Day 179-180- 3/31/24-4/1/24

Starting location: Anchorage by Pinckney Island, SC. Just West of MM 553 AICW.

Weather: 54 am, 80 pm, partly cloudy – Sunday 3/31. 61 am, 80 pm, thin cloud cover with sunbreaks – Monday 4/1.

Ending location: Ladys Island Marina, Beaufort, SC. Near MM 536 AICW.

Statute miles: 21 miles

General summary: Motored to the town of Beaufort, SC (pronounced bew-fert). Interestingly, there is also a town called Beaufort in North Carolina (pronounced boh-fert there). We did a walking tour around downtown and through the historic district. Many stately mansions with interesting stories.

Most moving was the story of Robert Smalls who became a freed slave after distinguished military service in the Civil War and ended up buying the house of his former master, then became a US Congressman.

Some homes date back to the 1700s. A few were turned into hospitals and bakeries during the Civil War.

Also stuff from the Revolutionary War.

Stopped in a cafe and had a South Carolina specialty, “She Crab Soup”. It is a crab bisque historically made from the meat and roe of female crabs. I’m guessing this is no longer the case as most places prohibit the harvesting of female crabs. It was delicious! Tom had fried chicken, which is also done well here. I’m not sure what they use for the coating, but it was perfectly thick and not too crunchy.

Boater information: Lady’s Island Marina is across the waterway from downtown Beaufort. We were advised that there was less wake disturbance at this location and we could dinghy over to downtown. The downtown marina (Safe Harbor Beaufort) didn’t look too bad for wake when we passed it, but the boats on the mooring balls probably have a hard time. Lady’s Island Marina has good floating wooden docks, power, water, bathrooms, showers, laundry, a free loaner car. No gas. There is quite a current so try to dock near slack tide. They offer dockhand help. The dinghy ride to Beaufort was fine when we did it, about a mile, but could be difficult in bad weather.