We continued our journey north from Sawpit Creek, up the ICW.
We passed under the Kingsley Creek Railroad Bridge, and happened to time it when no train was there, and it was open for us!
We passed along the gorgeous salt marshes of Amelia Island. I believe that the reason many people have trouble with groundings is because they get too tunnel visioned with their GPS. Charts are merely aids to navigation, as are channel markers and buoys. If the chart shows the most water along the right-hand bank, that is the spot to look for the most water, even if following the right-hand bank shows that you are on the edge of the land. This morning made for easy water reading, because the current was running into the wind, and where the most troubled waters were pretty much indicated the current and the depth.
We passed by the town of Fernandino Beach, FL, with its vast variety of boats, ranging from ships, to commercial fishing, shrimpboats, tug boats and barges, dredges, yachts, sailboats, and a few trawlers!
Continuing into the St. Mary's River, we decided not to go to close to Fort Clinch, due to the wind and tides, but continued on across the river to our destination, Cumberland Island. We anchored far enough to the north to be in protected water when the forecast wind switches to the west. Did I mention that the first tropical storm, Anna, may be named later tonight, a little to the north of us The dramatic colors are evidence of the storm, with the darkness over the Atlantic Ocean, and the color in the sunset tonight.
We took the RIB filled with us and our two labs, into the dinghy dock at the SeaCamp dock, and walked across the island, through magnificent trees draped with spanish moss, until we reached the beach.
Ellen saw some horses to the south, and walked down to get this photo, while the dogs and I walked northward along the beach until we were well away of any people, and let the girls play in the water.
After walking north along the beach, we returned walking through the woods on the Parallel Trail. You never know what wildlife you may find on Cumberland Island!
After a brief rinse off and rest, we took the RIB, complete with fully content dogs into the southern exit of the Oldhouse Creek, idling through at low tide. The banks of the salt marsh creek are lined with oysters. There are a lot of birds I can't identify, as well as red-winged blackbirds, warblers, sandpipers, egrets, and a variety of herons.
There were several dolphins hunting together, herding baitfish up onto the bank and making quite a show of it! We poked around in the creek for about an hour before I made the decision to return on a foot higher, incoming tide.
What a beautiful place Cumberland Island is!
One note of caution: as with many wooded areas, these woods are FULL of ticks! Wear light clothing, put deet on at least your lower extremities, as well as the dogs... we have Frontline spray for the dog's legs, and both dogs have been vaccinated against lime disease. Before you go inside your boat, take the time to remove said varmits, and flick them with the wind! (Remember, don't spit into the wind!)
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