We anchored just in front of the USS Yorktown, the aircraft carrier turned Naval and Maritime Museum that is in the water on the Cooper River just across from the Charleston Maritime Center.

The Maritime Center, with their many services has a dinghy dock available that they charge $5/day for. And many times this fee is just waved away by staff. If we had a stronger dinghy motor we might end up anchoring out but our plan is usually to anchor here and then to wait until Slack Tide when we can move to the maritime center, much like we do in St. Augustine Florida.

This time was no different. We anchored, relaxed, had a good night’s sleep, then went across the water during the morning slack tide at 9:00am.

We prefer the Charleston Maritime Center for many reasons. Cost is a good one since they are rather inexpensive, and they offer free unlimited laundry, and are walking distance to everything downtown.

Downtown Charleston

Downtown Charleston is simply beautiful, well worth the stop even if only for a short visit. We’ve stayed as long as three weeks and never get bored. I do my best to find my way to Second State Coffee on Beaufain St. Which is where all the cool kids bring their laptops to do their homework. The walk is pleasant but I prefer the more rapid bike or scooter method.

Another mandatory walk is through the shops on King Street. No shops in particular,, just all of them. And of course, the Charleston City Market is fun to explore..

Our time in the city this time was a bit of boat maintenance, some repair, and not one, not two, but three different restaurants that were all awesome. My favorite of the visit was CruCafe on Pinckney St. We had tried to just walk in but reservations are needed here since the wait for a mid week lunch was over two hours. Another favorite spot is on the roof of the Market Pavilion Hotel, this one we didn’t need reservations for and it’s extra nice at night when you can see the lights of the town and over the water.

We ended our time with my usual bike ride for diesel to save cash and then off again. This time back out to sea and up to Cape Fear where we went up the Cape Fear River to spend a few days at Carolina Beach NC. Another favorite spot.