Still in Brunswick, GA

29 November 2016 — A week later we are still in Brunswick, Georgia

p1030146When we arrived last Tuesday, we weren’t sure if we would stay in Brunswick for 2 or 3 days, but we opted to stay for three, through Thursday and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Brunswick Landing Marina.

tdayOne of the benefits of staying at marinas on holidays is that more often than not, the marina or residents put on a party.  This Thanksgiving holiday was no different.  The marina provided the wine, beer, turkey and stuffing and the boat owners brought sides and desserts.  Well over 150 people attended which translated to over 70 different side dishes and desserts creating a fabulous array of food options.

These events are usually really good times.  It is hard to explain, but you are surrounded by people you don’t really know, and most likely will never see again, but you share so many things in common, there is never a shortage of conversation.  Everyone learns from everyone else’s experiences and so many stories are shared.

It is fun when we do actually run into people we met last year on our travels.  While we were in Annapolis in October we met up with a very friendly couple a few boats down from us.  After some basic conversation we realized we had shared last Thanksgiving dinner with them at Ladys Island, in South Carolina.  We instantly connected like good old friends quickly helping each other out, sharing multiple dinners and learning from each other’s experiences.  They were in the process of buying a new boat and started their journey south a month or later than us.  We wouldn’t be surprised if we run into them again in the coming months.

On Thanksgiving  a couple we had met in Jekyll Island last year pulled into this marina to spend a few days.  We recognized and remembered each other and again we were like old friends.

We realize that we probably won’t keep in touch with most of these people, but when we do run into each other at a future port of call, it is fun to reconnect and catch up.  We exchange boat cards so if we ever do need to reconnect we are only an email or phone call away (provided anyone has cell or internet coverage wherever they are).

We woke up Friday morning with every intention of setting out that afternoon to do an overnight passage to St. Augustine, Florida.  Once there, we would tie up to a mooring ball Saturday morning for one or two nights.  Then another overnight passage would get us to Cape Canaveral, Florida for a few nights and then we would arrive in Ft. Pierce, Florida where we plan to spend the month of December.

But, living by the weather, we know plans sometimes change.  As we looked at the weather forecasts that morning, we discovered that although we could still make the plan work if we really had to, and it wouldn’t put us in harm’s way, the wind was not going to be our friend.  It was forecast to kick up to 15 – 20 knots with gusts to 25-30 and clock around to the south meaning we would be beating into it once we arrived in St. Augustine.  The seas were forecast to get churned up as well and it didn’t look like it would a very comfortable set of passages or time on the mooring ball overnight.

p1030148So, although the weather here never seemed too significant, we have no regrets looking ahead and planning our travel for what will be where we expect to be, rather than what is where we are.

Maybe we are getting a little spoiled and are becoming fair weather sailors when we can be, but we are in no hurry and there was no reason to move on if it wasn’t going to be comfortable or fun.

p1030147-copyWe decided to stay here in Brunswick, Georgia until that system blows through — looks like that may not be the case until Thursday, two more days!  So what was originally going to be a 2 or 3 night stay has now turned into a 9 night stay – this means we qualify for the monthly rate here at the marina – maybe we’ll stay here for the month instead of moving on to Florida right now.  (Just kidding – sort of.)

There are definitely worse places to be stuck.  We love the restaurant offerings and are eating very well.

The weather forecast is constantly changing, and this morning it now looks that another system will be arriving bringing more southerly winds to our itinerary.  We still plan to leave Brunswick on Thursday and arrive St. Augustine on Friday morning, spend one night on a mooring ball, and then head out on Saturday.  If the forecasts are correct with the southerly wind, we do have options and we may opt go back inside on the ICW for the remainder of the trip to Ft. Pierce.  But to be honest we both are still preferring the prospect of being able to knock off the miles by going off shore.  Stay tuned.

Until then, a few boat chores are done everyday.  The birds here are tenacious and many and we end up cleaning the deck daily.

For those keeping score, today’s chore was putting the dinghy in the water and firing up the outboard to see if it works or if it needs some TLC after being dormant for so long.  SURPRISE!!! — it started with no problem.  Of course the big test is when we actually NEED it to start, like when we are on the mooring ball in St. Augustine.   We will keep you posted.

The rest of the time when we are not doing boat chores, we enjoy being bums just lounging around.