Isle of Hope to Teakettle

1.20.11 Thursday

I start up the engine and let it run for a while to make sure there is no air in the lines after draining the fuel filter and reprimeing.  This is about a quarter to 8, then to the fuel dock to top off the tank.  Spent the few minutes transposing the log which I’ve been scribbling with a pencil of the fiberglass coaming, very convenient but I’m running out of space.  I suppose if I was ambidextrous I would have the other side!  Got fuel, ditched the trash and left at a bit after 9.  Made my way down the Skidaway River through the ‘narrows’  and to the Vernon River to the cut called Hell Gate.  Not too hellacious and into the Ogeechee River.  It’s 1030 and I’m fighting the current again as I crawl into the Florida Passage at 4.5 knots against almost 3 knots of current.  Then the Bear River at 1130 and bam, 8+ again as I’m sluiced out into St. Catherines sound on the out going tide.  Hit 9 knots, outstanding!  A sweep around to the southwest into the North Newport River, through Johnson Creek then the, you guessed it, the South Newport River.  It’s now a little after 2 in the afternoon and I have to figure out a stopping point as I turn into Sapelo Sound.  West again into the Sapelo River, then the Front River for some more chicanery as I make my way into Old Teakettle Creek.  I’m fighting the current now and it’s just after 4.  Press on regardless, damn the dolphins cavorting gracefully along side, full speed ahead at 5.5 knots.  I decide on New Teakettle Creek as Old Teakettle is getting old.  Make the turn and find myself in 30 feet of water after crossing the 8 foot bar and it’s nobody but me, the dolphins, and birds of every description.  Around the bend past Marys Creek to find a spot with 15 feet of water and anchor right there in the middle of the creek.  It’s just before 5 and I have arrived at my destination.  What a beautifully secluded spot with nothing but marshes and a little creek off to west.  MM646