Sunday, December 4, 2011

12/03/2011 HORSES AND DOLPHINS AND WHITE PELICANS, OH MY!

 ANCHORAGE BEHIND ST. SIMONS ISLAND TO PINE ISLAND ANCHORAGE IN FLORIDA

SATURDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 78 NM

ANCHORED BEHIND PINE ISLAND, FLORIDA JUST OFF MM 765

SUNRISE AT ST. SIMONS ISLAND: 7:07 AM

SUNSET AT PINE ISLAND ANCHORAGE: 5:25 PM

HIGH: 68

LOW: 49

With just enough light to see and anticipating the sun soon, we hauled up anchor by 6:30 and were “outta there”. Not that it wasn’t a perfectly lovely anchorage, but we have miles to go. Seems like we always are always rushing off to meet some schedule on our leisurely journey. We did sleep better with the new anchor drag monitor but its services were never needed.

We started out our busy day in a big way when we crossed paths with the huge car hauler, California Highway as he exited the Brunswick Harbor. Dan generously surrendered the right-of-way to his might. We could see towering Sidney Lanier Bridge sweeping over the Brunswick River. This 480’ tall cable-stayed bridge with its 230’ of vertical clearance replaced the original bridge that was twice struck by ships. I’m not thinking that that is a problem anymore.


CAR HAULER THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY
THINK THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE DESTINED?

SIDNEY LANIER BRIDGE


















When passing Jekyll Island we looked for Jill and Richard’s boat Finally but she wasn’t at her slip at the marina. This island has been owned by the state since 1947 and strict rules have been set up to prevent over development.

Feral horses are known to roam the privately owned Little Cumberland Island. Today was our lucky day! We caught sight of a couple beauties as they lazily grazed in their secure environment.


FERAL HORSES ON LITTLE CUMBERLAND ISLAND

Approaching the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base we kept our eyes peeled but were disappointed to find no subs in residence today. The Cumberland Sound can be a busy place with vessels of all sizes and shapes crossing to or from the Atlantic Ocean. Once across the sound we were in Florida.

Situated at the northern point of Florida’s Amelia Island is Fort Clinch. This 19th century fortress was the site of only one battle when Confederate soldiers recaptured it from the Union forces that had gained control the previous year.


FORT CLINCH

Entering Florida waters brings with it several things to be on the alert for. First of all, “we’re not in Kansas anymore” surely applies here. The yachts progressively get larger as you near Fort Lauderdale, the homes congesting the waterways can be massive, airboat tours zip around and you are really in the heart of the southern migration. Oh, but I forgot the warmer temperatures and those brilliant entrances and exits that the sun makes each day.



252.5' PEGASUS V

IMPRESSIVE HOMES LINE THE SHORES

AIRBOAT TOURS
















So we haven’t seen any gators so far but for several days we have been courted by an occasional dolphin and today we saw our first White Pelicans since last year. Quest is now on the lookout for Manatees.


A FLOCK OF WHITE PELICANS BASKING ON THE SHORE

We anchored at Pine Island just off MM 765 with seven sailboats. I’m not thinking they were happy to see us but we promise to be good neighbors.


THE SUN SETS AS QUEST ANCHORS WITH SEVEN SAILBOATS


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