May 2007
With Bridget and Aspen back in Colorado we had the opportunity to crew in a local race in a 45ft Hunter. We managed a third place out of six in our class and really enjoyed being out on the ocean again.
Florida and southern Georgia have been incredibly dry and fires have been raging over numerous huge areas. Many of these were in remote swamp areas and very difficult to contain. The resultant smoke has found its way into the marina at times and the plumes have been visible from satellite.
When we left the marina we found ourselves plunged into smog and suddenly we could not see the bow of the boat. With salt marsh all around radar was less than helpful and we ran aground! We then anchored until it cleared and we could journey north again.
When we reached Jekyll Island in Georgia two days later we encountered Andrea for the first time and were unimpressed...

The lighthouse on St Simon's Island in Georgia
John and Beth from Norstar
Angie with John and Marla from Misty
Coco Palms coming into flower in South Carolina
The predicted 5 day wind forecast for Andrea - we are just to the west at the junction of Georgia and Florida
The forecast track for Andrea moving at 3-5 knots

Usually named storms have the grace to wait un til June when we would be safely in Maryland. This year Andrea turns up just next door to us over the Gulf Stream and meanders over towards us. We hid in the shelter of Jekyll Island and watched the weather maps. As soon as it started to go south we went north!
While we waited out the danger we met up with John and Marla from Misty which is berthed in Brunswick, Georgia just close by. This meant we could eat out on St Simons Island by car and also look at some of the sights. It was great to see them again after our winter cruising and we hope they will join us in the Chesapeake Bay in the summer.

The trip further north was cooler than last year although there still seemed to be plenty of green horse-flies. This must surely be the Georgia State Animal! We played the tides as best we could and enjoyed the remote swamps and abundant wildlife.
Arrival in South Carolina following the new moon left us with Lowest Astronomical Tides (LATs) in the middle of the day and many patches of very shallow water to negotiate. Not a great match!

Both here and in North Carolina we helped the US Army Corps of Engineers who have no budget for dredging at present. Something to do with a war... At one point we pushed through about a third of a mile of soft mud at two knots.
We visited our friends John and Beth at Lighthouse Keepers Marina just south of the North/South Carolinas border. They have a beautiful Crealock 34 called Norstar and first met us in Charleston last year.

It was great seeing them again and we were able to share some meals out locally as well as attend the Summer Barbecue at the marina. The marina is built in an old coquina quarry and is huge. Much more space between the rows of berths than you would get these days.
On to the north again across North Carolina with its huge non-tidal sounds and all the cypress swamps. We have stopped in Coinjock near the northern border and plan on sharing a 32oz prime rib steak tonight.

A doggie bag will be essential so that half of it will be available for supper with a salad tomorrow as well. Just like having your own perfect Sunday roast.
Into Virginia tomorrow and then slowly up the Chesapeake Bay. We are flying out to Colorado in early June to meet our new Jeep and visit with Bridget, Mark and Aspen. Our next web page will be from there when we are back in our cabin again.

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