We left Brunswick Landing, Brunswick, GA on Wednesday (12/4) morning about 8:25. Well Michael almost left without “yours truly”. As I was releasing the lines and Michael was backing out of the slip, I was a little too slow getting back on board – and didn’t make it. It was quite breezy, so he had to do a round-about to come back and get me. Oops.

There was quite a bit aof commercial traffic as we exited, and we had real skinny water just before we reached the Jekyll bridge but overall it was an easy journey of just under five hours.

We arrived at Amelia Island Marina, Amelia Island, FL. Notice we’re in Florida now. We were assigned slip B-14 which was a tight fit. We, literally, had to push the huge boat on our port side over so we could wedge our fenders in between us. Yuck. Once secure we went to check in, a short doggie walk and stopped in at the on-site restaurant for snacks and a drink. Very pleasant, basking in the sun overlooking Scout.

On Thursday (12/4) morning we waited for the tide to rise so we’d have enough water to get out. About 11:00 a couple of folks on the dock walked us back out of the slip – we were kind of like a sausage being pushed out of our casing. Once free we continued south for about two hours. It was an absolutely beautiful morning, the sun was shining brilliantly, and the temperature was in the mid-60’s.

The plan today – anchor out. As we entered the channel to the anchorage it was very shallow. The depth sounder showed four feet at one point. We proceeded slowly and made it through without touching bottom. Around 1:00 we dropped anchor right in front of the Kingsley Plantation.  Named after Zephaniah Kingsley who moved to Ft. George and established the Plantation in 1814. He brought his wife and three children (the fourth was born on the plantation). His wife, Anna Magigine Jai, was purchased from Kingsley as a slave. She participated in the plantation management, acquired her own land and slaves when freed by Kingsley in 1811.

We brought Scout-About down from her perch, loaded up the doggies and proceeded to the Plantation’s dinghy dock, tied up and walked the grounds. We were the only boat in the gorgeous anchorage until the sailboat Orion came in later in the day. We had dinner on board and a lovely quiet and very dark night.

Again, we waited for the tide to rise and weighed anchor about 9:50 on Friday (12/5) morning. A local fisherman told Michael that we should hug the port side and we should be fine going out – we did, and we were – never saw less than nine feet. Today we traveled through the Jacksonville ship channel which is very busy! It’s amazing to see how much stuff is transported over the water.

About four hours later we arrived at Ortega Landing Marina in Jacksonville, FL. Once checked in we went for a walk-about. Snooki had been feeling a little under the weather – doing a lot of butt-scooting so we decided to stop in to try to see a Veterinarian. After a couple of hours, the vet examined her and said she probably had allergies and was butt-scooting to scratch the itch and irritated her bottom. She said, “welcome to Florida” and gave us a salve, an antibiotic and told us to pick up a “people” allergy medication and “Scooter Snooki” should be better in a few days.

This is a beautiful marina, in a great location, with a Publix and West Marine within easy walking distance. We tried to get a reservation here for the month of December, but they were full. We’ll leave here Tuesday morning for Epping Forest Yacht Club, Jacksonville, FL. The Yacht Club was damaged by the hurricane and they just reopened last week so we’re not sure what to expect but plan to stay there for the month of December. It will be nice not to have to plan were we will sleep every night for a while, especially during the holidays. 

Traveling south this time of year, we’re finding a lot of the marina’s are full. Apparently the “snow-birds” make their reservations about a year in advance as they move south looking for warm weather and palm trees. Will keep you posted once we get settled in at EFYC.