Sunday, November 21, 2004

Last night's anchorage was incredible.  The dolphins surrounded us and were active all evening.  Even though it was dark we could see and hear them surfacing all around the boat.  At one point when we were sitting on the back deck they came up to the stern and jumped out of the water and performed.  It was really magical!

We left the anchorage around 8:00 am.  Meandered through the rivers of Georgia, saw plenty of dolphins - one came along side and I thought he had passed our stern but he must have stayed with us because suddenly he came out of the water just along side me while I was at the helm and splashed me.  I must  have jumped two feet at least out of my seat!  Lots of shallow water - we had a close encounter with the bottom just off Wolf Island in 4 feet of water at low tide - saw another boat aground but they said they didn't need  help.  We're seeing so much wildlife that Alan thinks I'm getting distracted - I'm watching dolphins and jumping fish and he's worried about our course - what's he thinking!

Decided to take a dock slip at Jekyll  Island and glad we did.  Docked around 1:00 pm and had plenty of time to walk around the Island .  Jekyll  Island and the Jekyll Island Club were once the exclusive domain of  folks like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Morgans.  They brought their 300+ yachts here during the winter.  Today it's owned by the state of Georgia and ordinary folks like us can explore it.  Walked the beach this afternoon (temps in the 80's) and explored some of the wonderful old homes of these wealthy and famous people - what a treat!  This is what's it's all about. 

Spanish Moss

Beach at Jekyll Island

Found Papa's shrimp boat - Syd, Will, Liza and Charlotte - what do you think?!

Some of the interesting terns/gulls we saw - Black Skimmer(center), Royal Terns (orange bills) and Ross Gull

Monday, November 22, 2004

Left Jekyll Island with the tide around 10:30 am and headed to Cumberland Island.  The trip was only about 4 hours.  The day was warm again (in the 80's) but some clouds coming in.   Cumberland Island is known for it's wild horses and we saw six of them grazing in the tidal flats as we came around.  Then as we approached closer to shore to anchor we saw three more.  Really neat - they live and roam freely on the island - leftover from the Carnegie era.  The island is a National Park.  Went ashore to explore the beautiful  water oak  forest which we had to walk through to get to the beach on the Atlantic side.  Once out of the forest the sand dunes were fabulous - like nothing we've ever seen before.  Had to walk a long boardwalk over the dunes to get to the beach.  The beach goes forever - to the south we could see Fernandina Beach which is in the northernmost corner of Florida.

Tomorrow, after we explore more of Cumberland, we plan to head to St. Mary's Georgia for Thanksgiving.  Our cruising friends have told us that the town and cruisers put on a big Thanksgiving dinner for the cruisers so everyone is headed there.  Plan to meet up with some of our friends.  In fact on the way over here today a passing boat hailed us on the radio and asked if we were planning on being in St. Mary's for Thanksgiving and suggested we radio another boat, who is trying to estimate the number of people - pretty organized for a bunch of drifters  heading south!

Wild horses roaming the beach at Cumberland Island GA

Water Oak Forest, Cumberland Island GA

Dunes and "big tree" Cumberland Island GA

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Spent the morning exploring Cumberland Island.  Did a 4 hour walk through the marine forest to the "ruins".  The "ruins" are what's left of Dungeness, a castle that was once  one of the homes of the Carnegies.  They used it to entertain the wealthy and famous.  Had it's own cemetery with stones dating back to the early 1800's.  Must have been an amazing place in its day because it's still pretty impressive.  Saw more horses grazing around the ruins.  Another mystical magical place.

Left Cumberland around 2:30 and headed up to St. Mary's for Thanksgiving.  Arrived to find a very organized group.  Dave and Peggy aboard "Destiny" were working hard.  As we entered the harbor Dave came alongside in his dinghy and and gave us the lowdown on the event and a map of the town.   One of the local restaurant owners provides their establishment for a sit down dinner, they also provide the turkeys  and the cruisers  each bring a dish.  Everything starts at 1:00 pm with steamed oysters and dinner is at 2:00 pm.  The locals also provide a 10 person van which is parked just off the dinghy dock for cruisers to use to go shopping.  As soon as we had anchored our friends from "ABSeas" radioed us that there would be a party on their boat starting at 4:00pm.  Dinghied over to "ABSeas" around 4:00 pm - everyone brought their own drinks and a appetizer to share and we had a great evening.  All our cruising friends who worked the Annapolis  boat show were there and it was decided that we'd wear our red show hats to the Thanksgiving dinner just for fun!.  Our friends Jeannette and Bill from Myosotis also joined us. 

