Wind, Tides and Thunderstorms

 Along side looking at the Jekyll Creek south entrance

Due to shallow water through the Jekyll Island, GA area, we decided last night to go offshore all the way to Charleston, SC.  This morning we were under motivated to do a 154 nautical mile passage in the heat particularly due to the fact that the winds are forecast from the right direction but at speeds of 10 knots or less.  The heat index is forecast to be at least 108 degrees thus we decided to do a short sail to Jekyll Island then wait for high tide to transit the Jekyll Creek on high tide.  That short stretch from Jekyll Sound to St. Simons Sound is only about four miles long but it has not been dredged for some time due to lack of funding.  It is one of the places in Georgia that is "thin".  Nevertheless, we wanted to see some of Georgia in shore and decided on the short day. 

 The marina office, restaurant, pool and even a ship yard are all behind that hedge row.

In transit today, we passed the Sub Base, Fort Clinch and Cumberland Island.  The latter was owned exclusively by the Carnegie family but was given or sold to Georgia with the proviso that any family members, en perpetuity, could live on the island.  One such decedent does live on a boat in Fernandina.  Wild horses roam freely on the island. 

Jekyll Island is equally historical since it was the exclusive playground of such tycoons as the Morgans, Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts.  Is was the site for a secret meeting in 1908 for the meeting that developed the modern monetary system that led to the Federal Reserve System.  The private ownership declined in the Great Depression and during WWII.  The State of Georgia purchased the island in 1947 and started restoration of the mansions of the previous owners.  Many movies were filmed on the island including "Glory" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance".  The first transcontinental telephone call took place here between Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Watson and President Woodrow Wilson.  We might just take the tram tour of the restored houses. 

It is just past 1500 hours and the thunderstorms (biguns) are stacking up to the west.  Good to be tied up.  Bear made it the whole way today without too much pain and lots of sleeping in the cockpit.  She said she was up to 75% of full capacity.  We will take that and make the most of it.  At least she is smiling.