Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Amelia Island Marina at Fernandina Beach, FL to Cumberland Island, Georgia

Day #294: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 6:00 A.M. to watch the local weather having coffee, mini blueberry muffins, grapefruit and cookies for breakfast. The two of us prepared the boat for departure but needed to wait for the water to increase in the basin as at 7:10 A.M. we were at low tide and the low water alarm was sounding while at the dock. The marina has a channel that leads in and out that drops to 3.5 feet at low tide the "Parrot Bay" draws 4.0 feet so there is a good chance of us getting stuck in the channel so we opted to wait until the water starts to come back into the marina. I called making reservations for next week at Downtown Marina of Beaufort, SC, St. John's Yacht Harbor, John's Island, SC and Isle of Palms in Charleston, SC. The weather was beautiful sunny. At 8:15 A.M. the engines were started. At 8:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the channel and was into the ICW with 4.0 on depth. At 8:50 A.M. we met a tug/barge. At 9:00 A.M. Mike and I passed Fernandina Beach Marina that is being repaired after being hit by Hurricane Matthew. At 9:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" crossed into Georgia after being in Florida for 161 days. At 10:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was anchored securely off of Cumberland Island after traveling 12.2 miles (2,988.2 miles total for the trip). Mike put up the wind scoop and put the two outside refrigerators on propane. The two of us had lunch onboard waiting to make sure that the anchor was not going to drag. At 11:30 A.M. the two launched the dinghy heading over to walk on Cumberland Island. One of the things that Cumberland Island is well known for are wild (feral) horses. Mike and I saw lots of horse poop but no horses. The two of us walked the beach Mike finding lots of horseshoe crab shells. At 3:00 P.M. we headed back to the boat. It had turned 180 degrees with the reversing of the tide. Mike and I saw "Laurie Jean" and "Myra-Marie" at the dock. The two of us had happy hour on the flying bridge enjoying the view. Late afternoon there were 15 boats anchored. Kent and Heather from "Heartbeat" stopped by on their way back to their boat with their golden retriever. Mike and I had dinner onboard the boat using the propane stove to heat up dinner. After dinner the two of us headed back up to the flying bridge to see if we could spot a horse but we were unsuccessful. The boat turned again so today it has swung a full 360 degrees. At sunset multiple boats were heard sounding their conch shells.