St. Mary's, GA

St. Mary's, Georgia

Happy Thanksgiving! A very different holiday for us, for sure. What a neat experience for us though. LOTS of boats, and LOTS of people from all walks of life and from all over the country & from other countries too...

There were 90 formally registered boats for the Thanksgiving meal but when you looked out in the harbor there were many, many more. The town of St. Mary's provided the turkeys, ham and oysters and the cruisers provided the side dishes and desserts. We have never had such a selection of food to choose from. Amazing!

What made the stop so special too was Nana was able to meet us there and join in on the festivities. She was our "family representative" for all those we love and miss.

Nana waving good-bye from the ferry that will take her back to St. Mary's. Our journey will begin early the next morning on the ICW to St. Augustine, FL. We'll be crossing into Florida in less than 12 hours! Florida here we come!

Enjoying a quiet moment watching the wild horses on Cumberland Island.


Nana out for a sail on Hook to nearby Cumberland Island.


New friends Owen and Zuber from s/v Shining Time

Is that plate all desserts?

Thanksgiving day potluck! Watch out! Well over 200 people coming through! St. Mary's had over 90 registered boats come in for the event.

The avid readers...

Maddie immediately finds someone with her same love of "fashion."


Emma and new friend Victoria of s/v Meriah. Victoria an 11 y/o experienced sailor and "oyster eater" taught Emma the art of "shucking"

The oyster "pit"

Steaming of the oysters.

After placing them on the metal sheet they were covered with a wet towel until the shells slightly popped open.

Complementary oyster feed at the Riverview Hotel the night before Thanksgiving

Nov 25-27, 2009

St. Mary's, Georgia

Cumberland Island, GA

Cumberland Island, Georgia

Cumberland Island was a great stop for us. We enjoyed the roughness of the trails and beaches here. Much less "groomed" than Jeckyl Island however back in the day it had many large important families estates out here. Rockefellar, Carnegie and Goodyear to name a few.

The wild horses stole our hearts and we saw 2 wild armadillo too! For small little creatures they can be quick! We'd like to spend more time here on our return trip. You could easily do a week on this island but we'd definatley recommend bringing a bike as there are many trails that take you all over the 20 mile long island. Our feet were quite tired just walking to the ruins and then cutting across the island to the beach! No room on our boat for bikes!

We cut across the island to find its beaches on the ocean side.

Watching horses from afar...

Destroyed by fire and never to be rebuilt secondary to the Great Depression years.

Gazing at the ruin "Dungeoness"

Left to Right: Emma and Madeline enjoyed naming the Wild Horses...

Chessy and Proder

"Proder"

Hiking along the roads in search for the wild horses and armadillos.

Getting ashore on Cumberland Island.

Ice house Museum...

Steve with friends from Maine, Don and Betty. Fancy who you see when traveling! We were able to raft up with them while enjoying the island.

Great to see you! Our paths probably won't cross again on this trip as they will be vearing off to explore the St. John River in Florida for the winter.

First view of Cumberland Island

Nov 23-24, 2009

Cumberland Island, Georgia

Jeckyl Island, GA

Jeckyl Island, Georgia

Two years ago we stumbled across Jeckyl when driving to Florida from Maine when visiting with Great Nan. We knew it would be a destination to return to. We met so many nice people during our time that it was difficult to leave. With Thanksgiving approaching the families were planning a small potluck and invited us to stay. Had we not made plans to go to St. Mary's we probably would have stayed. It was refreshing to be in an area with other children the kids ages. The children would run boat to boat to boat all day. One minute they would be here the next there. The parents just picked a boat in the middle to sit on and watched as they would scamper by!

Visiting the "posh" side of Jeckyl Island where guests play croquet all dressed in white.

Top to Bottom: "New Boat Friends!"
Madeline, Emma, Delanie, Mitchell and Chantelle

Live-a-boards from the Jeckyl Island Marina

Walking across the island at its narrowest point to find the beach!

Nov 21-22, 2009

Jeckyl Island, Georgia

Back Creek, Doboy Island, GA

Back Creek, Doboy Island, Georgia

Its been so hard to capture the dolphins as they swim next to our boat. They are so fast and you never know where they will come up next!

This was our best shot of many attempts to get their faces as they went by.

Emma chatting with Meme during the morning hours.

Nov 20th, 2009

Back Creek, Georgia

Vernon River, GA

Vernon River, Georgia

Gone shrimpin'

SUNK...Don't worry though this is not our mast!

Another bridge! There is 85 bridges to cross under on the ICW!!!

Nov 19, 2009

Vernon River, Georgia

Bryan Creek, GA

Bryan Creek, Georgia

Our first night in Georgia was shared with 2 dolphins guiding us into Bryan Creek right at sunset. It was almost like they were saying, "Stop here and rest your tired eyes."

It was going to be one of many remote anchorages through Georgia.

Bryan Creek, Georgia

November 18, 2009

Beaufort, SC

Beaufort, South Carolina

We loved Beaufort, SC! What a great little city. So much history all around you. There were still many old sea cotton and indigo plantation homes. The carriage ride took us right from the Town Dock down several historic streets. It even drove us underneath a huge live oak tree branch that hung 10 pirates back in the day. Scary! The girls thought it was pretty cool.

Nana met us right on the Town Dock! She was able to meet us along the way as she drove herself from Maine to Florida for the winter.
Hello Nana!


No matter where we are we seem to be able to find ICE CREAM!!!!


Some of the original "Tabby" construction is still left in Beaufort.
Tabby was the concrete of today. It is made of Oyster Shells not striped felines!

Our carriage ride hosts name was Don and the horse was "Doc".

This is the tree that hung the pirates!

Spanish moss covered trees. We have since learned that this moss is not a parasite. It does not harm the trees, it is a plant that feeds on air...

Beaufort, South Carolina

November 17, 2009

South Edisto River, SC

South Edisto River, South Carolina

This was a quiet day on the water. First time we didn't see many boats along the way. Kind of nice...

South Edisto River, South Carolina

November 16, 2009