MADE IT!

Ok, I know its been a while since there has been an update. Here's the deal:

I ended up being holed up in Fernandina beach a little longer then I expected. Wednesday was the windiest day of the month so I didn't even go close to the water instead I rested and explored Fernandina, which by the way is a great little town.

Thursday I had every intention to paddle, and had set a pretty narrow window of when I needed to leave so that I would not be totally hindered by the tidal currents. Unfortunately I felt pretty horrible Thursday, ended up sleeping WAY in and missed that window. Fortunately my mother was still around and we were able to have a nice day together touring Fort Clinch, built to protect Cumberland Sound, and exploring more of Amelia Isl.

Yesterday was a big day. A milestone day actually, as I finally reached Georgia! I left Fernandina around 10 am, trying to cross Cumberland Sound just before the mid-incoming tide so that I could ride it up the backside of the island and into the Crooked River. A little way into the Crooked River my chart showed what looked to be a pretty convenient little shortcut, the Brickhill River, and there were a couple small boats that branched off and took it. Against much temptation I withheld. I'm sure it would have been fine but sticking to the Waterway ended up being the better decision anyhow I think b/c as the tide began to go back out I was rewarded by being in deeper water (so a faster current). I stopped for my only break on an exposed shell bank just across the water from the tip of Little Cumberland Island. The water had begun to get quite choppy so I wanted to rearrange the gear I was carrying to add some more weight to the bow, and put on my skirt before attempting to cross St. Andrew's Sound which everyone kept telling me was the hardest of GA's sounds to navigate. It took me about an hour to cross the 3 mile wide sound and the tide was still moving out pretty quickly so despite my best effort I ended up getting sucked out pretty well. I hit Jekyll Isl. on the very SE tip and hopped out just for a moment on the absolutely amazing beach.

I finished the day with just a few more miles around, into Jekyll Creek, and up to the Jekyll Island Club for a total of 32 miles where I was able to get some dinner and rest up. I am planning on camping the next too nights and have some good sites scouted out. It feels like it has been so long since I camped last.

Oh also, I noticed that people seem most interested in hearing about my "romantic escapades." I guess I should have mentioned that they will have to be exaggerated too.......sorry.

I'm going to try to get back to a regular blog update schedule so keep checking back please.



IT FEELS GREAT TO BE IN GEORGIA! Flordia was fantastic but I am not sad to be moving on. Plus, I should be within 100 miles of Hilton Head if I can reach my campsite tonight. Thats where I have my sites set now.

-Seth