Saturday, December 05, 2009 S. Santee River Anchorage

South Santee River, SC (N33*08.777 W079*18.951) Rain/patchy drizzle 50degrees and falling to the 30s tonight. Winds NW 10-15 gusting to 25

It was quite a night last night. The wind generator kicked into operation around 11:00pm and I thought a motor yacht was pulling up next to us to anchor. It was loud enough to wake me out of a sound sleep! After dancing from port to port, half asleep, and not seeing anything I finally figured out it was the wind generator, and crawled back into bed. Then I woke up at 1:00am and thought it was time to get up. I lay there for a while in bed listening to the sound of the water rushing past the sides of the boat and the rain pelting the cabin top. When I got up and looked at the clock (flashlight in hand) I was shocked to see how early it was. For some reason, it felt like it was time to get up. That’s what I get for going to bed at 7:30. Time to go back to bed and snuggle into the warmth of the blankets and the captain.

At 2:00am the Coastguard crackled on the radio. “The Ben Sawyer bridge… blah blah blah… will be open until further notice”? What the heck does that mean? Then at 7:00am I finally got up and put the coffee on. Watched the catamaran leave, then the trawler pull out at 7:30am. They’re probably both heading to Charleston today (~50miles from here). We’re going to stay put and wait until tomorrow, head towards Dewee’s Creek tomorrow then Charleston the next day (weather permitting). Dewee’s is where we spent last Thanksgiving. Very strong currents but a nice place to anchor.

We sat around drinking coffee. Then I made grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwiches with green tea. The snubber keeps coming loose from the anchor and the chain keeps rattling against the bow roller as the wind keeps pushing the boat over the anchor and chain. Opposing wind and currents Yay… I started making out Christmas cards only to discover that I can’t find my address book. Oh no…. It seemed like such a good day to do this too.

The water levels in the river are quite high. I know there’s been a lot of flooding through the area and it appears that the Santee has been hit very hard. There are flood warnings all over the place for loggers and cattlemen. Usually if you look at the grass and surrounding riverbanks you can tell when you’ve reached high tide and low tide by the water stains. Even at high tide there’s usually some staining present from waves, but the levels I’m seeing at high tide show no stain and the crab pot floats are under water. I’ve heard that flood stage is at 10ft and I think the water level is now close to 12 ft and still rising.

Pictures of you, pictures of me, pictures of us sailing untroubled and free.

Blowing away, away from the land, to return once again to dance in the sand.

Dreams long ago gone, never meant to be; return now to us, to you and to me.

Pictures of you, pictures of me, pictures of us sailing buoyant and free.

Guess I'm feeling a little poetic tonight.

Kielbasa and noodles for dinner tonight.