Marineland Marina seems to be our port-in-the-storm-meet-great people place. Plus, it’s small and quiet and eco-friendly. And who can not like the beach across the road, Marineland itself and walking trails just a few steps from your boat. Oh, and this:

Those of you at home probably don’t see what is missing on this machine. Hint- no coin receptacle!

After St. Augustine we decided to spend a few nights here as we had some time to kill before moseying down to old Velcro Beach City Marina and a mooring ball perhaps shared with another boat- or not. For those still sticking with us on our crazy nomadic life I feel the need to acknowledge that so far this power cat cruising year has been BORING… for you as readers, but for me… I like it that way!! No tall mast to worry about hitting a bridge, no sailing in the ICW and going aground, no torn sails because someone pushed a bit too hard and not so much anchoring out because we are too wide. Don’t worry though, we still could drag anchor; oh but no, not with Ms Ultra. 🙂

Is this bridge opening or closing? and do we care?

Project time- oh but this looks like a water prob? Note the moisture meter on deck.

Happily docked at Marineland Marina

Kayak tour company, Ripple Effect Eco Tours is located at the marina and Russ signed up for a tour along with a few other cruisers who’d come in at the same time we did. The area is perfect for safe, leisurely and informative kayaking. How about this tidbit: the term “Skinny as a rail.”  Not a train track rail but a bird.  They are seldom seen in the tall grasses because they hide so well by making themselves flatter and squeezing further into the dense grass. Further checking indicates that guide Quint told a plausible yet not accurate tale to eager participants.

Well look who is arriving

M/V Traveling Soul caught up with us here and we enjoyed time with them. Two years ago we met here and have kept in touch ever since, ours paths crossing on land and on water.

All hail to Traveling Soul

The marina offers  several perks if you stay three or more nights; discounted kayak tours, free admission for two to Marineland and use of a loaner car for a grocery trip to Publix six miles south. We took advantage of all three.

The dolphin pools appear to merge with the ocean

Better close-ups than we ever get from the boat.

Wednesday all the transient boats gathered on the floating dock for happy hour. Cordelia and Cara (the young girls on s/v Never Land) entertained us with music, drawing and a boat-load of energy and inquisitiveness.

Happy hour on the transient dock next to Twin Sisters.

Lady’s Island Bridge- from Factory Creek looking toward downtown Beaufort, SC

Many vessels love Georgia but hate the ICW where shoaling is a huge problem in many places. Since Georgetown we’d been managing it with luck and adjusting our speed from time to time. Just because we only need 2 ½ ft of water doesn’t mean we want to hear the depth sounder squawk at 6ft.
From Tuesday on, the weather looked ideal to keep moving so I wrote up a sheet showing where we’d stop each night, the mileage and the problem areas for the day. Then I checked the tide at the trouble spots and for the most part we would naturally be OK. Planning for tide and current isn’t always easy but adjusting our speed up or down is easy so we handle it that way. Having fearless deeper draft boats right ahead of you doesn’t hurt either. 🙂
Bea-utiful Beaufort, SC got a wave and glance as we opted to pass by this time. We anchored nearby though in Factory Creek which is lined with lovely southern homes, all with docks for their water toys. At the southern (entrance) end of the creek sits Lady’s Island Marina; a five-star marina that Twin Sisters may grace with her presence one day. We hear it’s a good stop. 🙂

Ogeechee River sunset. We anchored off the channel in a spot we’d used before

Ogeechee River sunrise from our anchorage

We stepped off the beaten path near the northern tip of St Simon’s, GA; nearly running aground entering the very curvy Frederica River. Maybe I should have said, “extremely favor the south side.” This route takes you by Fort Frederica where we’d visited last November via RV stop in Brunswick. Cannons pointed but not fired; I think our disguise is working.

Fort Frederica- are those cannons pointed at us?

Almost useless dinghy dock at Fort Frederica. Mind the 8ft tide here.

zap!

Our next stop was Fernandina, FL. We’d zoomed through Georgia so quickly that I forgot we’d crossed the FL line.

This looks like the right section

The papermill was on its best behavior (ok, the wind was) and not until we were leaving the next morning did I start to gag. Walked around historic downtown area, shops, dining spots and a block north found Nana Theresa’s bakery :-). Scrumptious crumb cakes; three varieties to tempt you and they were delicious.

Sunset and a papermill

A trip wouldn’t be complete without a St Augustine stop. Although last December was phenomenal getting to see Rockapella perform free just a short walk from the state park on Anastasia Island.

uh oh we are in their sights

Shopping, eating, tasty libations and a long over-due haircut for Russ helped us to forget how wavy and bumpy the mooring field was.

The Gourmet Hut has gotten fancier with tablecloths and painted chairs.

Crucial Coffee sits next to The Gourmet Hut and is one of many places to satisfy your caffeine craving.