Disney!

We just had an incredible experience with our granddaughter and her parents, as we spent two days at Disney with them, breakfasting with the princesses, experiencing the Bippidy Boppody Salon, meeting and greeting all of the Disney characters, the fantastic parades and FIREWORKS, Beth, like you have never seen. Willow had the most marvelous time celebrating her fourth birthday, the most perfect age to share this magical experience.

Brunswick, Georgia

The St. Simons inlet is a cinch to enter, well marked and deep to accommodate the multitude of commercial vessels---the big guys, not just the shrimpers. Several boats were at anchor by green 249; we had set the hook here 10 years ago when we bought First Edition and sailed her home from Ft. Lauderdale. We headed instead to Brunswick Landing Marina, where for $11 a foot we are taking a slip for the month of November, while we visit my aunt and share our granddaughter's birthday adventure to Disney. We will likely depart here mid November after my visit to NJ for a doctor visit.

So far, we love this marina. Slips are wide apart for easy docking and Sherry, the dockmaster, is a pro. Laundry is free, and the equipment functions! Shower rooms are clean and plentiful. Sherry provides a handout with all the important info about local restaurants, stores, and the like, and maps highlighting important sites in town. One of the shrimpers will sell jumbos to the common man for $5/pound!

Our first visit was to The 4th of May for their Sunday brunch. (This restaurant is owned by 3 women, all born on that date!) If you name a brunch dish, it was there. They even had lox, cream cheese, and bagels, but the latter were laden with cranberries. Heh, this is the South.



As it was Sunday, everything was closed, but we got the lay of the land for our time here.

Georgia Dolphins Awarded Best in Show

After leaving Wrightsville, we had a 48 hour trip (through two nights) to Brunswick, Georgia. Most of the time, the wind was directly behind us and after trying to sail with the jib alone, we gave up, and motored. Seas were big, perhaps 7-8 feet but fortunately behind us as well. We actually took a breaker over the stern that washed the decks. On Day 2 the winds turned a bit east, and we managed to get the jib up without slatting.

We travelled part of the way with Fine Lion and Sapphire, and dropped them off as planned in Charleston. Along the way we talked with Aquila and Cygnus, the latter headed for our destination. In fact, Cygnus followed us in the inlet around 7:30 in the morning, but continued down the ICW while we headed to the marina.

But our best travel companions were the dolphins. Always around at feeding time (sunrise and sunset), the Georgian dolphins decided to give us quite the show, leaping and speeding by us all throughout the days. There is no question that they like to entertain themselves and us as well.

As Kathy on Sapphire recently said, every time you see a dolphin it is as exciting as the first time... Click on the play button in the left corner of the video that follows to get an idea of the Dolphin Show. (This is my first video, bear with me.)

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Wrightsville Bonus

While monitoring VHF16, we heard Sapphire and Fine Lion (whom we had hoped to see in Oriental)and found out that they were headed here, with the intention of leaving the next day for Charleston. Although we would be passing by that wonderful harbor and phantasmigorical shopping opportunity, we would have company for the first 17 hours of our 48 hour trip. Plus, these guys are always game for a decent cocktail hour!

I recently found out that Kim on Fine Lion has RA. This was amazing to me, since I have known her for two years (although we were ships passing in the night last year), and never had a clue. Kim is a lot younger than I, and caught this thing alot earlier, so she has had lots of experience and knowledge to share. It is not the same thing as misery loves company, but it is so great to have some one to talk to about it and get a hug when you are done. Thanks Kim.

So, we all plan an early departure, with First Edition headed for Brunwick, Georgia. First, fish tacos ashore. Chris Parker gives us a green light, so off we go...

Wrightsville Beach

This stretch of the ICW is awful. (I guess I say that a lot. Shows how much I like the ditch.) This leg took ten hours, during which it rained and drizzled much of the way. There are 4 bridges from Swansboro to Wrightsville, and timing them so that you don't have to slow down and mess around with the current has been impossible for us. The final bridge at Wrightsville Beach opens only on the hour, and if you arrive early, be aware that the current here will take over, and at least at one side of the ICW (port side South bound) it shoals rapidly, and of course I know this because I found its bottom.

After the Wrightsville bridge you take a port turn into the Motts Channel. Hold your breath, it is shallow, we saw 6 1/2 feet but nothing less. The favored anchorage is north of the channel by the bridge, where the public dinghy dock can be found. We came in late so took the south side. Holding is great.

At the dinghy dock, you can walk over the bridge to get to the post office, or go right to get to "the strip", where you will find Roberts Market (which had nearly bare shelves on our visit and a broken frozen food case, so no ice cream), a great Mexican restaurant, and the Wrightsville Beach, where water sports abound.
We will hang here for a few days waiting for the weather to improve to go offshore. Enough of the ICW hassles.

Markers on the ICW

I am some what sure that at one time mile markers were evenly spaced and prevalent along the ICW. With the neglect of the waterway, it seems that the markers are few and far between. Most cruisers carry an ICW guide that leads you along the way, identifying anchorages and marinas and the like by the mile marker it is located at or near. Our electronic chart has no such identification, although the papercharts do indicate the mile marks. Incidentally, the ICW is based upon statute miles, and a nautical mile is approximately 9/10th of that measure.

Along most bridges (but not all) you will find markers indicating the height of the bridge clearance. In this picture, a mast higher than 65 feet will clear under. Most fixed bridges are 65 feet, with the notable exception of a Florida bridge that we never pass under, and the Wilkerson Bridge in North Carolina, which is said to be 64 feet. Strong southerly winds can blow water into the ditch, decreasing the clearance. So, if you are 62 1/2 feet like First Edition, you should have nothing to worry about except in those conditions.

And you wonder why I was scared?

A picture speaks a thousand words.