Georgia on my mind
20 April 2013 | Jekyll Island, Georgia
Thursday, April 18th - We made the 8:30 bridge lift as we headed out from St. Augustine for Fernandina Beach. We are both in bathing suits today - it is hot and humid. It was another day of swamp interspersed with upscale neighbourhoods of very large homes. During the trip we passed a Beneteau 37 named Vixen, heading south. A few minutes later, they called on the radio to say they have been following our blog! What a surprise! We arrived at Fernandina Beach at 5:45 and anchored just outside the mooring field along with several other boats.
We had heavy winds through the night and today, Friday, is still very warm; warm enough for bathing suits. We waited for a rising tide and headed north again for Jekyll Island, Georgia. The rising tide gave us a nice push - we travelled at over 7 knots, arriving and docking at 4 pm. Heavy winds and thunderstorms are forecast for the next few days so we will likely stay put.
During the evening the rain and winds began and Saturday morning we awoke to 13 degrees! The rain continued throughout the morning and it remained cold all day. We actually used the fireplace today to warm up the boat! Have we started north too soon?
We had planned to tour the historic part of the island by bicycle, but it is so cold, we borrowed the courtesy car and then walked to see how the rich spent their summers in the 1920's and 30's-Goodyear, J.P. Morgan, Rockefeller and Vanderbuilt were all among those having summer homes here. Many of them have been restored. Prior to their building their summer homes, the Jekyll Island Club was the private domain of the rich. It has also been restored and is now a hotel.