Spring Fever vs. Corona Virus

South Santee River, SC to Supply, NC |  11.3 Hours  |  86 Miles 

While we slept in our peaceful anchorage, the locals descended upon Crossroads. When I went outside to raise the anchor, I was shocked to see that we were covered in bugs. I got the hook up then attempted to clean up the infestation. The Fuzzy Bills (aka blind mosquitoes/midges) swarmed, but did not bite, and quickly died. Most of their carcasses were washed away, but many spots will require plenty of elbow grease and cleanser to remove when we get home. Our morning was serene and we enjoyed watching the world go by. A first for us was seeing a floating swing bridge. Spotting an eagle is always a treat. Trees covered with Spanish moss lined the edge of the grasslands. The confluence of five rivers occurs in Georgetown. Technically we were just downstream the Yadkin River from my Winston-Salem.

At this point we started joking about our effort at social distancing. There was not another boat in sight for miles. Only the osprey watched us go by and most of the boats we saw were at anchor.

The trees were glowing with the vivid greens of new leaves. We began to notice floating sticks, boards and logs in the water and spent a lot of effort avoiding them. We came upon one seemingly innocent stick, watched it pass down our port side, and screamed as it flinched, splashed, and dove underwater. That stick was actually an alligator. Later on another stick turned into a large snake. Quickly thereafter, our commune with nature ended and small boats crowded into the waterway. At the Socastee Swing Bridge, traffic was heavy.

It was obvious that social distancing was not as important as enjoying an 80 degree March day -- the choice of spring fever vs. corona virus. Spring had sprung and the purple wisteria bloomed among the white flowers at the edge of the ICW. We were right in the middle of two outbreak hotspots as we entered the Myrtle Beach area.

Small boats zipped by and it took a lot of concentration to avoid them and stay in the channel. Glimpses of blooming azaleas on waterfront golf courses provided a moment of relaxation. Now that we've had to leave the Bahamas, I'm anxious to get home and enjoy all the colors of spring.

Grand houses and huge condos lined the water. We began judging infinity pools and hardscapes. This house won for best retaining wall. We were happy to see the Little River Swing Bridge and have it open for us without delay. Just on the other side, we turned into our destination anchorage at 4:00. We did not like what we saw -- too shallow and too many derelict boats -- so we turned around and decided to keep going, into North Carolina. For close to three hours we searched for a spot to anchor (none) or tie up (docks too small, too shallow, closed because of virus). Reaching a high level of frustration, we took a chance and asked a waterman if we could tie up at their dock overnight. He helped us tie up and we were most grateful to call this long day done.