JEKYLL ISLAND, GA

Yes, we can see Florida in our rear view mirror! Yeah, we are making progress.

The moorings in Fernandia were located in the middle of the Amelia River which, due to cross currents, winds, etc, led to an uncomfortable night for sleeping. Todays WX forecast was for marginal conditions but the thought of another night on the river convinced me it was time to move on.  Fortunately the scattered thunderstorms didn't affect our route.  Soon after leaving Fernandia Beach, we crossed the St Mary's entrance from the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of Cumberland Sound into Georgia. As we pressed northward Cumberland Island was on our right.  This very large island is a wildlife preserve and the first things Sue spotted on the Island was three wild horses along the beach.  The ICW snaked through widespread marshlands and passed through the restricted area around the Navy's King's Bay Special Warfare Facility.  There were Navy navigational markers interspersed with ICW markers which could lead to confusion.  The chart plotter and paper charts truly helped in this area.  The were areas where the red markers were on the starboard side and others where green were to starboard.  But as long as you keep the little yellow squares on the markers to starboard and the little yellow triangles to port regardless of markers color you are still in the ICW. It takes a little getting used to but the system works well.

Again most of the ICW was surrounded by shallow water.  We passed a boat headed the other that was hard aground just a few feet outside the markers.  The name of the boat was 'FLOAT PLAN'......  The tide was rising so after a few hours of waiting the boat should have floated free on it's own.  It's really important to time the tides, especially in GA and SC, due to shoaling and lack of funds for dredging.

We crossed the wide open St Andrew's Sound and arrived at the Jekyll Island Marina early enough for me to wash most of the salt spray off the boat before going to dinner with some boating neighbors.

I'm sorry to say that we had more throttle control problems again today.  I suppose I'll be on the phone tomorrow trying to resolve the issue - again.  Jekyll Island seems like a neat little place but there is not much in the way of technical support at the few marinas on the island.  Based on forecasts, tomorrow and the day after may be weather days for us and other northbound loopers

Y'all stay vertical,

Captain John and First Mate Sue