Georgia on my mind!

After a three week hiatus, we are back on the water, and anchored off Cumberland Island, Georgia.  Cumberland Island is Georgia’s southernmost barrier island, and is about 36,000 acres in size.  Cumberland history lesson: first were the Native Americans, the Timucua nearly 4000 years ago.  Then the Spanish came and went, taking or killing (by disease) the Timucua.  In 1783 Nathaniel Green (a famed general under George Washington) bought the island and started building Dungeness Plantation.  He died before it was completed, but his widow finished it with her new husband (moral-we are doing the loop now).  It later burnt, and the property was bought by Andrew Carnegie’s brother, Thomas, who started rebuilding the plantation home.  He also died before it was completed.  It burnt again in 1945, and the Carnegie family donated the island to National Park Service, which operates it as a National Park today.  There is a herd of wild horses that roam the island, along with deer, turkey and other wildlife.  Most visitors come via ferry from St Marys, Georgia, but the park service has a nice dinghy dock for boaters, and there are several other Loopers anchored here.  At night, after the ferry service stops, it is downright peaceful.  The only lights are from the trident nuclear submarine base across the sound (nothing like that in the Bahamas!).  When a sub is going or coming, the inlet is closed to other traffic.  No one has played chicken with a sub, as it has the right of way even if it is wrong…..  St Marys has a submarine museum which is reported to be quite good, and we will try to stop there. 

There is about a six foot tide swing here, so we have to anchor in at least 12’ at high tide.  If not we will awake to a nasty surprise!  Also, depending on the tide, currents are stiff and can either slow us down or speed us up by two to three knots.  Our average speed in the ICW is eight knots, so that is significant.  I have placed Alexis in charge of plotting each day’s journey, and she is proficient in figuring all the variables to determine how far we can go in a day.  I guess all that CPA training paid off!  Tomorrow we head to Jekyll Island. 

Calm Atlantic Ocean as we head out from Jacksonville.

Old fort at the entrance of St Marys River.

Note the feral horse on the beach. (Click on the pic to enlarge it.)

History of Cumberland Island in a nutshell.

The remains of the Carnegie home built on the old Green site.

Horses run wild throughout the island.  

This scene reminds me of home.  The Carnegies built a duck camp and this was taken from the old dock.  

We were walking this trail, and were nearly run down by this fellow.  

The water here has a red hue from tannins in the water.  

Traveling Soul is at anchor to the left (Moondance is center).  We had previously met Mike and Ann at Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Exumas.  To the right is Secret Spot, another Mainship from Myrtle Beach, SC.  It is fun seeing old acquaintances and meeting new friends.