June 27-July 2 2015 Brunswick Georgeia on to Wisconsin

We departed Fernandina Beach at leisurely hour and passed through Cumberland Sound.  Still no submarines except one at a dock.

Submarine at the dock as we cruised by

Leaving the Cumberland river we entered St. Andrews Sound.  And it was rough.  The channel runs almost out to the ocean before cutting back in towards the northwest into Jekyll Sound.

Some rough weather in St. Andrews Sound

We hit Jekyll Creek at very near high tide and breezed right through although the current was against us.  We were moseying along through the Creek at a tantalizing 6 MPH which to some on board was too tortoise-like.  But I always try and highlight the positives of slow travel.  You can see all the sights so much better.

Once we exited the Creek and entered St. Simons Sound we picked up some speed again and ran under the big Sidney Lanier Bridge before sliding our way into Brunswick Landing Marina.   Sherry the dock master met us on dock 15 located way back at the end of the marina.

Sherry the dock master

Deck hands watching Sherry tie up the boat.

We put the bow in first because it was easy and I wanted to go over to the fuel dock for fuel and a pump out the next day anyway.  Once we were tied up I dashed over to see Brent and Susan who were a few slips down from us.  They are old friends we have cruised on and off with for the last few years.  

All secured.

Jack and I went and took care of the  water and electrical hookups after we adjusted the dock lines.   Since it was late we just stayed on board and didn't venture out.

The next morning we started the pre-departure cleaning and straightening up regime.  I hauled and Mary did many loads of laundry.  The laundry place was a bit of a hike but the machines won rave reviews.  And it was cheap compared to other coin operated machines we've used at marinas.   A fun day, right Jack?

Ah, isn't this supposed to be a work day?

We pulled out the luggage and cleaned and dusted.  And vacuumed.   Later we all showered and put on clean cloths.  We were going out to eat with Brent and Susan.   Brent has his mini-van here so we avoided the half mile walk into downtown.

Dinner out,  Mary, Brent Jack and Susan

Downtown Brunswick is not real lively on Sunday nights  There aren't many restaurants open but we did discover one bar, whose name I've forgotten, that was so, we went there.  The food was just edible.

Afterwards we went to see Susan's art studio.  She's a delightful artist.  In fact we have a picture she painted of Mary Ann, the precocious parrot from Sandestin who we got to know quite well back in December 2013.

Jack washing down the boat

Next morning we continued cleaning the boat and began in earnest to pack.   Even Jack began  collecting all his stuff, which was scattered around the boat.  It was a busy day!  Later we all showered and dressed in our un-wrinkled finest for cocktails on Brent an Susan's boat.  Jack came along too.  Wonderful time!

Our latest pet

At some point over the last few days we ended up with a pet.  This cute snail came from somewhere and evidently decided there was better housing across the sun deck.  I applaud his fore thought in providing us a trail.  He ended up on the rock-lined shore near the boat courtesy of Jack.

The next morning Jack helped me set up the paraphernalia for pickling the water maker membranes.
  Pickling literally means circulating a solution of Sodium metabisulfite through the membranes for about 30 minutes.  This solution kills any little critters that maybe in the water, and keeps the membranes moist without the subjecting them to fouling.

Before we disconnected the high pressure fittings and hooked up the circulating pump we moved the boat.  Well, we motored over to the fuel dock for a pump out and fuel.  Even though we had more than a half tank, I wanted to fill them up.  Less air to hold the considerable moisture that's present here in Brunswick during the summer months.

And we pumped out the holding tank even though it was only 1/3 full.  Better to leave with an empty holding tank especially for the length of time we were expecting to be away..

We headed back to our dock and I started to back in but the current was really running.  Jack had ran back to the dock leaving Mary and I alone.  He was the only dock hand.

The technique for these high current situations is to get a line from the middle of the boat to the dock.  Then its rather easy to use the line to spring the boat closer to the dock.  For us though it took 4 tries before we had a line secure and the boat snuggling up to the dock.  But we made it and Jack is now an experienced dock hand!

That's us in the right center stern in to the dock

Once we were all secured again I went ahead and mixed the pickling solution and disconnected the high pressure lines.  I hooked up the pump and started it pumping.  It only took 30 minutes or so and once I shutdown the circulating pump I left the hoses all disconnected.  We have some high pressure leaks and I found a solution from Flaretite Seals which I'll use once we return to the boat in August.   For now though our membranes can be left for 6 months without having to back flush them every few weeks.

We finally finished packing, more or less, and headed to bed.  I was to pick up the car at 9AM but Hertz is almost 4 miles away and I'd normally walk there but intense pressure to get moving forced me to call Hertz for a pickup.  I arranged for an 8:30 pickup time at the marina.

Our ride

The next morning the Hertz lady was right on time and I was back at the boat in an hour with a brand new Nissan Atlima.  It wasn't the luxury model but still had the essentials, AC, cruise and a sizable trunk.

Once I was back we all repeatedly dragged a bag or sack from the boat to the nearby gazebo which was right next to the parking lot.  After we had everything there I backed the car up to the the gazebo and we started loading up the trunk.  And back seat (sorry Jack).

We had a ton of luggage and just general stuff to take back.  Usually we'll spill the excess over onto the back set.  But Jack with us, it took some creative stuffing to get everything all stowed in the poor car's trunk and backseat leaving enough room for Jack to breathe.

