Two days of rain give way to two days of brilliant sun!

After leaving the small community of McClellanville, we motored the intracoastal partly in the rain to a creek north of Isle of Palm. The only other boat was CAVU who had been anchored there during all the rain yesterday. We were off by ourselves and enjoyed the birds visiting the oyster bank which was next to us. The marsh is not all that pretty until the sun comes out and blues skies visit which is exactly what happened. 

One lonely pelican.

American Oyster Catchers preening and sampling.

 

Sunshine and blue skies make a world of difference in the marshes.

We enjoyed watching the typical terns and few seagulls, but the one pelican was funny to watch as well as all the American Oyster Catchers. (How fast does an oyster move that they have to be caught????)

Sunrise in the marshes.

We enjoyed a peaceful evening in the marsh and were welcomed by a pretty sunrise as we left the creek and entered the ICW.

When we reached the Ben Sawyer drawbridge for the 9am opening there were at least 12-13 boats waiting to go through. I really don't know from where they all came. We all got through and once into Charleston harbor we headed in all different directions. We headed for a marina we had never tried before, The Charleston Maritime Center. 

Charleston Maritime Center

 It is a very small marina with only space for about 12-15 boats. We had called ahead for a reservation and were lucky enough to get one. We found it convenient for a grocery story and for walking to town. The staff were helpful and friendly and we will come back if the wind conditions are good. It would not be the best in an east or southeast brisk wind. You do get some roll from the large ships that pass by, but it is quiet at night.  Also there is a beautiful view of the cabled-stayed Arthur Ravenal Jr. Bridge from the marina.

The beautiful cable-stayed bridge in Charleston along with the palmetto trees for which SC is known.

Al checking a menu inside "Amen" restaurant.

Cavu had reservations as well and when we got there, Simple Life was already there since they had gone off shore. One of the first things was going to Harris Teeters for some groceries we needed. We were told that Thursdays are senior citizen days and you get an extra 5% off, so why not take advantage? After lunch we walked into town with Ron and Maryann to see the action. We checked out various restaurants for future meals,

  my favorite cooking store,

and of course the Market. 

This market has just about everything!

The men made it barely inside the market and then decided it wasn't for them and walked back to the marina while Maryann and I did lots of window shopping with a few purchases as well. Al went back and changed the oil, so I was glad not to be around. When I returned I threw two loads of laundry around 4pm. It is free which is quite unusual, but unfortunately, one of the machines took over an hour and fifteen minutes to fill and wash. It was suppose to close at 5pm but luckily the guy left us in until about 6:10pm when we went back to the boat with towels that were almost dry!

Maryann and Ron were meeting their friends who stayed at Charleston City Marina downtown for dinner, so we met them at the restaurant that they had selected called Tbonz Gill & Grill. It had very good, prime rib, steaks and ribs. Tbonz is also connected to Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe next door and so we ended the night on Cavu for dessert and the Sandeman port we learned to enjoy in Portugal this summer. The bourbon pecan pie was delicious as well as the port!

Our second day in Charleston we visited the Visitors Center 

One of the largest sweet grass baskets I have ever seen!

Al checking some photos out.

 and watched a movie on the history of Charleston as well visited a small railroad museum which explained the role it played in history as well.  We also went to the free Fort Sumtner National Monument near the marina. 

The monument is free which is like a museum inside.

Besides learning about the fort and Charleston history, we saw how rice looks grown, and learned there is such a utensil as a rice spoon!

Rice, once sown.

They say the wooden spoon was for the poor (I have one of those, and the silver for the wealthy!)

 It was a picture perfect weather day so we chose to walk all around town admiring the beautiful architecture and gardens on many of the side streets. 

Such southern loveliness!

Wouldn't be in Charleston without a carriage!

After enjoying lunch in town we came back to the marina to get a few chores done. A boat from our marina, with whom we were once boat neighbors, Island Spirit, with Raydeen and Hayden on board was in the marina. They had invited us for happy hour with the men going to Cavu and the ladies to Island Spirit since it would have been too crowded for all of us on one boat. It was a nice get together sharing ideas and knowledge about places we have been. Afterward, we went back to the boat for a light dinner, a little TV and then to bed.

Halloween morning I awoke and decided to get my 2-3mi. walk in before breakfast and when I went outside the sky was just phenomenal. 

It doesn't look real but I took the picture!

Some of you might have seen this photo I posted on Facebook but I know many do not do Facebook. The other thing that surprised me was all the action in the harbor. A cruise ship was leaving, a container ship was heading right for the marina basin and turned sharply just before it got there to head up to a dock not too far away. 

I was standing on the dock next to our boat to take this.  A bit scary!!!

 Another small cruise ship came in and anchored out in the harbor waiting there turn to get to the dock once Splendor of the Seas left. Charleston is a busier place than I thought!

We left at almost slack tide around 10:15am to leave the marina and head south for a stay in the marshes again. Once again a very peaceful night. We are onto Beaufort, SC for a day or two.