These waters in Georgia seem remote and wild with mostly wide open areas of marsh grass
and meandering streams and rivers in a land that seems part land, part water. We see very
few houses along much of the way but lots of egrets, pelicans, dolphins, terns,and gulls.
Today we left at high tide to make good time with a follwing current and make Creighton
Narrows at half tide. The plan worked and we were able to successfully navigate some
pretty shallow spots.
We ended our day's journey anchored the marsh in Back River, where a dolphin was
"strand feeding". This is done by the dolphins chasing fish onto the river bank where they
are stranded and become "easy pickin's". Very quiet night at anchor with one other boat
joining us at this spot.
Zero dollar day.
40 miles
Wednesday, Nov. 14
We awoke to a hazy slightly foggy morning. We actually left before sunrise because of the
need to traverse the section that has the reputation for the worst area of the ICW. This is due
to severe shoaling, having depths of only three and a half feet at low tide. This doesn't work
well for a boat that is over five feet deep no matter how soft the bottom is. The solution to
navigating areas such as this Little Mud River ( sounds less intimidating than "Hell Gate",
but isn't) is to go through them at high tide. Right now Georgia is having really high daily
tidal ranges of ten feet. This means a spot in the river can be dry at low tide but be ten feet
deep at high tide. This means that by carefully using the tides, waiting when necessary, and
being patient and willing to travel at the times of day that work, one can make it through
the state of Georgia on the ICW. Also, anyone on blood pressure medication may want to
make sure they have an adequate supply on board.
We went by Jekyll Island today but continued on as we had visited there by land this spring.
The boat is anchored securely in a side river, the Brickhill River, tonight as a strong wind
is forcast to hit us during the night. We are beside Cumberland Island, all national park
land with wild horses and untouched beaches.
Zero dollar day.
ICW marker on a high pole at low tide
but nearly under water at extra high tide.
47 miles
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