Chapter 45: St. Augustine to St. Simons Island

Log 45
ST. Augustine to ST. Simons Island, GA.

5:35 AM
Thursday, May 18, 2000
Golden Isles Marina
ST. Simons Island, Ga.

Day 46

We had a great day yesterday.
We left our marina in ST. Augustine about 6:30 just as it was starting to get light. In fact the sun didn’t come up until we were just north of the city. And when it did, it was beautiful. The first hour or so was a little cool, as the temperature was about 70. Then it warmed up nicely, and finally got to about 85 later in the day.
The Intracoastal has taken some very dramatic changes. Since we entered the Intracoastal in FT. Meyers, in January, the waterway has been narrow, with lots of population. Once we crossed the ST. Johns River near Jacksonville, and entered Georgia, the waterway opened up, and all day yesterday we were in much wider waters bordered by marshland. The markers were much farther apart, and the water is much deeper. These marshes are very close to the coast, and at times open up to huge “sounds” where they meet the Atlantic Ocean. The other thing changing is the tides. They are much larger, and they happen twice a day, verses once a day in parts of Florida. (How does that happen?) These tides really affect travel in certain places, because it can increase, or decrease your speed by up to 2 to 4 miles an hour. You should see some of the sail boats try to fight this tide sometimes. (As if I didn’t already have enough reasons not to own one of those, here’s one more)
We made great time yesterday. We started at mile marker 778, and made it to mile marker 677. It was a beautiful day, and we were able to make good time in those back marshes. We were at our marina by about 2:30. Once we got here we took on some fuel, ($1.25) and washed the boat. This is a great marina with all of the amenities, including a ship store, a bar, and a pool. We used all three. (Yes… Deb found a Pina Colada. And Darrell is becoming quite the Margarita Man)
I guess the most interesting fact about yesterday is how I can see the boating changing. No more mega yachts. No more million-dollar homes lining the water. We now see much smaller boats, and very modest lifestyle. Because we have been through here before (in 1992 when I took a friends 47 foot boat from Tampa to Philadelphia) I know what to expect, but it is very interesting to see the contrast. I have told people before that in this trip you see the almost every style of boating you can imagine, and it is sure proving to be true. (In one area we saw what slightly resembled a boat, and it looked like it might be floating. We assumed it had been abandon, until we saw someone come from the inside, and then we realized he probably lived there.)
In case I haven’t mentioned it lately. This trip is AWESOME!

Today….

It’s 6:05 now, and 74 degrees. The plan is to leave between 6:30 & 7. We would like to make it to mile marker 565, and Hilton Head Island, so we have to go about 110 miles. If we can make time like yesterday, it should be no problem. If we make it to Hilton Head, we only have to get another 80 miles or so on Friday, in order to get Darrell and Donna to Charleston where they can get a rental car. They will then drive to Myrtle Beach to catch a flight home. Charleston is also where Steve, and Chris fly into, on Saturday.

Well I need to get going…

BK.