Dessert 1st, Northbound on the ICW

C

Casey

New member
Dessert 1st is northbound on the ICW.

We launched from Astor (FL) on Saturday, and hope to go
as far as Chesepeake Bay (MD). The grand plan is to cruise
North for two months, then two months on the Chesepeake,
then two months southbound back to FL. ...if the heat/humidity/
Mosquitoes don't get us! :-)

...just past Palatka, FL
Wx is Perfect!

Best,
Casey&Mary
SPOT: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... HgY9XbCayZ
 
We're envious! You guys are going to have a wonderful time, as you always do. There is sooooo much to see and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing many pictures!

Rob (& Mary)
 
HI Casey & Mary,

Great news. What a neat plan. Sure want to wish you the best, a safe trip and good dreams. I'll try and follow on the SPOT site as I am interested in something similar, with maybe some less time on the Chessy. I am going to work on some longer trips this summer and do some refining. You are setting a great example.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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You folks are off for a great experience -- we know you'll enjoy that great route.

Cruise around the Carolina Sounds en route - fabulous in springtime
(and fall).

And have fun cruising the Chester River. And check out the song, "I'm going to cruise the Chester River".
 
Yesterday's quote of the day....

While talking to an RV couple on the dock at Green Cove Spring, the lady commented: "Why would anyone want to spend that much time on a boat(?) ... all you can see is water!" We were speechless (and they claimed to have previously owned a 40' sailboat)!

The dock at GCS was pretty marginal (rickety, none of the elec outlet's seemed to work, no water or showers ... and $20/night). We opted to anchor-out. Good decision.

Then we found "Black Creek 1" an anchorage listed on Active Captain. It was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Scenery was stunning, and the wildlife (mostly birds, gators, and frogs) gave us a concert for a good part of the night. It was like being in the Amazon or the Daintree Rainforest. The only downside is that Mary now wants to buy a houseboat and Live there.

This morning we pressed-on to Mulberry Cove, the marina at Jacksonville NAS. Fourteen miles today! We'll be here for at least a night, or maybe two. Electricity & showers are a good thing when it's warm - and at $9/night it's a good place to 'hang for a bit.

Best,
C&M
 
Hi Casey and Mary,
Sounds like you are hitting the right spots. Funny how the SPOT track takes you over the hard bumpy stuff :lol:

Take care and enjoy the warm.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Casey,
Are going to do trailer back home from the Chesapeake bay tour? Or boat back down? We want to do from Cape May New Jersey to Fort Pierce Florida most likely in the fall. The plan is to leave the boat in Florida and fly home and take the truck and trailer back down and spend a month or so in Florida before dragging it home. We will be in Rock Hall Md. in June, July time frame. Maybe we will bump into to you folks again.
D.D.
 
Dave, watch the SPOT from time to time (SPOT address is in an earlier comment) and you'll see where we are.

Our plan is to boat-up then boat-back to FL. (Two months northbound, then two months in the Chesapeake, then two months southbound.)

We're having a rather tough time making miles. Yesterday we did fourteen miles (Black Creek to JAX NAS). Then today we made it all of nine miles to Ortega Landing Marina on the south side of Jacksonville. ...obviously, we're being RATHER lazy.

Ortega Landing Marina (we found the write-up and evaluations on Active Captain) had virtually ALL 5-Star ratings, and we had to check it out. OLM also has a practice they call "First and Fifty." For visitors who are at least fifty miles from home, and haven't stayed at OLM yet, the first night is FREE ! Yahoo!

OLM is truly a destination marina. Well layed-out, great facilities (including hottub, swimming pool, free laundry, elec, friendly staff, etc). For paying customer's the transient rate is a shade under $2/ft (taxes incl). We'd stay longer ... but we have other plans!

The ICW is pulling us North. (But not very fast!) :D

Best,
C&M
 
We will keep an eye out for you. Lots to see and do on the Chesapeake. Over 2000 miles of shoreline. Not many rocks, good crab cakes countless rivers and bays to explore. Safe Travels
D.D.
 
There will always be a welcoming slip at Pamlico Plantation, on Broad Creek off the Pamlico River for you if your detour to Little Washington area before hitting the Pungo. PM if you decide to visit and I can give you details and set you up.
Will be working my way up to a trip of your magnitude.
Paul
 
Hi Mary & Casey,

We are following your SPOT and can see you are already opening up to what will be a great adventure. Can't wait for those quality photos when you update your website as you complete your trip!
 
We are also heading north on the I.C.W. this Spring. We are doing sections spending about a week at a time or so on the boat. We take out to refuel, resupply and usually trailer camp a day or two. We have already done from St. Simons island to the South Carolina line. We are going up the Savannah river next. Maybe we will run in to you on the water. The Georgia sea islands are great but the sand gnats can be bad. We recommend gnat proof screens and a thermacell.
Bill and Becky
Blue Days
 
Yea, the Golden Isles and sand knats are well known to both of us. We both lived in Brunswick/St Simons for ten years ... but in different decades.

We are currently anchored off Kingsley Plantation on the Fort George River. The plantation is a small NPS site devoted to telling the story of plantation life and slavey back in the mid-1800's. Zephaniah Kingsley bought his first (of four) wives at a slave auction in Cuba. Anna was thirteen at the time, and recently arrived from Senegal. Kingsley moved the family (including all four wives and children) to Haiti in 1837 since Florida laws weren't to his liking. ...anyway, it was an interesting stop.

We will probably stop at Fernandina later this morning, and may stay at Cumberlend Island tonight (and maybe tomorrow).

Had a helicopter flying around last night looking for something. About 2000 I could see a helicopter flying about a mile away. The pilot was using an amazingly powerful searchlight and scanning the water and shoreline. We had no idea what they were looking-for (I assume it was the sheriff's office - too small to be a USCG chopper). Anyway, as it got closer we knew they'd soon be checking us out. Sure enough. When it got near us they gave us a good looking-over then flew off. We waved. :D Interesting experience.

Life is Great (well, we could do with a few less noseeums - but they're part ,of the 'package).

Best,
C&M
 
Ahoy!

We are just NW of Hilton Head Island about 4 miles off the ICW
on the gorgeous May River close to Bluffton, SC.

Been here since Apr 2 but may have to leave before we planned due to a closing
real estate deal. Chances are we'll be gone by the time you get this far north.

When you do go by Hilton Head, a jaunt up the May River is recommended.
Check your charts as there are 8+ foot tides here.

Happy cruising.
By, see ya.

Aye.
 
C&M,

We enjoy following your travel journals, thanks for posting. Very curious to hear at what point the noseeums disappear. Look forward to seeing photos.

Safe Travels,
K&L
 
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