I will remember this cruising day for Hellgate - which actually wasn't hellish -and for the cold and sudden start. When you cruise northward this early in the year, you expect a few cold nights. We got it last night -- down to the 20s -- waking before sunrise to a frigid morning. We were … Continue reading Northward! (Br-r-r-r)
Category: Journals
Fronts & Friends
We're still in Georgia. And it's ok. While the weather front slowed our underway progress, it accelerated our friend-making. And we have made friends, both on the humble dock and in the small town (Darien, Ga.) I love it when "good" comes from "bad" ... as it usually does, given enough time. At least that … Continue reading Fronts & Friends
Biding Time in the Marshes
Many Moons has extended her stay in the small town of Darien, Ga. in the salt-marsh tide-creek ecosystem, as this coastal region is called. The other Looping boat near us has done the same. We've entered days of projected rain and winds, with conditions worse north of us. Weather delays are expected on The Loop. … Continue reading Biding Time in the Marshes
Shrimp & History
Alert, Outlander fans! We've arrived at New Inverness, founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders who were recruited to protect Georgia's southern border from the Spanish -- back when the British, Spanish and French were vying for control of this continent. It's called Darien, Ga. now, population under 2,000. We came here for the shrimp. The … Continue reading Shrimp & History
To Brunswick
As we passed by the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Ga., this morning, we wondered if the submarines based there are out on patrol, carrying nuclear weapons capable of reaching Russia. What a sobering thought on a sunny day while cruising through salt marshes at 8mph! World events may recede from frontal view while … Continue reading To Brunswick
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 … Continue reading Georgia! (State #10)
To Jacksonville
We rock tonight in tidal waters and fabulous views at a floating dock in a big city, 50 miles north of yesterday. People strolling by stop to gawk and speculate about the boat name, as they do whenever we sit in a populated area. Jacksonville, Fla., population 900,000 -- just 20 miles from the Atlantic … Continue reading To Jacksonville
To Palatka
Many Moons is tied tonight to the free dock in Palatka, a town of about 10,000, after traveling 41 miles down the St. Johns River. (Even though we're traveling north, towards Jacksonville, we are going down river. That's because this river flows north.) It was hard to leave the clear waters of Silver Glen Springs … Continue reading To Palatka
Onward! Silver Glen Springs
Many Moons is on the move again. Sort of. We're headed back toward The Great Loop (the designated route is 100+ miles away), after a three-month pause for me and a six-week pause for Jeff...but went only 31 miles and stopped for three nights. Why? Crystal-clear waters at a consistent 72 degrees, that's why. Pretty … Continue reading Onward! Silver Glen Springs
Up Close Before Leaving
A week on Hontoon Island was a chance to get close to nature -- very close -- and I didn't waste it. Some say that living on a boat is living in nature, and that is true to some extent. But you can still miss a lot, especially with a motor running. In my last … Continue reading Up Close Before Leaving