Saturday & Sunday, May 30-31
Church Creek to Charleston
19.2 nm – 4 hours underway
After a busy week, we were both excited about the possibility of sleeping in. Naturally, because we had the opportunity to sleep in, neither of us really did.
Fortunately, we didn’t need an early start. The run to Charleston was less than 20 miles, and timing would be everything. Charleston is known for some challenging currents, particularly through Elliott’s Cut and around the marina itself. We knew we needed to hit the currents at the right time, which meant there was no reason to leave before 10:30 a.m.
Rather than waste the extra time, we took advantage of a slow morning to tackle some projects aboard. The idea was simple: get the chores done now so we could fully enjoy our time in Charleston once we arrived.
Our delayed departure also gave us a perfect sendoff. As we made our way out, dolphins appeared around the boat. At one point we counted at least five, possibly more, surfacing and playing nearby. It felt like they were wishing us safe travels.
Although the trip itself was short, we both had some anxiety about navigating the currents and docking in Charleston. Little did we know, things were about to get even more interesting.
We made it through Elliott’s Cut without any issues, despite fairly heavy boat traffic. As we approached the marina, we hailed them for docking instructions and waited while a 100-plus-foot yacht docked ahead of us.
Then, we got the news…”You’ll be docking behind mega yacht Jule.”
If you’re not familiar with Charleston’s Mega Dock, it’s an impressive sight. Stretching nearly a mile in length, it can accommodate vessels up to 400 feet long. Seeing so many massive yachts gathered in one place was surreal. Most were being delivered north for the season by professional crews.
Even more surprising was spotting Catalina, a yacht that had been in St. Simons Island during our stay there. The cruising world can feel surprisingly small at times.
The numbers associated with these vessels are equally staggering. During one walk down the dock, we passed a fuel receipt showing a bill of over $13,000. And that was just one fueling stop.
Once the boat was safely secured, we did what most visitors to Charleston do—we shopped, ate, and drank our way through the city.
We didn’t have much of a plan for Saturday, which turned out to be both a blessing and a curse. Between fatigue and the stress of the day’s arrival, neither of us seemed capable of making decisions. We started with a cozy wine bar on King Street, followed by the obligatory rooftop cocktail with views of the city.
Eventually hunger won out, and we made the easy choice to eat at the restaurant next to the marina. It wasn’t the most memorable meal of the trip, and the atmosphere left a little to be desired, but it filled the need. After dinner, we headed back to the boat early and called it a night.
Sunday was a different story.
Determined to avoid another day of indecision, we made a plan and started with brunch at High Cotton, one of Charleston’s well-known restaurants. We’ve discovered that brunch and lunch are excellent ways to experience some of the city’s higher-end restaurants without paying dinner prices.
Heather ordered shrimp and grits—minus the shrimp—while Kevin opted for the prime rib omelet. Naturally, he couldn’t pass up a beignet for dessert. And because it was brunch, a mimosa flight was a must!
After brunch, we wandered through the City Market before making our way to The Griffon, a spot recommended by both Bill and Elizabeth as well as the Charleston Harbor Host. It proved to be a great stop and a perfect place to relax for a while.
We thought our Charleston adventures were winding down for the day.
Then we walked past The Gin Joint.
Back in 2011, we visited Charleston shortly after The Gin Joint opened, and somehow the experience had stuck with us ever since. We’ve talked about it numerous times over the years, so when we realized we were standing right in front of it, stopping wasn’t really optional.
The cocktails were every bit as good as we remembered. The mixologists create true craft cocktails, balancing flavors with creativity and precision. It quickly became one of the highlights of our weekend.
Eventually, reality called. After a quick Target run to restock provisions, we returned to the boat and settled in early.
Monday would be both a workday and a travel day, and after a weekend filled with dolphins, mega yachts, great food, and memorable cocktails, we were ready for whatever came next.
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