Navigating in the fourth dimension

Yep that is what we did today. Not only do we have to worry about the 2 dimensional track on a chart but we have to consider both the depth of the water and the clearance under the bridges. Normal the high rise bridges guarantee at least 65' clearance no mater the tide condition but couple in the flood waters here and that clearance is less. So as we approach bridges we have to read the clearance boards and decide to pass or not. All of these conditions are dependent on the tide which follows the time of day -- thus the fourth dimension.

We did well today and passed several very troublesome areas -- the worst being Lockwood Folly Inlet and Shalotte inlet and even Little river inlet was cause for concern. We timed our trip to pass each of these on rising mid time or later, and in the case of the infamous Rock Pile through Myrtle Beach we transited at high tide.

No magic to the procedure. Just time passage to mid tide or later and follow the set navigation marks that you see and not the magenta line on the chart. Now the toll -- I'm whipped tonight after this 45 mile trip today.

Tomorrow we head to Georgetown, SC. Probably anchor behind Butlers Island then decide what to do. The tide timing will be TERRIBLE for the next few days. Low is 11:30am tomorrow and 12:30am the n ext day - etc -- moves about an hour a day. For the next areas after Georgetown we need the high/rising tide to traverse several areas. With the low in mid day that cancels movement for 2 hours either side or just real short travel days.

It's only 43 miles between entrance to Georgetown's Winyah bay and Charleston so we could do that in daylight hours Wednesday if out front conditions will be mild -- will see otherwise we will have to do something else which might mean to just stay put for a few days.

We are tied up to the Barefoot Marina at BArefoot landing. It is nice but very large. We are on an outside dock which is a quarter mile to the bathroom showers and the internet does not work out here. Bummer...

They had plenty of room here tonight because a huge group of boats left today once the Socastee Bridge opened yesterday. They said they had been completely full for 5 days until today.

It's off to Georgetown for us tomorrow. The tide will not be an issue on this leg as long as we get past the Socastee bridge at less than mid tide. The high rise bridge after it had 56' clearance yesterday and 59 today. I need 57.

Boy I'm going to sleep good tonight.