Fernandina Beach to Home, April 16-19, 2016

It had been windy for the past few days but forecasts from various sources do not seem to agree completely.  Apparently there is a low pressure system to the south (with counterclockwise winds) and a high pressure system to the north (with clockwise winds) which are teaming up to provide winds in excess of 25 mph to well over 30 mph.  Gale warnings have been issued to the north of us.  Our plan is to go at least as far as the north end of Cumberland island and see what it looks like.  I had a good conversation with Chuck last night about the inside passage around Saint Andrews Sound (and Jekyll Sound) and we hoped that we could make it across.

April 16, 2016

The wind was less during the night but picked up just as we departed at 6:45. As seems to be the norm on this trip, the current was against us most of the way so it was slow going and quite choppy in the Saint Marys River and Cumberland Sound, clawing our way up against the wind and current.  When we got to toward the north end of Cumberland Island and the Cumberland River began to widen toward Saint Andrews Sound, the current was now with us but against the wind which was picking up to the upper 20’s.  For almost an hour, we experienced the roughest water that we ever have in Dubhe.  The conditions created a very steep, short sea of maybe 4-5+ feet (trough to peak).  I don’t normally like to estimate wave height because it is almost always overestimated.  But the height was not the problem; the waves were nearly vertical, and the peak to peak period did not agree with Dubhe’s 30’ length.  Dubhe would rise up and drop, pounding on every 3^rd or 4^th wave which also greatly slowed our speed. Spray was sometimes solid water that even drenched the flybridge and the cabin door that faces the stern.  Turning around was not an option…I could not imagine Dubhe’s beam or quarter to these waves.  

I considered turning into Shellbine Creek, but Floyds Creek, the entrance to the inside passage, was only a mile and a half further.  At last we made it, and of course Floyds Creek was flat, although the wind was still blowing.  I had thought that I would anchor up and rest or possibly spend the night here, but we decided to press on.  With Chucks notes, we made our way through to Umbrella Sound just before Jekyll Sound, bumping bottom only once.  We thought about anchoring in Umbrella Creek but then decided to try Jekyll Sound which has a little more protection and different orientation than Saint Andrews.  It was quite bumpy but again, we made it through.  After transiting behind Jekyll Island, we were again faced with the decision to cross Saint Simons Sound.  The wind was about the same but now the current would be in the same direction as the wind so we went.  It was bumpy as well but the waves were not as high and not too steep.  At about 5:00 we anchored in the Frederica River behind Saint Simons Island.  A great ending to a basically horrible day.  Dubhe had a nice layer of salt everywhere, but the decks were washed clean.

Earlier in the day, a sailboat (Kyros) followed us through a tricky portion of the waterway and I called depths to them as we passed through.  They were still behind us when we experienced the worst weather.  I called and asked them (a couple) if they were planning to cross Saint Andrews Sound or did they know about the inside Passage.  They didn’t know about the alternate route but asked if they could follow us which they did.  When we were almost through, they anchored in Umbrella Creek.  Although we talked on the radio a lot, I never got their names or where they were from. 

Sorry no pictures.  We were too busy and pictures would never look the same anyway.

April 17, 2016

We departed about 8:00 with wind predicted to increase during the day and the current against us.  We struggled up the Mckay River, through Altamaha Sound, Doboy, and Sapelo Sounds without too much difficulty.  Our plan was to anchor in the North Newport River behind Saint Catherines Island but the water was much too deep (30 feet) and exposed, so we tried Walburg Creek but the current and wind were not to my liking or conducive for a restful night.  After two long days, I was very frustrated and angry.  As I made my way out to backtrack south for an anchorage, we passed a nice quiet creek in the right orientation but it was not shown as an “anchorage” on our guides.  We entered Necessary Creek and found the perfect anchorage.  The lesson here is to look on the charts for anchorages yourself and don’t just rely on the cruising guides.  On our first cruise 32 years ago, we had no guides and did very well. 

Necessary Creek

April 18, 2016

Finally, it looks like the wind is relenting.  We left necessary Creek just after sunrise and had a very nice ride to Savannah where we took an alternate route via Turners Creek and the Saint Augustine River instead of the Wilmington River.  When crossing the Savannah River, there was a dredge working at Elba Island Cut, and just as Dubhe Approached, so did a ship in the river.  Not really a problem, we just held up and let the ship pass.  About 4:30 we anchored in the Cooper River behind Daufuskie Island for our last night on Dubhe.

Elba Island Cut and Savannah River Traffic

Gator swimming across Fields Cut

April 19, 2016

A beautiful ride home.  It was as if we were taking a day cruise from Beaufort.  We arrived at Port Royal Landing Marina about 12:30. I had very mixed emotions as our cruise ended.  I was glad to be home, and I was looking forward to having my truck, my bed, shower, and all our other conveniences.   I will see Lane tomorrow and will be going to North Augusta Thursday to see Lilly.  Life is good and easy.  But, I had an underlying melancholy that is hard to describe.  We won’t be anchoring in a quiet creek tonight on Dubhe.  Tomorrow, we will not be on Dubhe, riding through some deserted waterway or through some new town.  I will miss it all.  Cruising is a way of life more than a vacation or getaway.  It’s not always easy and rarely convenient, but it gets in my soul.  To some not familiar with cruising or boats this may be seen as a great adventure and achievement.  We know many others who cruise much further, cross oceans, and visit foreign lands.  We are not prepared for that.  To Nancy and me, our little cruise on our little boat was just right.  We had fun, met new friends, saw new places, and of course learned more about each other.  To me it’s just about being on Dubhe and on the water. 

 

Home, Port Royal Landing Marina