Northward

 4/15- Lady’s Island to Church Creek (outside of Charleston)

   We waited patiently for the tide to change before we left this morning. That also gave us some time to say goodbye to our friends Mike and Ivy. After that it was back on the road or rather waterway again. Today was a pleasant trip through mostly undeveloped shorelines. We went past Camp Lejune which is an army training camp. Then we wound are way through various cuts and channels. We did have a long crossing of St Helena Sound. I think it was close to 10 miles we spent in the sound. 

    At one point we came across a pod of dolphins just lolling about on the surface. It was really hot in the sun and I think they were sunning themselves. They merely looked up as we went by and barely managed to get out of the way of the boat. I also watched one of the cormorants catch a rather large fish and just fling his head back and swallow it whole. The cool thing was I could see the fish flopping even when it was in his stomach. 

     It is interesting that a lot of the terns and pelicans and even the dolphins hang around and wait for the boats. As the boats go by, especially the big trawlers, they churn up the water and the smaller fish get thrown out of their schools. Then the birds swoop down and make an easier meal of them. 

    Church Creek is a pretty anchorage just off the ICW. On one side is the standard salt marsh but on the other the shore is all tree lined. This offers some wind protection out of the south. It’s pretty dark here but I can still see the red and green flashing lights on the buoys. It is quiet though. 

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