We've learned how to do the "St. Mary's Wave" -  a unique waving/flailing of the arms to keep the little no-see-ums off - a must when the breeze dies down!  Hard to believe but Georgia is actually the first we've had to put our new screens on.  I've also discovered a great new perfume - Swamp Buddy, Okefenokee Formula - works like a charm every time and it's only $4.50 a bottle!

Dungeness, the Carnegie castle ruins

Horses at Dungeness

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

For our friends who are familiar with Georgetown, Bahamas  and the "net"(Mark & Alex, Warren &Betsy) - we have a St. Mary's "net".  9:00 am   the net opened with news for the day -a local reporter and photographer  would be at the dinghy dock to talk to us about where we were from and going and what brought us to St. Mary's for Thanksgiving.  A sign up on what we would be bringing to Thanksgiving dinner.  At 9:45 the van would be available for anyone who needed to get to the Walmart and groceries, etc.  Also a rather questionable but working pick up was available for those needing to get propane, etc.  At 5:00 pm we were invited to the local bar/establishment - bring an appetizer and plan to purchase drinks in a show of support for the local businesses who are doing so much for us.

Alan and I went on the morning van ride to Walmart to pick up groceries.  I planned on making Annabelle's wild rice stuffing for the Thanksgiving dinner.  Got back to the boat around noon, had lunch and then dinghied back to town to explore the local shops and do some shopping.  St. Mary's is a must stop for cruisers, an anchorage that can accommodate an unlimited number of boats and a very cruiser friendly town.  Were able to trade in our used paperbacks for some more used paperbacks at the "Read 'em Again"  Bookstore - they offer free coffee and danish to cruisers.  The weather had been ominous but the wind died down by late  afternoon and we headed into town for the party at 5:00pm.  Another evening with no need for dinner - lots of great appetizers and good cheer.  We kept a close watch on the weather because of tornado warnings but all stayed calm.  Started to rain around 8:00 pm so we decided to head back to the boat before things picked up.  A wet ride back but not much of a problem because it was so warm out - didn't mind getting wet.

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving!  A strong front came through last night with heavy rain and strong winds but the anchor held just fine and the boats are so spread out that there were no problems.  Alan decided to put the new water pump in the generator this morning.  I watched the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV(a tradition for me), made my wild rice stuffing, called home to family, and handed Alan tools in between.  The pump fit, Alan got the generator back together - no small feat - started it up and in less than 10 minutes there was no water in the exhaust.  Shut it down, opened it all up again only to find that the exhaust hose had come off - water was spewing all over and steam was pouring out.  A new problem.   Took it apart again #!&*#!, put new clamps on the hose, put it back together and started her up - was pumping water and running good.  We cleaned up, packed the food and got ready to go ashore.  Alan went to turn the generator off  just before getting in the dinghy and the switch wasn't working.   He went down below to turn it off by hand - the hose had failed again - water spewing all over, etc.  Enough of this - we closed the seacock and left for dinner.

Enjoyed our first Thanksgiving away from home with 100 new friends.  The food was plentiful and delicious and what a variety!  Everyone brought their own plates, utensils, wine, and table decorations.  The assortment of tableware and decorations created a really unique ambiance.   Took a group picture of all the Annapolis boat show staff/cruisers who were there.  Was good to get together with them again.  It was like being with one VERY BIG family.

Got back to the boat stuffed and happy to have been able to share the day with so many great people.  We missed being with family but this gathering sure helped make for a very nice holiday.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Boat Show Staff reunion at St. Marys , Georgia - Thanksgiving

Cruisers Thanksgiving, Riverview Hotel, St. Mary's Georgia - no shortage of good food!

Antje, Pat, Bob and Bill "ABSeas" and "Changes in Latitudes"             Lori & Thelma "Clarion" and Bill & Jeannette "Sea Lion"

Alan & Joyce "Mystic Jitney and Jeannette & Bill "Myosotis"