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April Cruise Report: Notwithstanding the sad news that the locks at Lake Moultrie were broken and it would take three months to make the repairs, the April cruise turned out to be an outstanding and memorable event. Our Lake Hartwell cruisers came in on Friday and set up shop at various locations in Charleston. Some stayed in hotels and some remained on their boats. On Friday evening, they went via water taxi from Mt. Pleasant to the maritime center for a special surprise tour of the Spirit of South Carolina. Angie Wright and Steve Ireland were our hosts aboard the “Spirit” and the crowd was very excited as they toured this elegant vessel. At around 1830, off to dinner we went and arrived at the “Coast” restaurant in downtown Charleston. We had a little logistics issue (imagine that) relative to our reservation numbers but our perseverance paid off and 35 people were provided a great evening meal (except for 1). On Saturday morning, Harl and Betsy Porter in the Palmetto Elephant met up with the Lake Hartwell cruisers at the Charleston Harbor Marina and headed to Navigation Marker 90 on the Cooper River. Jim and Nancy Hackett in the Minnow met the flotilla at 0900 sharp and we traversed up the Cooper River as a group. We made much better time than last year and made the trip from Bushy Park to the Strawberry Bridge in about 50 minutes. No pit stops for the Lake Hartwell crew. They “get it” done! The bridge tender responded to our early arrival but believe it or not we had just one small problem, the bridge would not open. UGH! We all meandered around for a while and believe it or not, after much encouragement and making us take measurements, Harl Porter got brave and went under the Strawberry Bridge with plenty of clearance to spare. The bridge operator called me shortly after we proceeded up river and indicated that the bridge started working as soon as Harl cleared the bridge. I just love these Power Squadron challenges. We met Steve Ireland at Gilligan’s docks and secured all six boats. Jim Hackett had worked with the Gilligan’s management team to allow us to use their dock facilities for the remainder of the day and to spend the night as well. We loaded all of the baskets, food, coolers and people into several vehicles and made the quick run over to the Navy Recreation facility known as Short Stay. Dick Howells and Gary Whitley were hard at work getting the hamburgers and hotdogs ready for human consumption. The picnic was great. Volley ball games were in full force, classes on how to use flares were given, a past Commander ignited smoke upwind of the training session, and the crown jewel of the picnic was Betsy Porter’s famous German Chocolate cake. Her cake was UNBELEIVABLE! Not one piece was left. Everyone had a great time!!! As is normal in Charleston, a thunderstorm came up with a lot of wind so we ferried everyone back to Gilligan’s and to Charleston as well. As you can imagine, when the wind picked up, Gary Whitley quickly volunteered (begged) to take any Lake Hartwell cruisers back to Charleston and away he went like a Saturn rocket. Saturday night at Gilligan’s was well attended, we had 37 people and the dinner and camaraderie was wonderful. On Sunday morning, our Commander fixed breakfast for the folks who stayed at Short Stay and the Lake Hartwell Cruisers departed for home. Harl and Betsy Porter in the Palmetto Elephant, and Jim and Nancy Hackett in the Minnow, headed out at mid morning for the beautiful ride back to Charleston. We always seem to have a little drama on our cruises and this cruise was no different. Ask Harl about our rice fields and be sure to question Jim Hackett about our pluff mud. They both have a great story to tell and all I will say is: Thank goodness for TowBoat US! Despite the disappointment of not being able to go thru the locks, our Lake Hartwell cruisers had a marvelous time. They want us to do this again next year and I wholeheartedly agree. I do hope more of our membership will join us the next time as we traverse up the beautiful Cooper River, and into the vast boundaries of Lake Moultrie. You will have an opportunity to meet other Power Squadron members and to experience the “best kept secret” in the United States Navy -- Short Stay. See you on the water soon! Cruise Captains BJ Smith Angie Wright
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