Sun Nov 10 - In which we leave our poop in Charleston

Leland Oil Company – Charleston, SC

On the way out of the ‘skinny’ water, heading to Charleston (which would be a 20-minute drive by car but was to be a 4-hour boat trip – we are definitely learning to s l o w down.  In fact, we decided that if I wanted to go for run I could run alongside the boat because I would be going about the same speed) we had to slow (even more) to pass the working dredge.  The dredges are super important all along the ICW, and other waterways, as they keep the water from shoaling (that’s the word we boaters use for build-up of sand deposit).  The dredge crews work shifts and the operation runs 24 hours a day.  What a thankless, endless, repetitive job (like being a mom, but without the relief shift, as he is usually somewhere else) – we are very grateful for what they do…

Again, dolphins everywhere.  And all around us a vast grassland of waterways and the occasional wildlife refuge.  It’s really good for the heart and mind to see that there still are places in the world that have not ruined by the toxic touch of humans.

Today we were reserving all of our high blood pressure for the Charleston harbor.  While not as big as Norfolk, that harbor was very long and quiet, and Charleston is a vast body of water inhabited by hundreds of small boats like us, plus tiny boats that dart and whine like mosquitoes, Navy Cutters, NOAA research vessels, cruise ships, several marinas (one of which is referred to as the Mega Dock, so you can just imagine the number of boats) – and the Yorktown museum complex.

In fact, we had picked the marina that is RIGHT next to the Yorktown.  Rick has (somewhat) fond memories of spending the night on that old WWII aircraft carrier with the Boy Scouts. (He liked the part about being with William, but maybe not so much the cramped five-decker bunkbeds).  This kind of marina is the fancy sort that we think other types of boaters favor.  Water, power, hot showers, a big complex of pools/bars/restaurants/fitness center/hotel/condos/etc.  We are too cheap to stay in a place like this often, but Charleston marina prices are what they are.

 It was quite a sight to be docked almost right under the nose of the gigantic Yorktown.  Which is right next to the lovely soaring bridge. 

We took the marina shuttle over the bridge and right to the Slave’s Market.  

 We spent a little time in the market and then walked for a bit.  We stumbled upon a Jewish Heritage Festival

with wonderful music, but neither gnocchi nor latkes were on our minds so we settle for Maui Tacos.  A Mexican/Hawaiian fusion that no one knew they were needing. Pretty tasty, if you like pineapple salsa – which I think sounds like blasphemy, but Rick liked it.  I had an enchilada.  

Look - boat humor:

 

   

 Also, and this is really important for Rick’s stress level, we left our poop in Charleston.  No really, we finally got a pump out. I can stop hearing about how the ‘head’ gauge might be wrong.  Even tho it was clearly right…