Now what?

Decisions, decisions. We’re above the insurance-mandated line. Now what? Well, it’s hot around here, so let’s continue north.

We miss the ocean, and Tuesday looked like a good day to cruise offshore – let’s skip the twisting and turning ICW in Georgia and allow the ‘Mare to stretch her legs a bit. We’ll test the new autopilot in the ocean and give the crew an easier day. Turned out to be a good call, as the ocean was beautiful, and even better, there was very little boat traffic to work around.

Once the 656′ Morning Concert crossed our path going into Savannah, that was it. We seemingly had the ocean to ourselves.

Well, almost. A few hours into our planned 10-hour day, we began receiving visitors of the winged variety. What started as shooing an occasional pest gradually became something else entirely. From gnats to lovebugs to sweat bees to odd-looking house flies, to green-headed flies, to things we couldn’t identify, they were seemingly all there, and most of them were out for blood!

Our captain trying to take a break in the cockpit, which ended up littered with smashed insects

We smacked and swatted – and scratched – in bewilderment for hours, laughing all the while! So much for the more peaceful cruising day.

We finally returned to the AICW via Ossabaw Sound and entered the Vernon River, where Susie thought it would be fun to anchor, being so near Father’s Day and all. (Love you, Daddy!) Oddly enough, the bugs stopped their attack as soon as we left the ocean. Or had we dispatched them all?! Ha!

We anchored just as the rain began with an approaching storm

The sunrise wasn’t too shabby either.

Note the fun reflection on our dash/helm cover
Two brave gents were enjoying an early morning flight in an amphibious ultralight along the river. They gave the SaltyMare a couple of turns.

We started at sunrise because we learned that Terry and Lynn on Finish Grade were just a day ahead of us. So, they stayed put and we put in a long day to join them at Lady’s Island Marina in Beaufort, SC. After welcoming us aboard for a fantastic dinner, we spent the evening catching up on each other’s plans.

In the morning, we tossed them the lines, and off they went, continuing their journey north.

By allowing us to untie the lines, they inadvertently committed a minor faux pas, however, in that dockmaster Aaron didn’t have the opportunity to bid them au revoir, a situation he was quick to remedy once he found out. He’s a good guy.