Osprey Marina Myrtle Beach

We were up and ready to leave Awanaw Creek at exactly 7:00 am; one hour before high tide. Once again, we timed our travel with the tides. The waterway was calm and quiet but the ICW was full of dolphins. Pelicans swooped and dove around us, focused on their next meal. The gorgeous scenery created reflections along the waterway which demanded our attention. These calm quiet mornings are a treat for us.

Cool floating swing bridge used to cross the ICW

Floating swing bridge connects here

 

Actual swing bridge (ferry) that swings into place for crossings

We arrived at McClellanville a little after 8:00, seeing depths as low as 10 feet in the cut. This means that low tide would be only 3-4 feet of water. Mystic draws 5'6"; therefore, we would not have been able to pass through here at low tide. Our planning was perfect. The hard part of our day was over; we only see shoaling warnings ahead. We are able to relax, but just a little.

Our plan was to pass Georgetown and anchor at a thoroughfare along the Waccamaw river. When we arrived, it was far too busy and full of "go fast" boats. The water was a jumble of competing currents and wakes. If we tried to anchor here we'd have no peace and we would be rocking all night with a risk of dragging anchor! In addition, these are the exact circumstances that cause Mystic to spin on anchor. We have learned to avoid this!

The Waccamaw River lined by Cypress trees. This is a fresh water river with many creeks and little bays branching off of it. It's not hard to see why it's so popular with boaters. The water is a deep dark coffee color.

Dark coffee colored water

Waccamaw River Abstract

415 ICW miles to go...

 Anchored Schooner

Due to the conditions, we decided to continue on to Osprey Marina. Debbie and Steve, aboard Delphinea, recommended we stop there. We made a reservation but are a day early for that; so Dave called ahead and secured a spot for the night. The last couple hours of our journey went slowly as we fought the strong current and the many boats that flew past us, swamping our forward motion. As always, we smiled and waved as they passed by.

We arrived at Osprey marina after 11 hours on the water. We turned east up the narrow entrance channel then took a right into a tiny boat basin where we saw the dockhand waving us to our slip at E4. It's very secluded inside the basin. Technically, we are in Socastee, North Carolina; but this entire area is part of Myrtle Beach. We are only six miles from Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet.

The long, narrow entrance channel to Osprey Marina

We needed to provision so we got the folding bikes out and mapped the course to the closest store. We began our ride into town and discovered a field of goats along the entrance road to Osprey Marina. Two goats had made their way out of the fenced field. It looked like they jumped between the barbed wire and electrical wire to get at the fresh grass on the outside. We enjoyed watching their antics. Of course, I had to take photos. 

 

The bike ride into town was harrowing. The roads were narrow with no shoulder. The speed limit was 45, which meant the cars were whipping past us at 55 mph, barely giving us room to the right. We managed to arrive safely, grab the few things we needed and make the trip back without incident. It was a stressful trip though!

Osprey Marina basin is home to turtles that swim up to the boats for a handout. Dave was drinking coffee in our cockpit when a herd of turtles approached. They must see our shadow on the water. We fed them and laughed as they competed with the fish below for the crumbs. One small turtle raced up to a larger one and used quick swings with it's fat little legs to slap the larger one into retreat. It looked like the "slap face" competitions we did as kids.

 

We are able to explore all around the marina on foot. We hiked the long entrance channel docks, out to the ICW. The dock sits along a cypress swamp dense with pines. Terns and blue birds visit the purple marten feeders. It is a beautiful area, quiet and serene.

Marina flagpole

Compass Rose

Osprey Marina

Clay feeders

Long dock along entrance channel

Swampy pine forest surrounding Osprey Marina

We need to leave Mystic here for a week while we drive home to Minnesota to take care of some business. We look forward to seeing our family and friends for this quick visit. When we return, Debbie and Steve will be here aboard Delphinea. We can't wait to see them again!