Nana and Nandad return to NH

Nana and Nandad return to NH after a wonderful Christmas and New Years. New Horizon has done well at Tiger Point Marina and Nandads attempts to stop the birds from pooping on deck has worked. He placed fine netting on the bow, fine wiring on the stern and the high pitched sound bird repellant swinging from the dodger. When we arrived at around midday the tide was fully in and the current very strong. Three hours later the creek looks like a mud bath and the tide has dropped by about six feet. 

In the picture you can see the mud banks and also if you look closely you will see the fine netting on the bow. Tomorrow we will take NH up the creek into the lift where they will haul her out to power wash etc before we continue our cruising. Our plan is to get to West Palm Beach by the end of next week and from there cross over to the Bahamas. 

Today we took the trolly tour around Historic downtown Fernandina and our driver had some wonderful stories to share about the magnificent great homes of which there are many. We also watched the Nao Trinidad, which is part of the Nao Victoria Foundation’s fleet from Huelva Spain, dock at the Marina right downtown. Nana often wondered how the crew threw those very large lines onto the dock only to discover that they throw a very fine line that is attached to the mainline which has a weighted ball at its end. Once they throw this line the dock hands pull it in with the big line attached and simply wrap it around the cleat. 
If you are watching from the dock you need to be careful that you stay out of the reach of the throw ! 

Looking up her bow she is very intimidating.

Nandad providing a birds eye view of her stern.

Her approach to the dock was very slow, smooth, and with perfect accuracy. Obviously a skilled Captain and crew. 

Laydays on Amelia Island

Amelia Island is 13.5 miles long and two miles wide at its widest point. It has about 12.5 miles of excellent beaches extending the entire length of the Island. We rented a car from Enterprise so we were able to drive around while also provisioning once again with water. We spent most of the afternoon yesterday reviewing the Raritan head ( toilet ) in the main cabin ( which has a constant hissing sound ) and the macerater in the main head ( which refused to work despite having had a new pump fitted before we left) ! Thanks to a very persistent Matt I think we may have solved the issues which will be repaired while we are back home. 

Today Wednesday we took NH through the creek , under the bridge and into her slip where she will stay for two months. She is really well protected which is good because the winds have been very strong the last few days. We had lunch at the Sandbar which is right  on the beach - indoors due to the inclement weather. As you can see not too many people at the  beach today. 

Now you know when things are changing when your server is assisted by a robot! Our food arrived to the table by Robot. We did have to assist with taking our food from the tray as she does not have arms! our server reassured us that she likes the Robot because it doesn’t need toilet, lunch, or cigarette breaks! It was a first for us so we were entertained as were the other customers .

American Beach is on the southern most tip of the Island and is the historic African-American community where Burney Beach Park is located. 
Permits can be purchased to drive on this beach. It is a very interesting area and appears to be in the middle of lots of rebuilding and construction. 

Nandad spent  the afternoon decorating NH so the birds would be distracted and stay away. We are hoping for success. The marshes are rich with a variety of  birds which we have enjoyed watching but would prefer if they remain on the dead branches in the marsh and not on NH. Today Nana spotted two beautiful roseate spoonbill with their magnificent pink coloring and spoon shaped beak. They symbolize the power of stillness and sensitivity and have a graceful presence. 

Nana is so excited to return to Franklin for Thanksgiving and Christmas. No more blog until we return sometime in January- likely Jan 15th when we will continue our journey down the AICW and across to the Bahamas. Wishing everybody a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Happy Christmas to all. 

Tiger Point Marina MM 715

NH has reached her final destination for this leg of our trip. She will remain here on Amelia Island for two months while Nana and Nandad reconnect with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has taken approximately three weeks of cruising 1287 miles. When we return we will need  to travel another 350 miles on the ICW to North Palm Beach. From there we will enter Lake Worth Inlet and cross the gulf to the Bahamas.

Today the winds picked up so our crossing St Andrew Sound was very sloppy! Once we reached the protection of the Cumberland River it was much smoother. Unfortunately Nana did not spot any of the wild horses on the beaches today. There are about 150 on the island and they have adjusted to the environment including drinking the salt water. The northern part of the island has several private homes and the only assess is by ferry. Many people visit the  Dungeness Ruins which was the home of the Carnegie family from 1886 to 1925. It is claimed that a poacher burned it to the ground in 1959. The Carnegie’s built several mansions on the island including Plum Orchard and Greyfield ( which is now run as an Inn ). The ruins of Dungeness and Plum Orchard Mansion are today preserved by the National Park Services. 

NH also cruised past Kings Bay which is the home base for the Navy’s submarines. The above picture is one of the structures for the subs. 

We visited Fort Clinch, a well preserved Civil War era fort surrounded by beautiful trails for hiking, biking and camping. From the Eagan Creek lookout we could see the Amelia Lighthouse which was originally on the south side of Cumberland Island. The tower for the light was taken down and rebuilt on Amelia Island in 1838. Tiger Point Marina is up the Amelia River and Egan’s Creek.

