Oh those Shoals.
As noted earlier the south end of Walburg Creek re-enters the AICW. At low tide the shoals were only 3-4 ft deep. A pre-twighlight rise was required to catch high tide. Enough light was gathered before sunrise to discern the creek banks and the favored channels. Skirting along the north side of the channel avoided the shoaling on port. Julep ran into the AICW with no less that 9.5 ft of water under her toes.
Now we were headed into some skinny patches of water with a falling tide, so prudence was required. We passed the only sailboat encountered around 09:00 and caught some great currents for a fast run to the Frederica River. This run in Georgia is re-known for its switch backs and hairpin turns. The many range markers were indicative of narrow channels and shallow bordering waters.
The bright and clear day accentuated the marshgrass swamps and blue waters. As we approached the stretches above Bruinswick Ga the waters turned brown on Little Muddy.
The north end of the Frederica River junction with the Waterway on the Mackay River is shoaled on several sides. This past spring we found the guidebooks to be wrong about the recommended passage and were shown the way by a catamaran. This time we entered just before low tide and easily cleared the entrance.
Some might remember that Frederica was a fort built by the British in the late 1600's as they battled the Spanish for control north of Florida. As in April we anchored below the fort's ruins situated on Little St Simon's Island.
So an afternoon bathing in the sun was required to stage the run into Florida on Tuesday ahead of a strong cold front slated for late in the day.
Data: 06:30 to 12:40. Engine hours 1006.
1 comment:
Ruth and Dave, We have been enjoying your well written blog as we travel along just in front of you. We have been enjoying Vero since Friday and will finally take off for Mannatee Pocket today. Keep up the great work and continue to have the fun so obvious from your reporting. Trina and Joe on Snow Goose
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