Georgia! (State #10)

Fog. Crab pots. Boat wakes. Did I mention fog? But today’s early challenges were quickly forgotten when Many Moons arrived this afternoon in her 10th state since leaving Lake Superior last summer. Hello, Georgia! Hello, Cumberland Island!

This is also our 6th night “off the grid,” meaning without electricity or water hook-up. That’s a new record for me, and I like it. (We need a marina soon, though.)

I did not like leaving this morning during a dense fog advisory. We could have easily delayed our departure, but Jeff feels it’s useful to meet a challenge like that before it is forced on us. (It was forced on us on the rivers, and we managed it all right then.) Maybe he’s right to seek out the “practice,” but we continue to disagree about how much risk to take and when. I hear that most Looping couples deal with this issue, and feel better knowing that.

The tides and related currents played with us again today, swirling the water at times like the prop washes from barges did on the rivers, but it was manageable if surprising. Our speed went from 10.8 mph to 5.5 mph within minutes, without anyone touching the throttle. That’s because we are very close to the Atlantic Ocean–and, it’s a new moon. The tides will be an issue all the way up the coast.

Once we entered the Intracoastal Waterway, we encountered fast boats coming too close and “waking” us (causing a big wake that bounces us around). It was a sunny Saturday, so no big surprise. Loose items went into the sink to avoid getting tossed onto the floor. It felt like Lake Michigan a few times.

And then there’s the channel markers. We’re back to “red-on-the-right” for the first time since I rejoined the boat. It’s not hard to adjust if you follow the chart carefully–but you must do that. The navigation channel continues to meander back and forth, so driving is an exercise in concentration. Jeff still prefers to do most of the driving. I think I need to do more of it. When I do take the helm, he’s a bit of a “backseat driver.” 😉 (Can anybody relate?) Glad he doesn’t do that when we’re in a car! Not that I blame him; it’s his boat.

My first choice tonight was the marina at Fernandina on Amelia Island, because it’s a fun little town, but the marina was full so we proceeded to anchorage at Cumberland Island. I love it when second-choice becomes the best outcome. I’ve been wanting to see this National Seashore for years. We made the best of our four hours of daylight. And it’s nice to see the anchor lights of 12 other boats glowing nearby as I write this. We have company–but not too close. Photos and captions follow.