January 31st we finally left Thunderbolt Ga after a great departure dinner the night before - a local oyster roast with local craft brews. Could not have planned it better! Departed at 7:30 for a full day winding our way through the Georgia ICW. Current with us and current against us. Low tide, mud flats, and some very narrow passages. Encountered a huge cruising yacht aground just off the center channel. This was a day of total concentration with 2 gps units, a chart plotter, and the ICW chart book. Fortunately we made it through without incident! At 5:30 arrived at a beautiful anchorage in the Back River behind Doboy Island - just in time for a spectacular sunset.
Next day (Feb 1), woke up to fog and drizzle. Decided to go offshore to avoid the narrow channels in the fog. Doboy inlet was well marked and not too rough but current was against us so it took over an hour to get out to the whistle buoy. Sails up and ready to turn south! Fog lifted with improved visibility but got thick again at St Mary's Inlet. Shrimp boat appeared from nowhere-very eerie. So much for relaxing!! Arrived at Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island at 4:15 and decided to tie up at the marina. Very worth it - wish we were stuck here for 4 days instead of Thunderbolt in the freeze. The village is so quaint, lots of shops and restaurants. Dockmaster Roger gave us his handmade habanero jelly and wing sauce. They told us to come back in May for Shrimpfest! Slept soundly last night to the sound of shrimp crackling on the hull. Sunday Feb 2nd departed Amelia Island at 1:15 - late departure due to fog but good excuse to spend more time in this historic village. Sun finally came out today with warmer temps, - we actually were able to stow the ski jacket and Uggs! Heading for Jacksonville for Super Bowl Sunday! Think we'll make some chile:)
No comments:
Post a Comment