While much of Beaufort, South Carolina was still asleep we called for the Ladies Island Bridge tender just north of our anchorage for an opening.  You could hear southern in the tender’s almost unintelligible drawl, but his hospitality was clear as a bell thanking us for coming to Beaufort. 

Flooding current and high tides helped us quickly get through some tricky spots on the  Coosaw, Ashepoo, South Edisto and Dawho Rivers along the ICW towards Charleston.  There were even some wide spots and wind for a bit of sailing.  When the current and tides began to ebb we made the decision to save Charleston for tomorrow.  Making good time put us past where we had intended to anchor, so we again took a look at where to spend the night, finally deciding on Steamboat Creek after reading the positive reviews and a good dock to take the dog ashore.  Two words describe this little tributary, absolute serenity.  Some say this was originally a plantation, and as we walked under the cool shade of huge live oak trees, with moss draped to the ground it was easy to imagine the activity of plantation life.  We have thoroughly enjoyed this detour away from the hurried activity of sightseeing. 

Ladies, you will love this just-like-home scenario.  This evening after eating Dennis needed ice for his drink so instead of drying the dishes, which were draining right where he needed to open the freezer, he restacked all the dishes to the side, then proceeded to get his ice.  To his credit though, he had washed the dishes. After wiping down the cockpit from the brief shower we’d had just minutes before, was finally able to sit sip his Denny Crane and smoke his cigar. After watching a dolphin at sunset come right up by the boat he commented and I agreed, ”It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

Ending our evening with Dennis drying the dishesJ and listening to the Family Radio hymn sing.