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Georgia

We continue to move up the East Coast exploring new places but not staying too long so we can get to VA to have the boat hauled.

Georgia is know as Backcountry with miles of saltmarshes, islands, estuaries, creeks, rushing tides which leads to shallow water and there is not a straight piece of waterway in the entire state. It is gorgeous but curvy! Since we had a few days of near perfect weather: sunny, calm seas, cooperating currents in the inlets and low winds, we did a few jumps out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Even though it says 4 movements, we only moved three times. The fourth was our attempt to stop for cheap fuel at Port Consolidated in Fernandina Beach, FL. We anchored close by for the night, so we could fuel up first thing in the morning. We cruised over at opening time and we were third in line. The only problem, no one showed up to work that day. Therefore, no diesel for us!

Brunswick, GA

Monday, April 8, 2024

We left Florida and entered the Atlantic Ocean via St. Mary’s Inlet and entered Georgia via the St. Simons Inlet. We researched both inlets and called Sea Tow to get some local knowledge on best course to enter. Entering the Brunswick Harbor we had to travel about 3 miles west to reach the marina. Even though we are moving quickly, we took the time to make this journey since we have heard rave reviews about the marina and town.

Once we docked, the dockmaster told us the “Eclipse Party” was taking place in the field in the middle of the marina. We walked down and joined the crowd, sharing glasses and catching some views. To our surprise, we ran into Jerry and Jennifer from Vamanos and had a nice afternoon catching up with them.

We passed quite a few fishing boats with their nets out and birds vying for the fish in their nets.
Brunswick Landing Marina is massive! Folks actually drive from their dock to the club house.
Happy Hour at the club house with a round of Flippin Chicken!

Tom’s Creek, GA

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

We did not want to make the very long 87 NM trek from Brunswick to Savannah in one day, so chose to break it up. Day 1, we left Brunswick Landing around 9AM and traveled back out into the ocean up to St. Catherine’s Sound where we rejoined the ICW for a few miles to Tom’s Creek and dropped the anchor.

A flat and calm Atlantic Ocean lent itself to smooth cruising.
Tom’s Creek is a very small creek off the ICW somewhere Georgia. Absolutely nothing is around. We can see low lying marsh islands and then more water. It was a relaxing, peaceful night on anchor. Tracy heard Bob saying “Hi” while grilling on the back deck and thought, well he has officially lost his mind. Dolphins were swimming by the boat and actually turned and picked their heads up. Bob thought a friendly greeting was in order.
We forgot to drink our Bahamian Eclipse Beer during the eclipse but enjoyed it a day late!
It started out a wonderful, calm evening. Then the tide turned, current increased and no sleep for Tracy!
We knew it would eventually happen! About 10 minutes after falling asleep, our anchor alarm went off! We checked the visuals and sure enough, our anchor was dragging and we were moving. With a rising 8 foot tide and ripping current, we started the engines and backed down on the anchor and it reset. All was fine! Still, Tracy could not sleep and spent the night binge watching The Great British Bakeoff and the yellow line in Navionics move back and forth.

Savannah, GA

After a long night, it was a quick 25NM (3 hours and 20 minute) trip up the ICW to Thunderbolt Marina near Savannah Georgia. It was a strategic plan to get tucked in safely for high winds that were expected early in the evening.

After docking and washing down the boat, we took an uber to the Riverwalk district to walk around. We did a little shopping and then remembered the best ice cream shop on the East Coast, Leapolds! We quickly changed paths and walked into town and thank goodness the line was short. After that stop, we continued to tour the squares and town on foot.

Our second day in Savannah, was rainy and windy, just what was predicted. We were amazed how protected we were and did not move which was a stark comparison to other folks anchored or docked in other places. We took advantage of the nasty weather and borrowed the loaner car to get some errands done. Once the rain stopped and sun come out, we walked to Target and Home Depot.

Thunderbolt Marina
Stopped in at Hop Atomic Brewery which was in a neighborhood. The place was packed with couples and families and had a feeling of a Cheers atmosphere. Where everybody knows your name.
We enjoy walking off the beaten/tourist areas and explore the local streets. Our BBQ dinner at Munchies was delicious!
The fountain at Forsyth Park is one of the most photographed places in Savannah. The fountain is beautiful but was ordered from a catalogue.
Savannah’s organized urban planting began in 1891 and now the streets are lined with Century old Southern live oaks complete with heavy Spanish Moss.

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