02/18/2025 ICW Day 49 : Sick

by Brian · Published February 18, 2025 · Updated March 5, 2025

Well, my fears of getting sick on the bus can true. It probably wasn’t from that pole that I was avoiding touching (when I tumbled over)… a woman with a very raspy cough had moved to sit behind me and Janet while we were on another of those busses. Her cough was bad enough that a younger woman even got up to grab a free mask from the front of the bus. Janet even asked me, “do you want to get a mask?” I didn’t because masks didn’t work for me last time, but with my immune issues, I should have moved to a different part of the bus.

I felt the ripping in my throat start in the middle of the night. We had a big day planned, and I knew it was going to be entirely contra-current, long, and a low tide start. A tough day to do while sick. Fortunately, we had some rest already planned to avoid this abnormally cold weather here in the South.

In an effort to shorten the day (and to get the current on our side for a bit), I noticed a waterway called “Archer Creek” on the map. It was deep enough for our boat, but designated as military on the map. It would have saved 1.5 miles and also would have allowed us to ride the current - potentially as it changed, giving us a prolonged ride.

Just to be safe, we looked online, and I found that sometimes it is open; other times not. A few phone calls later, and I was talking to someone who knew.

“I’m coming on a kayak and wild like to go through Archer Creek today. Can I do that?”

“It is hot.”

I kind of thought I knew what he meant here, but wanted to be super clear.

“Uh… so is that a yes or a no?”

His voice didn’t betray any condescension at my lack of knowledge, and he replied in measured, deep steps:

He did eventually say that it would be “cold” at 3:00, but that could vary a lot.

You can see from our track that we briefly jetted towards the creek, only to turn around and have to make up ground that we had to fight for (against the current).

Luckily, we got some wind from not the forecasted direction, making the long way around a lot more pleasant. Unlike cycling, you pretty much always want wind because it gives you so much more power than you can muster with your puny human legs.

Photos:

Janet is a mud trooper. Trudging through muck to get the boat ready in the morning. Luckily there is plenty of water around to wash shoes and feet after launch.

Strava Comments:

J&K S.

It works this way in the air, too. The military has lots of airspace that they sometimes use. So you call the controlling agency on the phone or radio and ask if its "hot". Hot, of course, just means they're using it. Depending on the type of airspace, being "hot" may mean that you cannot enter. Or it may mean that you can enter, but they'll be some stuff happening around you and you'd better keep a sharp eye out. Still other kinds of airspace can't be entered no matter whether they're using it or not. Your imagination can paint the picture for you. As usual, we're enjoying riding along on your trip.

Janet W.

You made a quick recovery with 3 days of rest in Beaufort! I’m glad we stayed an extra night in the hotel to wait out the cold weather. Time to sail again!