Since we didn’t stop in Savannah (been there before), all we have seen of Georgia on this trip is marshland. We usually stop early in the afternoon each day and pick our spot during low tide. We frequently use 2 anchors because of the tidal current and because some of the creeks are so narrow. We don’t want to swing at anchor and end up on shore. The tide is over 8 feet now and the narrow creek is transformed to a small lake at high tide with shore becoming far away. I think it could be tricky anchoring during high tide.
There are so many different types of birds in the marshes that I’m sorry I didn’t bring a bird book for the area. I enjoy catching a glimpse of them but I can’t identify them. I have learned to identify the no-see-ums (gnats). They are vicious. It’s warm enough to wear shorts first thing in the morning but we cover up until the anchor is up and we’re under way just to avoid being eaten alive.
We arrived in Brunswick December 2. The Brunswick Landing Marina has really nice cement floating docks. It’s located right in historic Brunswick, which is a neat little town but a little depressed right now with a lot of empty shops. With a couple of days before Rick has to leave we had time to take a taxi out to Walmart and do some grocery shopping. We also got a chance to finally get to a library and look at the pictures of our new grandson "Liam". Rick changed the engine oil and I started some of my many loads of laundry (the laundry machines are free here).
We walked to the farmers market, which is one block from the marina. There was a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables but the main staple appeared to be pecans. I bought ½ lb. They were so good that I will return and purchase a lot more the next market day. We can also buy fresh shrimp from the shrimp boats that dock near us but we haven’t yet. We’re still "shrimped out" from all we ate a week ago.
On December 5 Rick headed home for 10 days. While he’s gone I will clean the boat inside and out. We’ve noticed a little mildew under the mattress and around the ports. I’ve heard that it will spread so I want to get rid of it asap. Other than that, "The Christmas Carol" is playing at the Ritz, I’m going to get a ticket to see it (adults $10), relax, read a bit and wander around town.
I was surprised by the Suvies who arrived when I wasn’t looking. They knocked
on the hull and told me they had acquired a slip on the same dock as Wind-Borne
for the next couple of days. They are so thoughtful. I know that Al hates to pay
for dockage but they wanted to keep me company and make sure that I was all
right. We went out for dinner on Friday night. Roamed the town on Saturday. Lee,
from Santana, joined us. I talked everyone into coming along to the Ritz that
night to see "A Christmas Carol". They did, and we all really enjoyed it. The
actors mixed with the audience as part of the pre-show entertainment, which was
as much fun as the show itself.
The Suvies are leaving today but we have decided to spend Christmas together
in Florida. They have assigned Terry and Wanda from Katrissa, the responsibility
of keeping an eye on me until Rick returns.
The boat is sparkling clean. I washed everything inside and out. I baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, and as Jane and Thomas down the dock said, walked around antsy waiting for Rick to arrive all morning. He finally showed up about 3 pm. It was good to have him back. We went to dinner at Archibald’s (where I am now classed as a regular), with Wanda and Terry.
Breakfast at the Brunswick Station and then to the Farmers Market for fresh fruits and vegetables before we leave. Rick replaced the paddle on the knotmetre. It had stopped working in Chesapeake City so we ordered a new one while sitting in Brunswick. We had a nice dinner aboard and went to bed early because we’re leaving first thing in the morning.
After saying our good-byes, we didn’t depart until almost 8:30. The bridge tender delayed the 9am opening for a few minutes (either for us or for the jogger on the bridge), so it wasn’t too late by the time we left. It was nice to be underway again. It was warm but very windy. We saw a boat hard aground with a good heel, just before arriving in Fernandina Beach, Florida. We anchored just across from the town dock. We weren’t there long and we heard Lee from Santana, calling the marina for a slip. We spoke with him for a few minutes and then received a call from Mike aboard Moksha. We met them at the Great Bridge. He and Victoria were anchored just behind us and saw us arrive.
Moksha had recommended that we stay a while and visit Fernandina. We considered it but I would rather spend extra time in St. Augustine. We hoisted anchor at 7 am so that we could travel on a rising tide. We are only going about 20 miles today to Ft. George River, but all of the guide books suggest that this is a nasty stretch with a lot of shoaling.
It was a perfect day and we dropped anchor at 11 am, almost high tide.
I hadn’t heard the cell phone ring but there was a message from the Suvies. They are in St. Augustine and will try to call us tonight on the VHF.
We didn’t hear the call probably because we are anchored behind a mountain. If you didn’t know there was a mountain in Mt. Cornelia (this mountain is 63 ft high).
Ft George River is a good but tight anchorage. While at anchor, the current racing by the boat gives the impression that you must be moving at 8 knots or better.
A cold front went through last night. The winds didn’t cause us any problems because we had 2 anchors down.
We got underway about 7:30. Back in the channel on the ICW there was very little water (8ft). We were searching around (within the markers), for a little more depth when we ran aground (5 ft).
It’s such a good feeling when you run aground on a rising tide. We sat back, I poured a cup of coffee and we waited. Starshine, a boat that was in the same anchorage came by and asked if we needed any help. We thanked them and explained that we were just going to enjoy our coffee for about 4 tidal inches. Within 20 minutes we were off and running. Starshine, asked if we noticed the excitement last night (we didn’t). They had dragged anchor while the cold front was passing and ended up spending the night on their side on the mud flats (been there, done that, and it’s not comfortable).
