May 2-3, 2024 Crescent River Anchorage and River Oaks Marina

May 2, 2024 Cumberland Island to Crescent River - 71 miles 8 hours

Today's challenge was getting through the channel at Jekyll Island on a rising tide. It is severely shoaled with less than 4' of water in places at low tide. Catching it at mid rising tide would give us a safety factor to avoid a grounding. It's about 3 hours travel time from Cumberland and hitting it at 1 PM would have the tide right which meant anchor up at 10. Plenty of time to sleep in a bit and a leisurely breakfast.

We may have anchored a tad close to this shoal which showed up at low tide.
We were still safe in 8' so a quick drop-off just like the charts showed.

Easy cruising past the nuclear sub base at Kings Bay (one was in port) so we got the usual escort to insure we kept away and kept moving along. Pretty uneventful cruise around Cumberland Island. Hit Jekyll perfectly. Tide was showing +2.8 feet and depth finder was showing about 3.5' feet under the hull with an occasional depth sounder "beep" showing less than 3'. Crossed paths with outbound car carrier 'Aquamarine Ace' while crossing the Brunswick River. It was showing a destination of Baltimore on the Marine Traffic site. Not sure about that until they get the Key Bridge mess cleaned up.

Typical scenery through GA - marsh and occasional land masses

Aquamarine Ace car carrier headed out of Brunswick

The next potential trouble area was Mud River behind Wolf Island. We were hitting it around 4:00 which was high tide so almost a non-event. I say almost because out of nowhere we were inundated by a barrage of big green head flies. Got to try out our latest toy - an electronic fly swatter. Bought it for $3 at Harbor Freight so wasn't expecting much but must admit the spark and "zap" sound when hitting one is very gratifying.

Shrimp boat anchored by the Darien River.

The most fun you can have for $3.

Made it to our anchorage at Crescent River right at 6pm. Still plenty of sunshine. Nice open anchorage in the marshes, so catching the last of the day's breeze. The flies have dissipated but been replaced by the no-see-ums. Always something!

Journey for May 2, 2024

May 3, 2024 Crescent River to River Oaks - 49 miles 6.5 hours

Departed Crescent River at 9:45 after a peaceful night's rest and another leisurely breakfast. No hurry as we're again working the tides for a push at the end of the day up the Ogeechee River to our neighborhood marina. First time up the river. There is a known shoal across the entire width around Ft. McAllister that we need to hit with at least 2.5' of rising tide.

Severe issue with no-see-ums as we left due to lack of a breeze. Under 10 mph winds all day, so the bugs were a constant companion most of the day. Only relief was while crossing Sapelo Sound and again at St. Catherine Sound during longer stretches of open water. Calm conditions across them today but these areas get quite sporty in strong winds with opposing forces from wind, waves and currents. As we approached the Ogeechee we could see a large ship in the distance. We're too far away for it to be a ship going into Savannah so wait a bit and determine it's the American Freedom cruise line heading south. We seem to cross paths with this ship on every trip lately. AIS shows we'll meet at a 90 degree bend in the ICW with shoals sticking out both sides of the channel. Prudent captain that I am, I opt to slow to idle and pull to the side to allow him unencumbered passage through the bend earning a hearty thanks from the ships bridge.

American Freedom hooks a 90 degree turn
and passes us on the way to Brunswick.

The Ogeechee is a pleasant cruise. Winding and wide, oftentimes fairly deep. Marsh to the north and treed land to the south with occasional homes. We pass the earthen works of Ft. McAllister - sight of a civil war battle on land and sea, all part of Sherman's March. This is the only tricky part of the river where it shallows forcing an abrupt turn to cross straight across from the north shore to the south. We were riding the incoming tide at plus 3' and saw readings of 3.5' below the keel.

Passing the restored and historic Ft. McAllister

Ft. McAllister Marina - That Silverton boat brought back memories from
a lifetime ago when we cruised the same model up on the Chesapeake Bay.

After that hump, the rest of the way to River Oaks was just winding river and mostly uneventful. Interesting to see the ancient hand dug cuts into the salt marshes. Remnants from the once thriving rice plantation era in this area.

Old rice field canal

The current is still pushing upriver as we arrive at the dock. With a T- head side tie we made it look easy. Now off to Jacksonville to retrieve the car, do some provisioning and we'll be ready to go again.