April 24, 2022
Leaving Osprey Marina on our way to Coquina, we enjoyed all of our bridge passes until we approached the Barefoot Resort Bridge located at Mile Marker 353 in North Myrtle Beach. It opens on the hour and we were right on time. As Gord hails the bridge master, he is told that they are currently repairing an electrical issue on the bridge and to stand by. There is a significant current here, but Gord is able to hold Holy Cow steady. When the bridge master responds, she tells us the bridge will be inoperable for a considerable amount of time and suggested we put down our antennae and outriggers to pass through. We've done this before, so it's doable in only a few minutes. The bridge vertical clearance is 31' at the current tide level. Gord has measured the height of Holy Cow, but for weeks, he keeps reminding himself he should double check his numbers. Cruising under this bridge could be doable without going through the process of lowering the fishing gear if Gord's measurements are, in fact, correct.
I offer to go through the hatch of the hard top and stand on the very top of Holy Cow. If Gord wants to approach the bridge slowly, I should be able to gage as we near it if the gear will clear the bridge. Although, the outriggers do angle back significantly so the perspective is a little off and harder to gage than if they were straight up and down. Gord hails the bridge master, there is no oncoming boat traffic, so he advises her that we will approach the bridge slowly to see if we can clear it as we are.
Up through the hatch I go. If Gord wants to rid himself of me, this is one of the opportunities to do so as I stand on the very top of Holy Cow with nothing to hold on to. He approaches the bridge with caution and I give him a play by play of our perceived clearance. I have to admit, my heart was racing a little. As the bow passes under the bridge, the helm is next and it is apparent that the antennae will clear with no issues. We guesstimate that the outriggers stand about 18" taller than the antennae, so I watch carefully as they near the bridge. I mean, we are sort of committed now, no matter what the outcome. Fortunately, Gord's measurements were accurate to some degree and we cruised under the bridge with a little room to spare. Gord hails the bridge master to bid them a good day, and we continued on our way to Coquina, now with the absolute knowledge that we will fit under a vertical bridge clearance of 31 feet.
When we arrive at Coquina Yacht Club, the owner of the marina was there to greet us and catch our lines. He was a crusty bugger and hard to crack a smile out of. If you know Gord, he has a knack of getting people to chat, so it wasn't long until the tension eased and we were filled in on the amenities at hand and what was within walking distance. We were told there was a Circle K and a McDonald's just up the hill passed the Dockmaster's Office. A Circle K and a McDonalds!? Neither of these we frequent often back home, but we've been so removed from any land amenities that it's odd to hear of two convenience places within walking distance.
We walk up to Circle K to get some milk which is about the only thing we are in need of. The kids, of course, talk us into a treat each. Tonight is the night we decide to make our surf and turf dinner and it does not disappoint! The kids weren't sold on the shrimp (yet) but the salad and steak are devoured. We fill our Unabridged glasses with a little red wine and toast to boating, family and Unabridged, among other things. We miss Unabridged, but Holy Cow has become our home away from home and we absolutely love her.
In the morning, Gord has a conference call. Immediately after, we need to be on our way. The kids and I go to the marina store to pick up some boat soap Gord would like. Then we decide to go to McDonalds to bring back breakfast for Gord. What a treat that is!! The kids get pancakes and bacon/sausage and we get a breakfast sandwich combo for Gord. It's so odd to walk back to the boat with McDonalds in hand. When we arrive, Gord is mid-call. The kids scarf down their pancakes and Gord eats his combo. When the call is done, the engines are started and we pull away from the dock under completely calm conditions.
On the way out, we pass Little River Inlet. A place that looks like it would have been a decent anchorage and an amazing place for the dogs to run off leash and the kids to play. But, we don't know what we don't know, and it is impossible to get everything right in the unknown. We admire it as we pass as a small missed opportunity and head out to the deep blue for an ocean side run to Deep Point Marina.
The log from Osprey to Coquina Yacht Club here.
Just reading about the bridge pass was a nail-biter. Can’t imagine in real life. Glad it was a success! 🙌
I love this blog so much by it’s first few lines. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to read about your encounter of a crusty old gent. They’ve lived life. They aim to live each day cocooned. But let someone test their crust as Gord did, it’s a respect Gord will have earned that others would shy from.