After we had the car crammed full,  I went back to the boat and setup the dehumidifier and drain hose, snaking it from the dehumidifier to the sink.  I had to block up the dehumidifier so it sat a little higher than the wheels allowed for so it would drain properly.

We closed everything up after I got our two small fans placed fore and aft.  Hope they can stay running for two months!  After a double check of the electrical panel and windows I shut the doors and jumped off the boat.

The last thing we had to stash in the car were Mary's herb plants.  We took one and I was going to gab the other after I went back to do a final check.  Of course I forgot so the the herb plant remained on the dock.

Breakfast

We needed breakfast and found a neat little place, Hungry Hannah's.    After chowing down we were back in the car and heading to Charleston which was less than 200 miles away.

Mary, sensing her missing herbs, interrogated me and I admitted my forgetfulness.  She called Brent and Susan who agreed to save me and take care of the plant until they leave a few days before we return.

Our plan for Charleston was to head to Patriots Point to see the ships there or, if we could make it in time, take the last tour to Fort Sumter which is what Jack really wanted to do.

It wasn't a particularly long drive but traffic on I-95 was teetering between heavy and solid.  After careful calculations we decided to try and get on the last ferry to the Fort and so Mary booked the tickets.

We entered Charleston in plenty of time and ended up taking Calhoun drive and road right past Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church which was the site of a mass shooting June 17.  It was a sobering sight with hundreds of floral wreaths and dozens of people milling about the entrance.

We reached Liberty Square next to the South Carolina Aquarium where the Fort Sumter ferry departs.  We had time to spare which was good since there was a little history museum at the ferry dock building.

Soon though we all boarded the ferry which is a rather large multi-level tour type boat.  We took seats up top and enjoyed a gran view of Charleston Harbor listening to the narrative of one of the park rangers.

As we approached the dock at Fort Sumter, we paused momentarily as another tour boat left the dock.  Then we made a large circle to head into the current and wind as we made the approach to the dock.  I was sitting very near the pilot house and was surprised to hear the captain suddenly make some disparaging remarks about the "damn boat" as we came close.  But the wind and current pushed the boat of the dock and the deck hands failed to get a line secured so we basically missed the dock.

To the captains credit, the winds were strong and the current was running as well.  Difficult conditions.  The boat, a twin engine ferry, had lost an engine as we approached the Fort's dock and that  prompted the captains remarks.  When I talked with him his words regarding the boat were, well guarded.  But he was not a happy captain.

Jack ready to enter the Fort

Luckily the engine re-started as we came around for another try and this time the deck hands did manage to secure a line and the captain was able to spring the boat to the dock.  Yeah!!

We all disembarked and gathered for another park rangers talk about the Fort.  Very interesting.  He engaged the group too asking people to answer questions he would pose.  Answers were gently corrected prompting additional questions.  It was very well done.

Jack, would raise his hand during when the ranger would ask a question and was called out twice.  Of course, he always answered correctly.  Little professor...

The Fort

As we moved around the Fort, another park ranger interrupted the processing with an announcement about an immediate departure time due to weather.  And sure enough looking out towards the southwest there were very dark, ominous clouds.  Forecasts for severe thunderstorms were being issued for Charleston and surrounding area.

The Fort and our tour boat at the Fort's dock

 We were actually given 10 minutes to board the boat.  I only had time to breeze through the little museum before being chased out.

The weather moving in

We all did make it aboard in the requisite time and departed the dock as one of the rangers announced we had about 35 minutes before the weather was expected to hit.  That would put us at the dock about the same time as the rain.  The parking garage was a few blocks away so a mad dash through a thunderstorm was probably in our future.

As we came close to the ferry dock the boat suddenly headed back out towards the harbor main channel.  gin, one of the engines had quit.  We ended up circling in the harbor with ever escalating winds and traffic.  Large freighter traffic to be specific.  In fact we were off to the side of two freighters passing each other, one going out to sea and the other returning.  Exciting.

Freighter traffic as we circled.  And ugly skies 

We ended up circling for abut 15 minutes when the dead engine burst into life again and the captain steered right for the dock.  The rain never materialized except for a few sprinkles.  The wind remained strong.

We speedily made our way to the parking garage and left heading over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge towards Patriot Point and a hotel there.

Exhausted traveler

Jack and I drove over to the nearby shopping center and picked out some food at the local Harris Teeter grocery store.  We ate in the room and hit the hay pretty early.  Our goal tomorrow was to be in northern Kentucky.

Bob Evans!  Our first time

Leaving at 8pm provided us a good 10 hours of travel time an we made the most of it by making Lexington Kentucky before the sunset.  We ate dinner at the nearby Bob Evans Cafe, places we normally don't patronize, but in this case it was the only viable alternative so in we went.

And it was rather good!  I think we may visit another.

Back home Jack!

Another early start the next day and we rolled into Ixonia into Wisconsin by mid afternoon. the late afternoon.  The car was really humming along these flat boring highways.

The boat does 8mph.  Quite a difference driving a car

Jonah, ever the excitable 4-year-old, sat on a little chair in the driveway waiting for Jack to make it home.  My idea of parking on another street and sneaking up on him from behind was nixed.  dang ..

Jonah patiently waiting for his brother

So here we are for 6 weeks or so.  I think we have our land legs back.

Hi Sammy.  I'm called Nona.

Our first task though was to unload a few things and dash over to see our newest grandson, Sammy.