After leaving Charleston we headed north on the ICW and made great time riding with the tide. (great time for a trawler is about 9 knots :-) We stayed in Belle Isle marina which is about a 10 minute cab ride into Georgetown (the picture featured is along the Georgetown waterfront). We had Rudy, the cab driver (who I think is also the Mayor) drop us off at the Chamber of Commerce. There we met two lovely ladies who were happy to give us maps & magazines and directed us to The Swamp Fox Tours down the main street. We met Rose Mary, our guide and we were the only 2 on the last tour of the day so we really got the royal treatment. Rose Mary was a wonderful story teller; sharing yarns about William Doyle Morgan, Frances Marion, Mary Man and my favorite: Theodosia Burr Alston. Theodosia set sail for New York to visit her father only to never be seen again; it is suspected she was taken over by pirates, probably Blackbeard...most of Rose Mary's stories began with "Legend has it..." which of course, I believe them all completely; especially the ghost stories, of which Georgetown is filled! Thank you Rose Mary, you are one of Georgetown's priceless treasures and one of the nicest people we've met on our trip.
Yesterday's cruise up The Waccamaw River was possibly the most beautiful ride of our trip so far. For several miles up the river we looked for old Plantations, which over a century ago dotted the shoreline. It was obvious why rice was such a profitable crop. One segment in particular, where we went about 20 miles and rarely saw another boat, left us completely in awe. There is very little development along this trek, only the hand of God directs the flow of this mystical river. The water is as dark as black tea and the cypress trees grow right out of the water along the edge. We saw osprey nests by the dozens...water birds by the hundreds...lily pads by the thousands. As far as you can see this primordial forest stretches out in every direction. At times it was narrow and winding, always it was romantic and inspiring. We rode against the tide, which was a blessing, as it literally forced us to take our time and breathe in this magical place.
Soon after leaving Waccamaw River and getting back on the ICW homes, condos and golf courses started springing up everywhere...I got a big kick out of a sign on one home's backyard that had one arrow pointing north which read: "New York 657 miles" and one arrow pointing south which read, "Miami 720 miles"...Wow! We are more than half way to New York Harbor!
Yesterday's cruise up The Waccamaw River was possibly the most beautiful ride of our trip so far. For several miles up the river we looked for old Plantations, which over a century ago dotted the shoreline. It was obvious why rice was such a profitable crop. One segment in particular, where we went about 20 miles and rarely saw another boat, left us completely in awe. There is very little development along this trek, only the hand of God directs the flow of this mystical river. The water is as dark as black tea and the cypress trees grow right out of the water along the edge. We saw osprey nests by the dozens...water birds by the hundreds...lily pads by the thousands. As far as you can see this primordial forest stretches out in every direction. At times it was narrow and winding, always it was romantic and inspiring. We rode against the tide, which was a blessing, as it literally forced us to take our time and breathe in this magical place.
Soon after leaving Waccamaw River and getting back on the ICW homes, condos and golf courses started springing up everywhere...I got a big kick out of a sign on one home's backyard that had one arrow pointing north which read: "New York 657 miles" and one arrow pointing south which read, "Miami 720 miles"...Wow! We are more than half way to New York Harbor!
We arrived in Myrtle Beach last night and went to dinner with Chip's cousin Jack. We decided to stay on again today and are hoping to see a few more cousins...and maybe get a massage (I might as well take advantage of civilization, no?)
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1 comment:
So glad I got to see you guys. I love the dolphins and the manatees. Have a great trip!
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