Sliding Kingfisher into the water at high tide was different that Sunday morning. The local news would report “sunny day flooding” in Charleston, with a number of downtown streets closed due to the king tides. At the landing, the astronomical high tide pushed water onto mowed areas above the marsh, and inverted the ramp to the floating dock.
Sailing to windward north in the Intracoastal Waterway, I passed the entrance to Venning Creek, and remembered a tiny creek allowing access to that passage at high tide. It had been years since I used that creeklet, and I sailed past a couple of dredge spoil hammocks before heading into the flooded marsh. The wetland was inundated throughout, and I recalled past sails through flooded North Carolina Spartina marshes.
The tide was falling as I entered Venning Creek and the outlet to Bulls Bay.
The marine forecast had prepared me for a stronger northeast wind, and the broad reach down the Bay was smooth. Despite the high tide, I gave a wide berth to the marsh edge to avoid an oyster bar I crashed into a few months ago. Due to the lumpy nature of the Bay with the NE breeze and an offshore tropical system, there was only a boat or two in the open water despite it being the peak of the shrimp baiting season. The majority of boats were staying in the protected creeks.
As I approached the entrance to Anderson Creek, my passage home, I sought to stay clear of the unseen point on the northern side, and had to stay further off when I found myself running through the submerged tops of Spartina. Several outboards were heading out to take a look at the Bay, and then turning around due to the rough waters. At the confluence of the strong outgoing creek flow and the Bay’s swell, the waves were steep, confused, and jumbled together.
These were conditions I knew from many years of sailing Carolina inlets, and experiencing the ebbing waters meeting the sea swells. I had sought out these waves for surfing in various sailboats (Laser, Hobie) in the past. Feeling a strengthening of the northeast wind and noticing the appearance of some blue sky, I steered Kingfisher into the waves and worked to drop in on a swell. After several rides, I jibed to head into the wave epicenter.
I soon found I had an audience – an outboard that had turned to leave the Bay and was on the same course. Their wake added to the waves which I also turned on. There were actual cheers at times as I continued playing on the swells.
Thanks to Adam Berkowitz for photo sharing
Finally passing into the the quieter waters of the creek mouth, the outboard came by and offered to send me photos they had taken of the action. I shouted my phone number and thanks.
Did the photos match the feelings I experienced in the waves? Actually, no. Those heightened sensations were embedded in many years of encountering that natural phenomenon. While I have pulled back from seeking the breaking inlets and shoals at the meeting of the ocean and barrier island inlets, this wave action met my needs, and will be a place I revisit.
That’s a great photo of you in the Kingfisher!!!! Thanks to the friendly fellow boaters!!!
Yes I like friendly boaters, and appreciated that audience.
Great sail Bob and KINGFISHER !!
Have to give Kingfisher love at times, so ordered some new parts the day after the sail. When I took the rudder off, the pin holding it to the boat sheared off. Salt water is both wonderful and corrosive.
I tasted the salt, felt the wind, and experienced the enormity of the body of water which you choose to place all around you. It felt uncertain but encouraged me to get back down there and explore. Good stuff!
Oh it was good stuff Scott!
Thanks for sharing. I felt as if I were there and that luckily you were the skipper.
We’ll get out there some day.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story Bob! Like others said- I love feeling like I am out there with you (without getting wet :)).
Oh come on, the water has not gotten cold yet, and no need for winter gear at this time.
Nice post. Your writing style takes the reader along for the ride. Hope you are doing well. Took my brother in-law and his wife to Bulls Island back in early May. Walked the “new” dike I guess you’d call it from observation tower all the way to boneyard. Many, many alligators. I don’t think the young lady was expecting quite the number of reptile friends that we saw.
That is one of the great walks on the island now – so glad you were able to do it. It is the new “alligator alley” – very gator dense.
A fun read as always Bob. Looking forward to seeing you out there again soon.
Heh Capt. where you been? Running the Tasmanian ferry? Yes, look forward to seeing you out in the Cape Romain creeks.
Always a treat to read about your adventures. No holding back for you and Kingfisher. Great another boater caught the action.
We were happy to see you walking in the hood recently. Bill said, I miss talking with Bob. I said you’ll be starting another project soon. But still we need to see more of you to catch up!♥️♥️