Saturday November 16: Anchored in the Duplin River - GEORGIA!!

It was a good start to the day yesterday. The engine turned over and started right up - guess the vented loop worked - YEA!!

Actually after I studied the engine manual and finally figured out how this vent loop would correct the problem, I was no longer concerned. Steve already had full faith we were going to be good.

The sunrise was quite nice - it was about the only sun we saw all day though. It was a leisurely morning as we waited a bit for the currents.

The Port Royal Sound was very nice and calm. Not anything like it would have been the morning after the 40 knot winds.

The clouds came as we approached Savannah - with rain due in. And in it came. Not a hard rain, just a constant light rain.

Good night to be in a marina again. We stayed at the Isle of Hope Marina south of Savannah. It was going to be an early start after a long day of 50 miles. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

But first it was time to change the transmission oil. Every 200 hours. We couldn't figure out why the drill powered pump couldn't suck the transmission fluid out.

Maybe it was the lack of more than half of the blades of the impeller ......



Regardless, we were up before the sun this morning (the nightime colors were on the GPS again ......) for another long day of 60 miles.

It was high tide when we left - like 7 feet of high tide. We draw only 3'8" so we could travel on just the water in the tide change itself! Makes for nice relaxed travel though knowing there is so much extra water. Especially as we needed to go through Hell Gate early this morning. It isn't called Hell Gate for no reason! Shallow spot for sure but no issues for us.


And then the fog appeared. At first it was not very thick and it was easy to see the shoreline and the markers. Then it got worse.

So this is why boats have radar! Instead, we have Steve to stand on the front deck and look around while I use the GPS to keep more or less on track. Funny how much harder it is to do that when the shoreline can't be seen.

But the sun finally came through and then it turned into a really nice day after all.


The cool wind was very light and traveling through the Georgia marshes actually made for a rather pleasant day ..... most of the day.

Until we have to travel through the parts where the little skull and crossbones appear! These are shallow areas marked by boaters - maybe shoaling or a wrong maker. Something that needs your attention!

There was really only one shallow area today (Little Mud River will be tomorrow and we'll go through on high tide). We found the best way to go through these areas: follow a sailboat! They usually draft 5 or 6 feet so if they can go, we can follow.

There was much chatter on the radio today with the sailboats all talking to one another about shallow areas. One sailboat ran aground and was going to have to wait for high tide.

Strange things today: a huge flock of seagulls floating in the middle of the river.

Seagulls flying behind us for a good part of the day. Not sure why as they didn't seem to find fish or anything in our wake. Why do they do that???

We're anchored in the Duplin River just a short 40 miles from Florida.

And it's getting warmer :-)  A low in the 60's.

I think it's salmon with dill sauce tonight - my favorite!!

Hope to arrive at Jekyll Island Marina in time to watch the Browns tomorrow. Guess that means another early leave time and hopefully no fog ...