Cumberland Island - Georgia
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Thu 8 Mar 2018 18:55
Lines cast off in the first rays of sunrise on a clear and cold morning! Quietly slipping by the sleeping boats of the marina and into a busy morning channel! A monster cargo vessel just ahead of us, an Engineer Corp survey vessel, another smaller surveying vessel "criss-crossing" the channel and finally the dredger itself! Thankfully the (new) performing AIS told us the full story and of course announced our position. With a full genoa flying and a tail wind against the tide westill reached 6 knots over ground - a quick exit!
As the westerly blew strong at 15-20 knots, we set a southerly course with a single reef in the main, no need for any headsails as 6-7 knots and a little heel was plenty in the moderate seas. Not long before we were at St Mary's inlet (reminiscing the submarine passing on our last visit), following the bouys up to Cumberland Island.but wait a US Coast Guard conducting maintenance on the ICW bouys - number "28" was being lifted out / replaced. Checked on VHF clearance to pass on the vessels port side we watched as the huge bouy was lifted out of the water.
Finally, past the wild horses roaming on the Island's deserted beaches, we motored up the channel alongside the ferry landing stations (the Island definitely open to visitors this time), a couple of attempts before the main anchor held, dinghy out to set the spare anchor set as well due to forecast winds in the night and all set for the evening.
Pizza and movie (aka Friday night) as we swung gently on the anchors, evening skies once again lit red on sunset.
Phil and Di
