Day 169-170 – 3/21-22/24

Starting location: Port 32 – Jacksonville at Ortega Landing Marina.

Weather: 47 am, 72pm, mostly sunny – Thursday 3/21. 61 am, 68pm, heavy rain until afternoon – Friday 3/22.

Ending location: Anchorage by Cumberland Island, GA. Just East of MM 703 on AICW.

Statute miles: 62, then 0 until departure

General summary: We left Florida after almost 4 months. In planning for this trip, we really had no idea we would be spending a quarter of the year in one state. Considering the length of its entire coastline and the proximity to warm weather throughout the winter months it makes sense, though, in retrospect. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here, but new pastures await. We decided not to spend time in Jacksonville, despite many great restaurants, museums, shops, a riverwalk, and free municipal docks, as we were itching to motor North before bad weather (wind) socked us in. So, we motored across the Florida/Georgia state line to end up anchored between the ICW and the West side of Cumberland Island, GA on the Brickhill River. There is a small dock near an old cotton plantation area named Plum Orchard where you can tie up between sunrise and sunset. Must leave dock and anchor nearby after hours. The dock only allows boats that are 25 feet or less, so we just made it! Small fee, per person ($15), for up to a week.

Hiked trails.

Visited Plum Orchard Mansion (built by the Carnegie family) and joined the free tour that is done three times a day by volunteers. This house had every manner of modern technology for that time (phone, refrigeration, elevator, AC, electricity, indoor plumbing).

There are feral horses that roam here, left by previous inhabitants (most say Spanish, some English) but we did not see any, despite numerous piles of evidence.

The First African Baptist Church, started by freed slaves on the island and the site of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s wedding is located on the North side. Would have been a 13 mile round trip walk and no anchorage nearby, so did not get to see it.

Boater information:

Public dock had good depth on both sides. Good number and size of cleats. No services. No see ums were intermittently horrible at dawn, dusk, and when the wind was calm.