Interesting Travel Day

Four turtles greeted me as George pumped fuel.  I could just get three in the photo.
Their heads are the shiny circles sticking above water.

We got diesel fuel and a pump out this morning and left Osprey Marina at 9:05 am.  The diesel price was terrific:  $2.36/gallon.  This is at least $0.60/gallon less than George had seen elsewhere. As soon as we pulled out into the waterway, the rain began.  It was straight down and soft.  But rain again!  This is day #8 of rain or mist.  We were following Jacqueline, a trawler that had been docked beside us.  We had two low swing bridges to call and ask for openings, so we wanted to stay close to Jacqueline, so we could go through those together.  Being the second boat to arrive just after a bridge has closed is not a good position, and bridge keepers appreciate boaters' working together.

Besides the two swing bridges, we saw a few other odd sights today.  Golfers were out on two courses playing in the rain.  Cable cars went overhead as we passed Myrtle Beach.

Cable cars over the ICW.  

We heard a report from the Coast Guard of a floating dock in the middle of the waterway.  Then just north of mile 355, we spied the dock.  It was dangerous.  Two guys on jet skis were trying to corral it to no avail.  They needed some rope.

We went around the dock safely.

Finally, we passed through the Rock Pile, a skinny section of the ICW that looked worrisome when we reviewed our charts.  If we had met another boat, we would have been at risk for running up on the rocky sides.  Since we were out on a rainy Saturday, we were pretty much alone.   

We are now at Lightkeepers Marina north of Myrtle Beach.  The dock master was so kind and polite.  After tying our lines and showing us around, she offered to drive us to the store.  We went last night, so we declined.  The sun is out, so we are off for a walk. 

Tall grasses along the waterway.