Whenever we're heading off shore we plan our trips carefully according to the weather forecasts available at the time and supplemented with info from other cruisers. Once we've decided on a route and schedule we try not to second guess ourselves too much, so it's always rewarding when other people come up with the same plan. Such was the case when we left Charleston for Cumberland Island Georgia. After waiting a few days for the seas to lay down we were one of 10 boats from around the harbour that left at the same time for the 165 mile trip down the coast. The 9.5 knot ebb tide carried us out the channel to a very smooth almost windless ocean as we set course for the south. The 24 hour motor sail was uneventful, with the exception of going through areas of Portuguese Man of War. However, Mother Nature did treat us to a spectacular sunset and followed by a beautiful full moon that lit our way all night.

We decided to spend a few days exploring Cumberland Island which is right on the Florida Georgia border. This 17 mile long barrier island is a beautiful national nature park that at one time was 90% owned by the Carnegie family. We spent the first 2 days anchored at the south end near Dungeness, which are the ruins of their 82 room mansion. The island is only accessible by ferry which certainly helps to protect the uniqueness of the island and it was interesting to note how respectful all the visitors are of the island. A popular attraction on the island is the dozens of feral horses that have roamed here for a few centuries.

After a couple of days we decided to move 8 miles north to another anchorage for a change of scenery. As we were preparing to move the Navy started broadcasting navigation restrictions that would affect us. There's a large submarine base that we could actually see from the anchorage and there was a sub inbound from the ocean. Needless to say they're very strict about anybody getting near them so we wisely held our position until they were by, but then we still had to sit in the channel for 20 minutes until they were fully docked.

The northern anchorage was in an area called Plum Orchard, which was the home of one of the Carnagie children. The 50 room mansion was lived in until the 1970s and is now open daily for free guided tours. The well informed guide gave us a very informative tour of the Plum Orchard Mansion that also gave a glimpse of the family history. As we wandered from room to room there were numerous candlestick holders but no sign of Professor Plum or Colonel Mustard. This island certainly is a gem and we hope to spend more time here but it's time to get moving again.

Today's picture is if a young feral horse at Plum Orchard.