Going...

Well, we did finally get going. After the dinghy and motor were aboard, the hatch was reinstalled etc, we disconnected power, water …and internet and left Holland Marine at Green Cove Springs! It was just a beautiful sunny day with calm winds. Bill said too calm. We were able to practice putting the mainsail up and down and also unfurling the jib. All went well and we did actually sail for a while. but then took them down when the wind died down. We motored to Jacksonville with the current which was a quick trip. Decided to go to the new City Marina but at the third bridge which is a lift bridge we had to wait 2 hours because of rush hour. There is an area right before the bridge called The Landing so we were able to dock here, planning to wait for the bridge. Once we were in we found restaurants and a great walk all along the shore so we just stayed put left in the AM. This was compliments of the city of Jacksonville.



Wednesday headed toward the St. John’s Inlet and depending on the weather forecast we decided we would either go north on the Intracoastal or outside and go north along the coast. This is breeding season for the Right Whales along this coast and we have heard radio announcements of sightings today. Have to avoid all contact and stay 500 yards away from these big ones! It would be fun to see them, but can't see much from 500 yards away!

Happy St Patrick's Day. We headed down to the coast stopping for fuel at Mayport. That was more learning, but a pretty successful docking with a 5 mile current...no bangs to the boat.

With tank full Bill wanted to head out into the Atlantic. I did not. Agreed to go out the cut and see what it was like. It was raining and blowing and rough so everyone was happy to take to the ditch as the Intracoastal Waterway is sometimes called and head north. It is a tranquil peaceful place with marsh and water and wildlife all along the way.



Stopped at Alligator Creek near Cumberland for the night. Anchorage had some current and was noisy during the night as the anchor chain slid along the keel when the tide changed. Next day we continued on with almost no traffic other than a few fishermen or people tending crab traps which are plentiful.

Wildlife has been wonderful all along with dolphins every where dancing in the waves. Have added to my bird list and am not an avid birder, but enjoy what I see. Have seen sanderlings, sandpipers,and curlews along the shore, many cormorants and saw a common loon, a bald eagle sitting on a marker post(wonderfully magnificent), white pelicans floating in a group on the water...camera was down in the cabin, egrets, terns, skimmers, and a yellow crested night heron with plumes blowing in the wind. Even thought we saw some wild horses, but decided they probably were cattle!

Friday, after spending a lively night before with dinner out and entertainment by the Wharf Rats at Jekyll Harbor Marina, we were passing St Simon's Island in Georgia. Just before the bridge we made a wrong turn and ended up stuck fast and deep in the soft mud. We just had to laugh! Called Boat US tow service who came and said they could NOT pull us out until the tide came in!



We had to sit and wait for the tide to go all the way out and come back in. There was no water around the boat at all... no water for the toilets either! We stayed upright by some miracle. We learned to clean out the engine water filter thanks to some help from Andre who happened to call from Quebec and Joe from whom we bought the boat. Thanks!!!
We watched the birds and the sunset and about a million cars crossing the Brunswick and St. Simon's bridges. After pulling from 6:30 until after 9 PM they were finally able to "extract" us out of the mud, and guide us to a safe anchorage close by...next to the Golden Isles Marina. Thank goodness for Boat US insurance which Bill was talked into buying 2 weeks ago! A humbling experience but the boat and we were fine so off we went again.



We had 2 lovely warm days in a row and were able to roll up the enclosure.
Forgot to report that in Jekyll we had met 2 Finnish men who are rowing up from Key West to NYC in an open wooden row boat they had shipped from Finland. It did have a canvas cover. Amazing undertaking and amazing muscles!

Fun to see all these islands we have visited by car now from the water. Will do some more exploring on future trips. Anchored out in the Wahoo River, went past the original Moon River.



The river was originally called the Back River, but after Johnny Mercer wrote his famous song about it the State of Georgia changed the name officially to Moon River. We anchored last night in the Herb River south of Savannah with wicked winds blowing most of the night. The anchor held!

Today, we made it past the Savannah River which was closed until noon because of a diesel fuel spill in Savannah. Good timing, but just luck. We motored past Daufuskie Island and Hilton Head along the Calibogue and across the Port Royal Sounds. Arrived in Beaufort about 5PM, and we are staying at the Port Royal Marina. Internet again!!!

We really didn't sail except the first day, just motored, but feel very comfortable with the boat from that perspective as well as anchoring and docking. When we come back will do some day sailing in the Port Royal Sound for practice. Plan to leave tomorrow and head back to Atlanta. Need to make some more boat plans after Easter.