April 3 and 4, 2023 Fernandina to Plum Orchard to S. Altamaha River

Monday April 3, 2023  Fernandina Beach to Plum Orchard Plantation/Cumberland Island

Released the mooring ball at 8:45 and headed over to Port Consolidated.  It's a fueling wharf just down from the marina.  Almost always has the lowest diesel prices in Florida.  Hadn't ever stopped here before but will make it a point going forward.  Sign a waiver you're heading across the St. Mary's Sound into GA. and forego Fl. tax.  Took on 460 gallons at the best price we've seen in a long time.  Just $3.27/gal.!! Off their dock at 9:45 for a short cruise.  Crossing St. Mary Sound was a non-event.  Not much wind today so waters were very placid.  Then around past the entrance to Kings Bay and the submarine base.   First time we've passed there where we didn't see any patrol boats out.  Apparently, no subs at the base or preparing to enter.   Went past our normal anchorage on Cumberland Island at the Sea Camp and Dungeness ruins and proceeded up to the East River/ Buckhill River and anchored aside  the landing for Plum Orchard Plantation.  Arrived by noon so had time for some lunch.  Then deployed the dingy and headed to the park dock.  Plum Orchard Plantation is another of the Carnegie Estates.  This one has been preserved by the National Park Service and has guided tours at 11,1,and 2.  We just missed the 2 o'clock tour so will hit it Tues.  Walked around a bit.  House is big from the outside.  No wild horses on site.  Just evidence scattered around the grounds that they pass through. 

At anchor off Plum Orchard Plantation

Journey for April 3, 2023

Tues.  April 4, 2023  Plum Orchard to S. Altamaha River.

The no-see-ums have been eating us alive since the wind died down at Fernandina on Sunday.  Continued over here at Plum Orchard.  Martha seems to be getting the worst of it.  Doesn't seem to matter which of the multiple bugs sprays we utilize.  They are ferocious.  Hope we can get away from them but seems doubtful as we will be passing through marshlands for days.   Despite the bugs we still went back to tour the plantation.  Caught the 11 AM tour with a group of boy scouts from Athens.  Main house built in 1898.  Wing additions added later.  Quite a place for the time of construction.  National Park Service owns and maintains it so not a showpiece like the Biltmore House in Asheville, but enough to get the essence of the place, people and time. 

Plum Orchard Plantation

Finally saw some horses on Cumberland as we were leaving

Abandoned lighthouse at north end of Cumberland

Back to the boat for some late lunch then a rare afternoon cruise start.  We needed to time the tides for getting around Jekyll Island which has some low water needing dredged.  Anchor up at 3:15.  Passed by Jekyll at 5:30 with a 2'+ rising tide and sufficient water.  Across St. Simons Sound and a chance to blow out the engines and run them up to full speed.  Then around that island and finally a leisurely meandering cruise through marshland.  Pulled into S. Altamaha River  and dropped anchor as the sun was setting. 

Anchor went down just before the sun went down

Journey for April 4, 2023