyll Harbor Marina (m684.5) on March 31, and traveled 91.1SM to Hinckley Yacht Services Basin (m582) in Thunderbolt GA, which is near Savannah GA. In Key West, a diver replacing our zincs over tightened the screw by the bow thruster, snapping the head. Hinckley hauled out LT and replaced the screw/zinc.
We went “on the outside” for this trip. Initially to avoid Hell’s Gate, a shallow cut at low tide. But also it was more direct/faster and the wind and waves were ideal.
At Hinckley, we met up with some loopers we met in Iuka MS. Hinckley has a very nice late model Mazda SUV as their courtesy car (most have very old vehicles with all of the lights on the dash glowing - e.g., check engine, danger, etc) that we took to visit downtown Savannah.
-On April 1 we left Hinckley for Dataw Island (m521), passing Parris Island and Beaufort on the way (total traveled: 65.3SM). Having such a great experience at Jekyll Island, we searched for islands with bikes. Dataw Island had bikes, an indoor pool, fitness center, free laundry and several golf courses.
Some dear friends stopped in for a visit on their way from Florida to Michigan. Lovey time together and a sunny day made for many alligator sightings.
-We stayed at Dataw Island 3 nights to weather out storms. On Friday, April 5 we cruised on the inside to Leland Oil Company in McClellanville SC (m430), just north of Charleston (total traveled: 95.1SM). There were several shallow cuts in this stretch of the ICW, including the Isle of Palms, that we timed to passed through at mid to high tide. We also crossed the Port of Charleston where there was plenty of Fort Sumter ferry traffic. All day the tides did little to help us in terms of providing a push - we were usually being pulled back by the incoming/outgoing tide.
-On April 6 we cruised from Leland Oil Company in SC to Holden Beach NC (m223) (total traveled: 105.9SM). We were told the Waccamaw River was the most beautiful stretch along the ICW. It was indeed a National Geographic day. It was also a long travel day. We had anchorages selected as bailout points but our goal was to get to Holden Beach.
There are warnings about passing through Myrtle Beach on a weekend because of crazy boat traffic. However, on a late Saturday afternoon, after the spring break season and before the boating season, it is quiet. Only one set of jet skis decided to stop in the center of the channel immediately in front of our boat. The many slow/no wake zones did slow us down. We tied lines 10 minutes after sunset, and about 5 minutes before a larger barge (aptly named “Captain Rob”) passed us by. Nice not to have dealt with that.
Having spent a few Michigan winters at Holden Beach and were quite happy to be back to this favorite spot—biking, walking the beach, looking for shells, etc.
As always, thank you for reading.
To Bald Head Island and beyond!
Fair winds and clear skies on this solar eclipse day,
Amy
3650 statute miles to date!
3650 statute miles to date!
LT at Hinckley Yacht Basin, Thunderbolt GA.
LT at Hinckley Yacht Basin, Thunderbolt GA.
LT being hauled for zinc bolt snap repair.
LT being hauled for zinc bolt snap repair.
Forsyth Park fountain, Savannah.
Forsyth Park fountain, Savannah.
Forsyth Park, Savannah.
Forsyth Park, Savannah.
Savannah.
Savannah.
Monument to James Oglethorpe who either designed or implemented the city design of repeated neighborhood squares.
Monument to James Oglethorpe who either designed or implemented the city design of repeated neighborhood squares.
About James.
About James.
Savannah.
Savannah.
Savannah.
Savannah.
Savannah, by the waterfront.
Savannah, by the waterfront.
Pictures inside a restaurant, Savannah. If you can name the restaurant you win this epsiode of the LT Blog.
Pictures inside a restaurant, Savannah. If you can name the restaurant you win this epsiode of the LT Blog.
Leaving Thunderbolt for Dataw Island.
Leaving Thunderbolt for Dataw Island.
Passing Hilton Head.
Passing Hilton Head.
LT on her way from Thunderbolt to Dataw Island.
LT on her way from Thunderbolt to Dataw Island.
More sumberged boats along the way.
More sumberged boats along the way.
Dataw Island restaurant and marina.
Dataw Island restaurant and marina.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Alligator, Dataw Island.
Big alligator, Dataw Island.
Big alligator, Dataw Island.
Another alligator, Dataw Island.
Another alligator, Dataw Island.
More alligators, Dataw Island.
More alligators, Dataw Island.
Turtle and alligator, Dataw Island.
Turtle and alligator, Dataw Island.
Turtles and alligator, Dataw Island.
Turtles and alligator, Dataw Island.
A Roseate spoonbill, Dataw Island.
A Roseate spoonbill, Dataw Island.
I think these are Snowy egrets, Dataw Island.
I think these are Snowy egrets, Dataw Island.
More Snowy egrets, Dataw Island.
More Snowy egrets, Dataw Island.
LT at Dataw Island.
LT at Dataw Island.
Early departure from Dataw Island to Leland Oil Company McClellanville.
Early departure from Dataw Island to Leland Oil Company McClellanville.
Passing Charleston.
Passing Charleston.
Passing Charleston.
Passing Charleston.
Passing Fort Sumter.
Passing Fort Sumter.
Made it to Leland Oil Company, McClellanville SC.
Made it to Leland Oil Company, McClellanville SC.
An evening walk around McClellanville. During pockets of the walk there was a sweet fragrance - lilacs?
An evening walk around McClellanville. During pockets of the walk there was a sweet fragrance - lilacs?
Leland Tug at Leland Oil.
Leland Tug at Leland Oil.
Leland Oil Company.
Leland Oil Company.
Wacca Wache Marina - popular Looper marina and good fuel prices (m383.5).
Wacca Wache Marina - popular Looper marina and good fuel prices (m383.5).
Waccamaw River (~m375.5)
Waccamaw River (~m375.5)
Socastee Bridge (m371). One of the few bridges we have to hail for an opening.
Socastee Bridge (m371). One of the few bridges we have to hail for an opening.
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Turtles sunning themselves.
Turtles sunning themselves.
A deer swimming across the ICW.
A deer swimming across the ICW.
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Passing Calabash Restaurant in Myrtle Beach.
Passing Calabash Restaurant in Myrtle Beach.
Ocean Isle Bridge - we are now in North Carolina!
Ocean Isle Bridge - we are now in North Carolina!
South end of Holden Beach - we are nearly there!
South end of Holden Beach - we are nearly there!
Nearly to the dock!
Nearly to the dock!
Tied up at the Holden Beach Town Dock.
Tied up at the Holden Beach Town Dock.
And here comes a freighter.
And here comes a freighter.
A tug named CAPTAIN ROB :)!
A tug named CAPTAIN ROB :)!
A good day!
A good day!
LT and a 35’ catamaran at the 90’ Holden Beach Town Dock.
LT and a 35’ catamaran at the 90’ Holden Beach Town Dock.
HB, looking west.
HB, looking west.
HB looking east. Seems like Mackers should be walking with us!
HB looking east. Seems like Mackers should be walking with us!
Mackers at HB in years past (she loved to carry a shell).
Mackers at HB in years past (she loved to carry a shell).