This was a nice easy trip mainly because of the distance and the channel so straight, but I knew that another front was coming thru and I would have plenty of time to settle into Inlet creek. On the way down to the creek you can see the last bridge you have to go thru before entering Charleston harbor. It was very tempting to keep going, and after all wasn't I just going to Charleston? How much farther could the Charleston "City" boatyard be? Thank goodness I didn't - "City" ain't got anything to do with where that boatyard is! Arriving at the creek I turned right as if I was getting off the I95 checking the chart it looked like I had plenty of water for at least a half mile up. I got to the mouth at about half tide with it coming in so I had to careful to anchor in the right place but with plenty of water showing on the charts no big deal Ha! The creek takes a lot of hard sharp bends so that you can't see whats around the corner until you get there. Well just around that first corner it had silted in to a bar that went half way across and where the only thing that could get thru would be a small outboard. So much for 12 to 15'!
I dropped the anchor 200' back from the bar in 8-10' with 60' of rode out, plenty for riding out a strong breeze - I hope. The creek at this point seemed about 100' wide so hopefully the breeze wouldn't shift so I would be up against the edge but what are you going to do?
I had plenty of time before dark so went out for a row and by the time I got back the tide had come in enough to cover the bar. Boy if I had come in then I would have run right up on top of it without a clue! Down below I thought I would give Charleston a break tomorrow and took a shower. As I was drying my hair I heard a boat boat coming into the creek and popped my head up to see what it was. To my surprise a 40 footer went past me at about 5 knots with another 40 footer right behind him heading straight for what was now the hidden bar! I screamed at the top of my lungs and with that luckily the first boat heard me and came to a very impressive stop while the boat behind him had to not only slow dow but avoid hitting him. It was almost comical. I yelled over that there was a hidden bar not fifty feet in front of him and he responded that he had been here before and didn't remember any bar.. Okay so I was really fibbing and just want to see you guys pile up on one another, what can I say I'm bored! They slowly came around and went towards the creek entrance to find a place to anchor. But the first guy slowed down and dropped his hook, backed down and I was astounded that when he finished his transom was directly over my anchor! I could spit and hit his boat. Now what do I do? Do I yell, Do I ask nicely, He was a big ugly guy in a big ugly pirate looking thing. Crap. So to review... I save this guy and his buddy from running up on a oyster encrusted sand bar at the top of the tide and no one say thanks, even a nod would have been nice, and then Captain Jack Sparrow decides to park 40' in front of me, and all this with a front coming thru, thunder storms and all! Time for wine. Also, I have 60' of rode out. Whats going to happen when the wind shifts and he's behind me? If he doesn't have a lot of scope out we're going to be bunk buddies. I refuse to move - I was here first. More wine.
The suns going down and with the sky changing every minute its beautiful, and dramatic at the same time. I can only think here it comes. As the 6' tide recedes and Star drops ever so slowly I see less and less of the golden marshes, while the sides of the creek creep in towards the boats, how thin the creek gets only time will tell. The boats have turned with the tide and Capt Long John realizing he's misjudged things brings in some of his scope, it's still not enough but better.
I wish I could say the rest of the night was dull, but alas it wasn't. The breeze came in and with it thunder storms with amazing amounts of rain. So much so, you couldn't see the boats behind me even though we were so cozy and close. The breeze shifted and with the tide going out at a good rate I found Star hardly moving and actually come to think of it she wasn't moving at all! I was hard aground, well in the mud, there was only one thing to do - I went to sleep. Star would have to figure it out for herself.
In the morning I was floating but the wind still had some strength to it. I sat with my tea and watch with some glee as the "gentleman" in front of me had to grind in his chain rode by hand, I swear he going to drop dead on deck at any moment, but he got it in and he and his buddy on the other boat raced off to catch the bridge and get a early start on the day. Once again with a bit of glee I knew that the bridge's first opening wasn't until 9:00 o'clock, it now being around 7:00 they were going to have to mill about for two solid hours - oh well!
