We left our anchorage at Newell Creek in Georgia yesterday morning at high tide and began yet another motor down the east coast. The current was with us as we made our way through St Catherine’s Sound and back offshore and thus a swift exit was made from temporary refuge of the ICW. The sea was calm though, and while the wind offered no opportunity for sailing, it made for an easy day.
Throughout the ride, the kids alternated from spotting sea life to reading. Justin took them up to the bow, after we spotted some sea turtles (including a great big loggerhead) and quite a few sting rays. What do you call a group of sting rays? A cult? A demonstration? Or as our friend, Thomas Oliver, Deadliest Catch camera man who lives in Fernandina Beach with his family, suggested a swarm? Cue the dolphin! First one then several took to playing with the waves at the bow. They would swim alongside then leap from the water, landing with a great splash soaking the kids (screams of delight). Che spotted a mako shark, which was so fast that only Gherty and Justin were able to see him before he swam away. Che brought out the book on sharks and they poured over the pages, anticipating more sightings. As the lull of the sea took over, each kid started and finished an entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid…homeschool check (just kidding).
Off of Jekyll Island, we sighted the clouds thickening. The wind picked up but of course on the nose. Off of Cumberland Island (which is a really long island!), the waves built as well. The skies were darkening over land and pulling the pressure. Our calm day at sea was getting a bit rougher. The last hour before St. Mary’s channel gave these mariners a bit of green. Quinn was absolutely determined to get to Florida though and he kept his head level with the horizon.
Once past the jetties, we were met with restoration and excitement. We passed the glorious smoke stacks and entered the marina at Fernandina Beach. A quick sailor’s shower and then off this scrubby family of five went. A walk about town brought us to pizza and ice cream. The promised ice cream sundaes were forgiven in lieu of chosen single sugar cones.
With the day break came more information on the approaching storm. We negotiated an inside slip and the crafty captain Justin backed the vessel from the outside into the marina and into a more suitable ‘riding out the storm’ slip. Throughout the day, we heard rumors of winds nearing 60 mphs by Monday night; though now the mill seems to have passed and while windy it will be, all should be ready for our next passage to St. Augustine by Tuesday morning.
So here we sit in Fernandina Beach for a respite. Or as Quinn said on our walk today: “I just need a 30 second recharge” (he also has 2 second and one hour recharges in case you were wondering).
Stay tuned and much love.