Charleston, SC

Thursday – Wednesday, 13 – 19 November                        10.4 SM            $$$

A handy-man’s special lies to anchor just off the channel, showing her potential.

Now this is what it’s all about: sunshine, 70 degrees, light wind and—with just a ten-mile jaunt ahead—a most civilized departure time. Well, the latter, in truth, had more to do with catching a fair current and an opening of the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Regardless, it’s a real treat to enjoy such a relaxed day.

The warmth won’t last. Weather wonks have warned for a week of Winter Storm Astro. No matter where a body is in the eastern US, it’ll be cold tomorrow and for days to come. That includes Charleston, South Carolina, which by all rights should be a balmy seventy this coming week but won’t be close.

The “Holy City” seen through the haze across the river.

As if to portend the impending doom of frost, the sky becomes overcast as the sun slips behind thickening clouds. Steadfast slips through the swing of the Sawyer Bridge, bends around the last bit of the waterway that leads to Charleston Harbor, within range of Fort Sumpter and then a couple of miles up the Cooper River past Fort Pinckney to Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina.

Steadfast moored under the bow of the carrier Yorktown.

The “Resort” part is a bit of a stretch but it is a nice spot. Of the half-dozen options in Charleston, this seemed best under the circumstances, tucked away from the nor’easter in the lee of Mount Pleasant and somewhat protected by a breakwater from the wakes of passing ships (of which there are quite a few on the Cooper; big ones, at all hours, day and night). There’s also the lure of catching up—again—with Two Fish (twofishcat.com) and friends Gail and Jason, already moored at CHRM.

It blows stink for a couple of days—upper teens to mid-20s, gusting as high as the 40s—with a shower here and there, then a full day of rain (see Two Fish video at https://vine.co/v/O5EtlaiavIE). In other words, not conditions in which Steadfast is underway. Nor does any of that drear improve one’s sense of warmth. What does work—overtime—is the little ceramic heater plugged in by the companionway, keeping the cabin all comfy below while the wind whistles above.

The Cooper current is strong.

These days are put to good use, however. The hotel has a free shuttle downtown and elsewhere including a Whole Foods two miles away. Steadfast now is well-provisioned.

A boat service business keeps an office at CHRM and was called on to check the shaft alignment (engine settled on those new rubber mounts), replace the 17-year-old batteries (not many options ‘tween here and Jacksonville) and do an oil change. Steadfast now is well-serviced.

And thanks to the shuttle, a run also was made to two outdoor clothiers. The crew of Steadfast now is better equipped to take on the elements as they stand watch.

The checking account now has been lightened considerably. A week in Charleston is almost more than Steadfast and crew can weather. The forecast calls for the sun to provide a measure of radiant heat tomorrow. God willin’, she’ll be underway again by mid-morning.

Steadfast out.