Layday at Jekyll

After Nana took advantage of the washer and dryer being available it was time to have fun. Once again we took the golf cart and this time we headed to check out Driftwood Beach. The beach and its iconic driftwood formed as a result of decades of erosion. We were truly amazed at this magical site and were at a loss for words. Again the picture really is not capable of capturing the vastness of these massive roots and twisted stumps all along the beach. 

We returned to NH for a light lunch and afterwards Nana took the loaner bike and had a marvelous ride along the trails through the historic area. The island has over 22 miles of bike trails which wind through pathways and boardwalks - no traffic to pay attention to - the perfect bike path. Nana enjoyed the peace of the marshes while sitting on one of the benches watching the small planes arrive on the island. The small airports on these islands bring their own magic. 

We decided to return to Zachary’s for dinner which again was delicious. On our next trip we will dine at the Jekyll Island Club Resort in the Grand Dining Room which is really stunning. 

Jekyll Harbor Marina MM 685

Today the weather changed and we barley saw the sunshine! Thank goodness we are not a sailboat - those hardy sailors were all wrapped up today. After almost nine hours cruising NH is finally on the transient dock at Jekyll Island. This is one of our favorite spots so we are so happy to spend a Layday here tomorrow. This is our last stop before our final destination of Tiger Point Marina. 

Today Nana spotted a bald eagle perched on drift wood along the marsh grass. Patience pays off when she watches it take flight. A little further along the route she spotted a pod of white Pelicans in flight. Such graceful birds. The American white pelican doesn’t dive into the water for its food like the brown pelican. It floats on the water and scoops up fish and water in its pouch. 

Jekyll Island is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles. The island has several beaches on the east side, a campground, convention center, golf courses, water park, mini golf, several lodging options and of course the famous Jekyll Island Club Resort. The Marina provides bikes and golf carts which of course we take advantage. The on-site restaurant Zachary’s Riverhouse is excellent.

The pictures are not great due to the shifting wind , the movement of the boat and using the iPad - but it gives you some visual.

Nana and Nandad decided they deserved a little treat after such a long cruise.

Isle of Hope Georgia

This is the picture perfect Marina only a few miles  from Savannah. In fact they provide a loner car which Nana and Nandad took advantage of and drove into the city for a quick visit. This is our third week on the boat so we found the traffic etc too much !

Here is a picture of The Waving Girl Statue in Downtown Savannah. Florence Martus with her faithful collie by her side would greet every passing ship with a wave of her handkerchief or table cloth during the day and a lantern at night. She did this for 44 years until she retired in 1931.

Todays journey demanded our attention once again for almost six hours. Leaving Port Royal took us into Port Royal Sound and down Skull Creek passing Hilton Head and Daufuskie Island ( Calibogue Sound ). We passed the ferry that goes to Haig Point and headed into Cooper River. Several areas during this section are shallow but staying with the markers seemed to do the trick ( again the water level appears at least six to eight feet lower than usual ). New Horizon cruises into Georgia as we entered the Savannah River into Elba Island Cut ( which I learned later that Florence Martus lived on Elba Island with her brother who was the lighthouse keeper ). The picture above is the demolition of the old Bascule Bridge which has been replaced by the New Causton Bridge.

After a lovely brisk walk around this most beautiful neighborhood Nana showered and later we made dinner onboard. We were looking forward to eating outside but those nasty No-See-Ums took over !! Tomorrow we will aim to get to Jekyll Island MM 684  - one of our favorite places - it might be a reach so we will see. 

SH Port Royal MM 542

Todays cruise was all about the docks dotted all along the route. Some are very very long, some have railing ( which is really nice ), some are in great shape while others have been taken over by the birds. Either way maintaining theses structures must be horrendously expensive. 

We passed the cruise ship the American Eagle at a particularly industrial part of the channel Yonges Island along Oyster Creek. Again the water level is really low with lots of muddy exposed banks. As you can see from below the green marker is literally stuck in the mud!

Nandad did most of the helm today so he needed to stretch before arriving into SH Port Royal which is adjacent to Beaufort.

While cruising the Ashepoo Cut Nana tried to capture the mystic of the dangling moss.

After a very friendly welcome by the staff at SH Port Royal we took a stroll around the very quaint neighborhood, relaxed on the boat and had an excellent dinner at the Marker 244 - their local restaurant. If you wanted to spend time in this area there is plenty to do between these two historic towns of Port Royal and Beaufort. In addition to the antebellum homes, there are several pre civil-war churches, the Beaufort Museum, horse and buggy rides, observation tower and lots more. You can even visit iconic movie locations. However Nana and Nandad will continue their journey and aim to reach Georgia tomorrow.