Charleston to Isle Of Palms SC

Well, we're off!  Down the Ashley River, across Charleston Bay and onto the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW).  The day was cloudy but warm (80's) and the sun eventually did shine.  We traveled only about 30 miles today as we really wanted to stop at the Isle of Palms marina for the night. We had been to the older, more historic island: Sullivan's Island to see Fort Moultrie last time; but had heard how beautiful this recently developed island is and wanted to see it.  Besides, there is a great restaurant with live music tonight and it sounded like fun.

The pictures of Charleston from the bay didn't turn out well as it was cloudy but the views of the battery were still beautiful... and we saw DOLPHINS!  Hopefully we'll see more and get pictures next time!

Restaurant here at the IOP marina... Live music this evening!

 Surprisingly we were guest docked next to another boat from Las Vegas NV!  What are the chances of two boats on the dock in SC from Las Vegas?  Pretty good, our neighbors told us that last year when they were here at this marina there were actually three boats from Las Vegas!  Unlike our boat which trailered here, these boats were purchased here on the East Coast somewhere but the people live (or used to live) in LV.  Our dock neighbors recently sold their house and live on their 42ft Hunter Sailboat (with two storage units: one in NC and one in FL).  They divide their time between their storage units traveling up and down the coast and enjoying the cruising life.

Today was the first annual "corn hole" tournament here at the IOP Marina.  Corn Row is some kind of game, similar to horseshoes except you throw some kind of burlap bags into wooden platform, shooting for a hole.

The sun actually came out about 3pm and we decided to take our bikes to the beach (Atlantic side) and around the golf course... very fun!

 Typical $3-4 million dollar homes at the beach. We decided we want one!

Rob planning the next legs of our trip.

On the way back from the beach, we took a neighborhood side street just to check out the "average" homes (not on the ocean beach or on the ICW or the golfcourse).  Still very large homes and very beautiful. We saw a sight seldom seen in captivity: but I couldn't get a picture... sorry!  Two very tan, very fit young ladies riding skate boards through the neighborhood... in very skimpy thong bikinis. (Don't their butts get sunburn?)  Rob was happy we chose that side street.

After our bike ride, the band at the restaurant was starting up.  We were treated to live music (two different bands with very different playsets) all evening.  We pulled our lawnchairs out onto the dock and joined our neighbors for great boat stories,beer and wine, and live music until 10pm.  A great day!
Isle of Palms, SC