Palm Cove to Cumberland Island
We jumped up this morning and got out of the marina just after 8 am. The tide was high so we didn’t have any concerns getting through their channel. Our journey of 34 NM seemed to go pretty fast; it did take just over 5 hours. We found a delightful anchorage just west of Cumberland Island and after getting our anchors secure, Steve deployed his dinghy and picked us up. We went to the public dock on the island and walked among the gorgeous live oaks and on the beaches. We toured the ruins of the 34,000 square foot home of Andrew Carnegie that burned in 1959. The layout of the plantation and the history surrounding this late 19th and 20th century estate was so interesting. Wild horses and deer are plentiful and we saw them a number of times as we walked. We got plenty of exercise and enjoyed every minute. The forecasted rain did pepper us all morning while underway, but it avoided us while we were on our walk. The sun even came out as we were headed back to the dinghy. We rode in the dinghy up and down the west side of the island (we don’t get enough boat riding) and saw the Greyfield Inn. An exclusive, historic (and we all know what exclusive means) hotel, Amanda wants me to bring her back here some time. I figure I can sell the boat and maybe we can stay a couple nights sometime.
Susie & Amanda at the entrance to the ruins. These 2 have become very good friends. 
The old chimney provides a pretty good home for these guys 
I guess this armadillo passes as wildlife. 
Steve & Susie were horsing around 
The sun was so bright we were squinting; it just looks like we are smiling. 
We left only our footprints…and a note written in the sand. 
The Greystone Inn is hidden behind those trees
We all came back to the boat and ate so much cheese and crackers we skipped eating supper. We watched a beautiful sunset and then walked to the other side of the boat and watched the full moon rise.
The sunset was spectacular tonight 
The moon rise equally so 
We watched the Coast Guard boats and Navy warships go by (we are almost in sight of King’s Bay, the nuclear submarine base). We hope to see one of those awesome submarines as we cruise by the base on the ICW tomorrow morning.
The Honey Queen has been a good home for more than a year.
As I write tonight, I am very introspective. It just occurred to me that we will anchor one more night and stay in a marina one more night. Sunday afternoon, this adventure will be over, and neither of us likes that idea even one little bit. The reunion with friends and family will be sweet. We have missed them. Our grandchildren await; we hope they remember Honey and Poppy. We do look forward to being a part of their routine and making sure they are properly spoiled. But we will miss the days, the nights, the adventure, the friends, and all the surprises that have made us now who we are. The worn out cliché: we don’t know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future, seems especially surreal now. We rest in what will be next, not knowing exactly what that is. How we do hope that some of our future includes the gentle sway of a trawler at an anchorage, soaking up lunar light on a breezy night.
I have enjoyed following your adventures this past year. You have a talent for writing Wes, perhaps more of that in your future?
Debbie, you are so kind. My writing is usually a response to events that happen. When it comes to getting creative, I fear I would fall short. Who knows what the future holds for us? We are sad the Loop ended. We are having withdrawals. We are actually traveling for a few days with friends who we met on the Loop because we just weren’t ready for it to be over.
I’m hoping you guys will get to Savannah someday as you enjoy your Loop. Or even if you aren’t Looping, please come. We are starting the downsizing process of our home and will sell once we are ready. Then who knows? A condo or a bigger boat and no dirt house? We will figure it out as time goes by.
Please stay in touch, regardless. I believe you have Amanda’s cell info and/or our boat card. I will finish the last 3 days of the blog this coming week, I hope.
All the best.
Wes & Amanda