Morning comes with fog and weather warnings. I am not sure what to do. Forecast calls for winds gusting into the 30s tomorrow morning out of the northwest. The last cold front of the winter is headed our way. My spot on the face dock - all the marina slips are full - in untenable. With strong winds out of the northwest I know I won't be able to sleep on SPARTINA. But I am more concerned about damage to the boat itself. That much wind against the face dock could easily damage the hull.
I've got a few more hours to make a decision, distract myself with chores. A shower. Feels good but the shower stalls seems to be rocking back and forth. Carry up a kit a six meals and break it up into individual gallon bags.
Check out a golf cart, drive down to St. Andrews Beach to visit the Wanderer Memorial Trail, an art installation by my friend Curt about a slave ship that arrived in the area in 1858. I am pleased to message him that his art is still in excellent condition.
At lunch I begin seriously thinking about what I need to do. Strong southwest winds today, I can't make it to the anchorages at Cumberland Island. And the ebb tide is running in St. Simon Sound, I can't make it to the marina at Brunswick.
I take take a bike and ride the path along the oceanfront. Beautiful, but all I can do is think about shelter.
I conclude that my only choice is to leave the marina, anchor across Jekyll Creek in the anchorage marked in Navionics as "Jekyll Creek - 2." It is not great protection from the wind, nothing but low lying marsh to the west. The wind could be howling. But at least I won't be battered against the face dock.
I find Chris, the dock master, tell him about my situation. Getting off the dock as it is will be difficult enough. Strong southwest winds, plus large boats tied up both fore and aft of SPARTINA. Chris comes down to the dock with two dock hands and a large fender. The dock hands handle the lines, Chris has the fender up at the bow to keep SPARTINA off the dock. I use the outboard to pull the stern away from the dock, pivoting until I am nearly perpendicular to the dock. Then back away.
I wave to Chris and the dock hands, Chris shouts something but I can't hear him over the outboard. I turn SPARTINA, cross the channel and round a shoal. Anchor down. Deflate the yellow fender that has taken a beating the last day or so. Set up the boom tent. Boil water for a freeze dried meal. Set up the sleeping gear. And wonder about tomorrow's weather.
