Fogged in until nearly 11:00 a.m. anchored off Cumberland, Island, GA, only a hop, skip, jump from Florida. Our friends who travel more slowly were hoping to leave around 7:00 a.m. I assumed they'd done so as I couldn't see any boats up river...or down river. As fog lifted everybody showed up. No one had left. Grace agreed to lead the way through skinny water as she has the most shallow draft.
Beautiful, beautiful sunny, breezy day! Shimmering water. Very little bouncy. Saw wild horses on Cumberland shore as we floated by, and a FULL tour boat cruising up river. Fast and small fishing boats later on reminded us that it is Saturday.
I realize I generally take pics of places and creatures and things but not people. I'm beginning, yesterday, to remedy that. At the end of the day our boating buds and a just met boating bud gathered on our aft deck. Their photos accompany the day's journey.
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| David and Luke from MD, soloing on a Cat |
So we're in the lead and going slowly, er more leisurely than we've ever gone. At first we were preparing to be frustrated with the slower pace..our friends have about 2 knots less steaming power than Grace. Then we chose leisurely, an option we often consider but can't seem to maintain on our own. We always go slow when the water is skinny but that is also high alert/tension...not relaxed and.... leisurely.
We chatted by radio, calling out depths as necessary and slowing down to let buddies catch up when we outpaced them.
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| Diane and Greg on Abigail Grace met in Coinjock |
We came upon and remembered places and connected people from our previous cruising journey. At the beginning of FL is Ft. Clinch (?) where Irwin completed his Master's degree lo' those many years ago, studying that amalgamation of shell and mud and rock (Tabby? or another name).
Fernandina Beach that was really devastated by hurricanes last fall. Last trip the mooring field was packed with more than 100 boats and we met/re-met Wendy and Dan. This year the fuel dock was closed (but still standing) and there were maybe 10 mooring balls and 3 boats in the field, some masts above water but sunken boats. A really lovely boat blown up on the beach about 10 yards onto shore. We passed a barge with a load of wrecked boats tumbled together on board. Feeling the loss and the hurt of those lost.
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| Greg and Ken, Ken from Maine and Saco River rescue fame |
We picked our way through Fernandina Beach waters, always a bit dicy and especially so post-hurricane destruction. Past the hazards and...we ran aground.
Oops! Our friends took note and stayed away. We managed to maneuver ourselves off in a few minutes and did not have to wait for the tide to come in. Phew.
David had the helm most of the day. I started the mosquito netting for one of our pilot house doors. We neglected to bring our screens from previous trip. They are at home somewhere. And it is warm enough now - whoohooo! 74 degrees outside, shorts weather! - that those little biting buggers are out.
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| Ke Sun (spelling?) is Ken's squeeze |
I begin to notice that after 4 hours on the boat, traveling, regardless of the easy or difficulty, I'm ready to do something else. Of course, that isn't always possible. There are no McDonald's or 7/11 pull offs conveniently located in various inlets or on the rivers and creeks we cruise. So, onward.
We were a bit concerned about the post-hurricane condition of one of our favorite - and free - stops...Jim King Park and/or the Jacksonville City Free Dock. We'd heard on radio that there was a "navigational hazard" of a 60' boat attached to a concrete dock in Sister Creek, where we were heading. Sounds like the Jim King dock.
Nope. Dock is here with no 60' boat attached. Two sailboats were already here but plenty of room for all three of our boats. Fierce current and wind blowing us off the dock. But, we're on, with the help of Luke (first photo). We got ourselves tied up, enough, and radio-ed Ken, who had been standing off, waiting, to land. His boat has less engine power so his U-turn was a little more sketchy. Got him attached and then radio-ed Greg in. Yippee. Hurrah. All three boats secured. Beer/wine time. Luke, it turns out brews his own, on board. He mentioned that we were the most people he'd seen in his entire trip from MD.
We were a bit of a rowdy bunch packed onto our aft deck, reviewing and learning from each other. Joyful! Two disappointments: Brown Altman, the volunteer "greeter" who was such a godsend to David, Grace, and I last visit, has not returned our email or phone calls. We'd hoped to connect with him and his wife. We worry for his health but maybe they are on vacation somewhere (cold?). And Brad and Brigitt fromT-bolt last trip are not available to visit while we're here. Both are working, she full time this weekend and he away until Monday. Perhaps they will take a drive to St. Augustine. At least we know they are here, alive and well.
We gave a youngster (his mom was grateful) a life jacket, an extra we had on board and he wasn't wearing one. Lightening our load and making him safer. All were appreciative.
We passed this Eagle Watch Station on our way today and understand that there is an owl nest in a buoy just out the entrance to this dock. We may try to see it tomorrow...if we don't forget in our excitement to reach St. Augustine. David and I will have to do some work on our taxes there. Ugh and good idea.
Our aft deck party broke up after dark and we all went to separate boats to dine. Leftovers for us. We'll need to re-provision when we get to St. A.
We understand that our home port of Freeport, ME is still in deep freeze and are so grateful to be here, and that friends and family there are safe and warm.
The dock we're on. Sunrise photo from last trip, two years ago...my best yoga studio. I'll think to send it to Freeport Yoga Studio.
Speaking of being blessed!
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