We arrived in St Augustine at about 3 pm., hoping to catch up with the Suvies but didn’t see them anchored on either side of the bridge. We did however, find Ripcurl. Gary and Shauna were not at the boat so we kept an eye out for their dinghy. Sure enough, in about an hour they showed up. We waved them over and invited them aboard. It was great to see them again. We are going to try and get together during the first week of January, while Kelly is here. While we were working out the details we heard the Suvies calling us on the radio. They’re still here but anchored in Salt Run. They were crossing over the Bridge of Lions when they saw us below waiting for the bridge to open.
8:30 am, the Suvies along with Tony and Maria of Britanha moved over and
anchored near us. We all went for breakfast together and then walked through
town doing a bit of Christmas shopping. That evening Al, Tish, Gary, Shauna,
Tony and Maria all came over after dinner. We had a very enjoyable evening and
didn’t get to bed until late. The guys have decided to rent a car tomorrow so
that we can provision for Christmas and do all our other errands all in the same
day.
Christmas wishes from the Gang (215kb MPEG file)
It was great, we got everything done and had time to go for a walk after dinner to look at the Christmas lights throughout town. Tony and Maria passed on the walk. They bought so much food they had to take time to enlarge their boat to make room for it. We visited with them on their boat after the walk.
We left the Suvies and Britanha, at 7am and headed to Palm Coast Marina. They will all join us on Christmas Day. We’re having a pot luck Christmas Dinner.
It was an easy run and we arrived about noon. We enjoyed St Augustine so much, we’ve rented a car and will take Kelly back there on Christmas Eve to see the lights and roam the town.
With the temperatures in the mid 70’s and nothing else to do, Rick decided to wax the hull. He thinks it’s fantastic to be able to do this, three days before Christmas. He finished the port side in time for happy hour. There was no happy hour because it was a weekend. It didn’t matter, he went anyway.
Rick waxed the starboard side of the hull today. Kelly arrived at 5 pm. We BBQ’d steaks for dinner and just stayed aboard for the evening. The temperature is still in the low 70’s but a cold front is forecast for our area tomorrow.
We headed off to St Augustine to shop, sight see, have dinner and see the
lights. We were hoping to
surprise Suvarov and Bretanha but when we arrived they were no where in
sight. We toured the old city and just wandered around downtown. It was dark
when we left, (which is still early 6pm), and we made it back to the boat with
only one wrong turn before asking for instructions.
Bretanha and Suvarov are already here. They were not supposed to arrive until tomorrow.
Great surprise, everyone came aboard and we had happy hour aboard Wind-Borne.
Big dinner planned for the afternoon.
Lots of food, good friends, and reasonably warm weather.
I received an email from very good friends of the Suvies, Joan and John. They are coming down to visit with the Suvies at the end of January but miss them, and want to see them now.
They are leaving Canada early tomorrow and driving non-stop. They are hoping I can tell them where the Suvies will be. Great, plans are that the Suvies will be anchored in the middle of no where on December 27.
A sneaky plan is required. I spoke to the marina and ask if Suvarov can raft
to us. Al doesn’t like to pay for dockage but agreed to for Christmas
day only.
If he can raft, it will not cost him anything so he might stay. I also plan to
tell Tisha about the great happy hour here. She is really hooked on happy hours.
She likes to sit at the bar and talk to strangers. If I tell her there’s a free
buffet, I know she won’t be able to pass it up.
It worked, the Suvies have decided to stay another day. I had already emailed Joan and John that I was sure they would be here, but to please arrive early, since I didn’t know if I could talk them into another day. If they are leaving, they normally head out early.
I baked bread last night and the Suvies are coming for breakfast at 8 am. Meanwhile, Joan and John are going to try and arrive by 6 am. So, I was up by 5 am had my shower and got everyone else up before 6.
Right on schedule, Joan and John arrive. We hid them aboard Wind-Borne. At 7 am I told the Suvies that the bread is ready whenever they are. They came aboard shortly after and were truly surprised.
It was a fun day and we had brunch together at the hotel. They headed off to St Augustine for the day but returned in time for happy hour.
We headed out early to Disney World. My sister Beverley, her husband Greg, and the four girls, Heather, Sarah, Mary, Diana and Heather’s boyfriend Grant all arrived yesterday. They were waiting for us before heading off to the Magic Kingdom.
We arrive a little late due to Orlando rush hour. (Forgot about such things).
We check into our hotel, Coronado Springs, and then quickly head off to the Magic Kingdom.
It was after dark when we returned to the hotel. Kelly said that I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Animal Kingdom is today’s park. We all enjoyed the safari so much we went on
it a second time. During the second safari, a rhino stopped on the road in front
of the vehicle ahead of ours. It was fun. They do not attempt to chase them
away, partially because it would be dangerous and really because it is their
kingdom and we are the intruders. So we just sat and waited until he decided to
move.
My other favorite was a 3D show "It’s tough to be a bug". In the evening Beverley treated us to an evening out at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. It was great fun for all ages.
Today we visited Epcot. The plan was to visit each country. See a few shows,
taste a little food from each
country and maybe go on a couple of rides. Everything went as to the plan
except for the food. We ate so much food that by the time we finished in
Italy
(half way through the countries), we couldn’t taste another thing.
That evening, Kelly, Heather and Grant went to the clubs on Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney.
We spent most of the day in MGM Studios. We began very early having breakfast with Minnie and friends at Hollywood and Vine. Everyone returned to their hotel room late afternoon, to rest up for the evening. When evening arrived, it was only Kelly, Rick and myself who felt up to partying. We chose Epcot as the place to be. Kelly wanted to see some Latin dancers that were performing there. Rick wanted more German beer and I thought they might have the better fireworks and laser show.
