Georgia (the Peach State)

     For the past two days, our trip has been all about the journey and not the destination.  Since leaving Fernandina Beach Wednesday morning (April 14), we have been faced with some new navigational challenges, so we have focused our energies on studying the charts and tides to plan our trip (aren't you impressed?).  But that is not the only reason we have been journey-oriented:  there just isn't a whole lot to do or see along the coast of Georgia.  Here's a short summary of the last two days:
     On Wednesday, we got up before dawn (not my choice) and we were off before daybreak to catch the high tide and get through some potentially rough-water areas before the wind picked up.  A short distance out, we passed a submarine base and the mandatory Navy patrol boat guarding the entrance.  I would have taken their picture, but I thought they might shoot me (not the friendliest guys on the planet).  We then took an alternate route around St. Andrew Sound (which is an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean and consequently a much more difficult area to navigate),  and as soon as we turned onto our new route, we saw some wild boar--four in all, and I assumed it was mom, pop and two babies.  In the photo below, you can only see mom and dad (black dots) because the kids are hidden in the grass (mom and dad are are pretty well hidden too, but use your imagination).

  

     This photo is also a summary of the scenery for the last two days--water, grass and an occasional tree.  But here is one more picture of a scene we saw constantly--birds nesting on the channel markers:

  

   We stopped for the night at Jekyll Island and it was nice, but nothing remarkable, and a little on the "rustic" side.  Our first task was to wash the boat, and boy was it dirty--and boy, is it big!  I helped a bit, but Art did the lion's share, photo below:

     We ate dinner at the Sea Jay Cafe right there at the marina and had a Low Country Shrimp Boil (shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn, along with cole slaw and rolls).  It was "all you can eat" and I would certainly earn a gold star for what I packed away!

     Next morning was up at dark again and off before sunrise.  We had a few more tough areas to navigate and a long journey--over nine hours on the water.  We are now at the Isle of Hope marina near Savannah.  Tomorow we will hang out here to rest, do laundry, and find a grocery store (the marina has a "loaner" car for us to use, so I am off in search of a Walmart Supercenter to restock!)