Monday, October 31st, Halloween! Minim Creek anchorage

  We followed Bob and Jan in Jany K out into the ICW with Blue Planet after us.  Traversed the remote Waccamaw River where there had been huge rice plantations before the Civil War, but nothing remained of them.  Ships would come into the river with round ‘Belgian stones’ as ballast and would remove that along the banks to put in the rice.  None of the stones could be seen at high tide and most have been removed, some used in the cobblestone streets in Charleston.  We did see a bald eagle. 

  Through Winyaw Bay pass Georgetown where we heard on the VHF the anchorage was full, then into the Western Channel (no alligators—must be too cold) and a 90 degree right turn into Estherville Minim Creek Canal.  The anchoring was tricky with the north wind in one direction and the current in the other.  Ken said the anchor was sitting side saddle.

  The batteries weren’t charging and Ken had to replace a broken wire on the alternator.  It was very cold and windy outside but toasty inside because I made porkchops and steamed veggies.