CODA BAHAMAS BOUND 2024-2025 (46)

 CODA : Final days in Georgia:  saving the best for last.

12 November 2024

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Cumberland Island, Georgia  

"Star" one of the wild foals we saw today (Named by a 9 year old girl we met while visiting. She named every other horse she saw as well.)

Marc-  We had a late start this morning at 09:00.  We needed help since Coda was pinned against the dock by the heavy current (4 knots) and the northeast wind (15 knots).  This inner slip can be a bear to get out of and two dockhands helped out.  My first try was getting the bow thruster to just turn the bow into the current.  We made it half way and then tried something else.  We did the old spring-line trick.  We tied the forward spring on and then I gave it lots of forward thrust thereby kicking the aft end of the boat out.  As soon as the aft end was as far out as it was going I applied heavy reverse thrust turning the wheel over and then just backed out at speed.  If you have ever tried backing a sailboat it is not easy especially when you are limited in space by a bridge 50 feet to port and docked boats 25 feet to starboard.  I really like having a boat with a big engine and a three bladed propeller = mega thrust.

The adventure continued as we made our way over to Cumberland Island for the next few days exploration.  The traditional north wind was blowing so sail up.  By the time we reached across St. Andrew's Sound the wind had diminished and the current had turned on us (outgoing tide from Jekyll is still an outgoing tide when you try to sail in behind Cumberland Island.  The engine cured that problem.  There was some little excitement when we reached the Saint Marys Nuclear Submarine base.  The base is right on the ICW and is patrolled 24/7 by armed US Navy Security.  Right at the turn into Cumberland Sound is the repair dock and there was a nuclear submarine having some work done.  We remained as far away as possible as we slipped by heading for the National Park Service Sea Camp  Visitors Center at the Southern end of the Island.  Excellent facilities here that welcomes boaters.

Our land based hikes were great seeing beautiful live oak forest, incredible beach, Carnegie Mansion ruins, and most especially the wild horses and armadillo.  The Park Rangers were terrific too.

Nuclear sub and patrol boat.

I had a difficult time making out what this was from the front end (some kind of dredger).

Dinghy dock.

Seemingly endless trails (love the shade).

We were told that this variety is edible.

Lucy Carnegie's Dungeness Mansion (ruins are still impressive).

The horses come to graze on the extensive lawns.

Foal named "Butterscotch".

Lucy's statues and roses have survived better than the mansion.

When the wind picked up to 20 knots we headed north for the Brickhill River and the Plum Orchard National Park Service Mansion site.  Lots of these signs around marking the shallow spots.

Anchored at Plum Orchard.

Anchorage sunset.

Lou- Dad did an amazing job of covering everything! I'll just add that I am enchanted by this place! An island with castle ruins and wild horses? Sign me up!