Low Country

This past week was one of transition. We traveled from Florida through Georgia into South Carolina. We watched the waterway's shoreline change from the grand homes back to palm trees and mangroves then to salt marshes and live oak trees covered with Spanish moss.

Sunday, April 26: We left St. Augustine early and headed out the inlet to travel in the Atlantic Ocean for part of the day, we re-entered the ICW via the St. Johns Inlet at Jacksonville, FL. The day ended at an anchorage in Nassau Sound at the south end of Amelia Island.

Monday, April 27: We made the short trip to Fernandina Beach Marina on the north end of Amelia Island. We spent the afternoon enjoying the attractions in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
Tuesday, April 28: We left the dock early and shortly after crossed the St. Mary’s River into Georgia. We arrived mid afternoon at the docks at Jekyll Island. We enjoyed cocktails that evening with Mary & Andy aboard their motor vessel Good News and Brad & Patty, m/v Salvage Crew. They are two other looper couples we have met along the way. We first saw “Good News” when we were in the rivers back in September. They are also now on their way back home. The friendly interesting people you meet along the way continue to be the highlight if the trip.

Wednesday, April 29: Traveled to another anchorage in the Back River near Doboy Sound.

Thursday, April 30: Left early for a 10 hour ride in the Atlantic Ocean. The wind and seas were ideal and we made around 60 miles to the Wassaw Sound and the Wilmington River. The river leads to Savannah however we stopped before that at the town of Thunderbolt GA. When we arrived at the dock we were again greeted by the crews of Good News and Salvage Crew. Sharing hors d’oeurves and cocktails with them that evening was the perfect way to end a long day on the water.

Friday, May 1: We left the Thunderbolt Marina at 10:00 and shortly thereafter passed the Bonaventure Cemetery. The cemetery was featured in the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”. Around 11:00 we crossed the Savannah River and entered South Carolina, we spent the evening at the dock at the Hilton Head Marina.

Saturday, May 2: We traveled to Beaufort S.C. hoping to get a dock at the downtown city marina. On the way we passed the well known Marine Corps Recriut Depot at Parris Island. This is where all male Marine recruits east of the Mississippi train. It's also where all female recuits train.We didn’t see much going on they must have had the weekend off. When we arrived at Beaufort we were surprised to find the place was full. It turned out this was the weekend for their big “Taste of Beaufort “festival. We anchored near the marina and took our dingy into town to enjoy the music and food at the festival. Now we know were all the Marine recruits were. Later that evening we had dinner with Molly and Gary, a couple from North Carolina who were returning from Key West on their sailboat. They both retired from their jobs in January and took off on a boat. Sounds familiar!

Sunday, May 3 : After church service at the local Episcopal Church and a breakfast out, we spent the afternoon traveling to an anchor site on the South Edisto River about half way to Charleston.