Heading south

After many delays, I am finally beginning to move the boat south in hopes of ultimately reaching the Bahamas. I left The Ford Plantation Monday morning at 7 am to catch the high tide and arrived at McAllister Marina near the mouth of the Ogeechee River at around 10 am. The Lovely Laura Lee along with friends Paul Kuneck and his wife Mary Kay Jans joined me there for dinner, and Paul moved onto the boat to help out for a couple of days.

After a very long day today dodging shallow spots in the Intracoastal Waterway, Paul and I find ourselves tonight in Brunswick, Georgia. We were underway today for more than 10 hours, a little longer than we planned to travel, but we are happily now at Brunswick Landing Marina, a very low cost diesel fuel provider ($2.74 per gallon), where I intend to fill up first thing in the morning. With a full load of about 1,700 gallons, I can travel about 2,700 miles before refueling. Fuel is very expensive in the Bahamas, so it is a good time to stock up.

ODK at the helm

Paul Kuneck is proving to be a valuable crew member. He drove for several hours today, and has learned how to perfectly tie a line to a cleat. He bought my dinner tonight as well. What else could I ask for? I've tried to think up a nickname for him, but I think I will settle for what his kids and their friends call him -- "ODK" for Old Doc Kuneck.

ODK will travel with me tomorrow, either to Fernandina Beach or Jacksonville depending on how comfortable the ride is in the ocean. He will then head back to Ford Thursday morning and I will soldier on alone for a few more days.