Saint Simons Island, GA May 30-June 2, 2014

May 30-June 2, 2014

Entering St Simons GA

Brunswick Bridge

Fuel stop at Brunswick

A brief hour post-launch at Jekyll Island found us arriving in Brunswick, GA, one of the major ports along the East Coast...and growing. Clay's research on Active Captain had revealed a wholesale distributor's fueling dock which cuts out the middleman and gives Loopers/boaters a much better price per gallon. He'd called ahead and made refueling arrangements; unfortunately, so had a shrimper who was scheduled to take on some 6,000 gallons (hmmm, I'd hate to pay his bill, which amounted to $24,000+, but he's commercial and we're recreational!) Both boats ended up in wait mode (with SaSea Sally second in line) as the delivery truck had yet to arrive. So, guided by two delightfully young office workers (maybe I mean 'delightful, young office workers,' but 'delightfully young' would be nice, too!), Clay and I made our way on foot (duh!) to Tipsy McSway's (love the name; a bar atmosphere) for lunch, having 1-2 hours to kill (or should I say to 'enjoy lunch out').

Boats at Brunswick Marina

Tipsy's was a substantial distance, giving us a chance to walk through the historic downtown complete with two or three really cute pocket parks.

Intrercoastal cruise ship

We arrived back at the dock as the shrimper's tanks were topped off and thus, our turn to fuel! That's progress! Taking on a miniscule 207 gallons (we cruise slowly, using far less fuel in that manner), we paid and departed toward St. Simons Island. Another 393 moment when Sal deduced the starboard engine wouldn't start because it wasn't in neutral (thanks to dad for my Lake of the Ozarks experience in a 16' runabout). Hooray for these 393 moments because they make Sal feel so boat-smart (Clay IS smart when it comes to boat/boating knowledge) AND they save mechanic service calls (translation: $$).

SaSea Sally at left end of dock

Morning walk!

Marina orientation upon our arrival at Morningstar Marinas at Golden Isles revealed a small, kidney-bean shaped pool in which I'd be doing a LOT of flip turns (if I knew how to do flip turns) to get in even a 10-minute lap swim. Also on the marina grounds was the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant touted to have the best chef on the island. This marina complex hosted a number of businesses including a PADI scuba certification center, a realty company, a hair salon, a boat broker, and a venue for wedding receptions. Dinner was pizza and bleu cheese wedges onboard because, per Clay, "We'd had a big lunch." Fair enough...and easy!

Sylena getting boat tour.

Catching up on the last 35+ years.

I was so looking forward to Saturday morning when I would reconnect with one of my OJHS cheerleaders from my teaching days in Columbia, MO in the mid-70's. That would be some 35+ years ago! Sylena lives on St. Simons Island and had suggested the reunion over coffee at the Coastal Kitchen. What a delightful, vibrant and mature young lady she has become! (Well, I say 'young,' but truthfully she has almost caught up with me age-wise; amazing how that happens! The teacher-student relationship was quickly replaced with a budding friendship!) This was truly to be the highlight of my St. Simons Island stay!

Sylena Bagley and Sally

Sylena's and my time together ended with the customary boat tour and picture taken at the stern, time parameters mandated by the approaching prized (because said cars are seldom available on these waterways, unlike the river system) one-hour-limit courtesy car run to West Marine and Winn-Dixie. With travel, shopping, check-out and loading/unloading all required within the one-hour timeframe, Clay and I really had to MOVE IT! What I failed to mention is that our dock 'slip' location is a five-minute walk to the site of the marina office complex which, among other things, eats up precious courtesy car time. We're getting quite a bit of exercise during our stay here. Note: Transient 'slips' are usually and customarily quite a distance with regular renters given priority.

Brunswick Pilot Boat

Returning to stow purchases, then a very late lunch, Clay and I anticipated a late dinner to sample the cuisine of the gourmet kitchen (Coastal Kitchen Restaurant). Those time parameters gave me some pool time, only to find a PADI certification class occupying the kidney bean pool. No room for Sal, which took me to Plan B which entailed assisting Clay in his installation of the new water pump.

We dined on the Coastal Kitchen deck later evening with a three-piece band playing poolside and a wedding reception in the nearby venue, complete with lights, cameras and action...and music. We were well-entertained!

A good day to tour, not boat!

Looks ugly!

Sunday morning we found home-baked muffins and a newspaper delivered to our boat, a perk accompanying this marina. Doesn't happen often, but we enjoy it when it does! With a wind advisory flashing red on our cell phones and a new water pump that failed to shut off, we found ourselves plunking down another overnight docking fee in the dockmaster's cramped office quarters...only a two-minute walk from our dock space. 

Flags at attention in strong wind

But things work out for the best. We'd seen precious little of St. Simons Island...translation, on our morning walks, we'd crossed the bridge onto the parcel of land where the official sign proclaims "Welcome to St. Simons Island, GA" and the United States and Georgia flags wave proudly in the breeze. Thus, Clay jumped into investigative mode and quickly designed our day to include a trolley tour of the island. Great idea! And, in a brisk wind (remember, 'wind advisory') under overcast skies and temps in the low 70's, we biked the half hour distance to the village/pier where the tour originated. Note: My half hour was slightly longer (add another 20 minutes) when midway, Clay realized he'd forgotten his backpack containing all of the essentials for the day. What will we do with that boy?

All aboard!

Tombstone of the Dodge car lady

"Pier Village" on St. Simon Isl.

Arriving at the St. Simons Island village center which was bustling with activity, I met up with Clay, and we boarded the open air trolley for the 1.5 hour tour. Our tour guide Bunny (she said she was born on Easter Sunday to a mom who had a 'kinky' sense of humor) combined a delightful sense of humor with a constant flow of what she called 'useless info,' but we found to be both entertaining and enlightening. What a beautiful island rich with history this appears to be. Sylena, I understand the appeal which confirmed your decision to move here! As the tour ended, Bunny offered restaurant suggestions, highlighting the Sand Castle Cafe where we lunched on Georgia shrimp (wrap for Sal; shrimp and grits for Clay) and chatted across the 10' separating us from now-lunching-as-well Bunny (she made haste of her meal, obviously with the deadline of a forthcoming additional tour of the day).

Bunny perched to narrate her tour

Following lunch, Clay and I walked the length of the pier then poked our heads into a few shops waiting for the now-steady raindrops to diminish in intensity so we could bike back to the marina. We found this to be a rather typical tourist town in its selection of stores and souvenirs, clothing and gift items, restaurants and bars/watering holes. And, of course people watching is always a huge hit to kill some time.

Yacht we saw in St Augustine

We biked back to the marina without incident, but boarded quickly, leaving our bikes dockside as another downpour commenced with accompanying winds that meant business! Clay's focus became uninstalling and reinstalling the new water pump while I tended to housekeeping chores and dinner. Success on all counts!

Marina neighbor washing her boat

Monday was departure day with Clay's next destination Darien, GA on the Darien River. That episode will follow shortly. You know, the most frequent advice given us for our packing list was a 'sense of humor.' I realize that all experiences change a person. From my perspective, a new me is emerging...or maybe the old me is reappearing! In my young days as I incessantly sang 'My Country Tis Of Thee' like Alfalfa (remember him and the rest of

Oaks lining an old plantation drive

the Little Rascals?), Mom predicted I'd be a comedian. In my adult years...thus far...I'm anything but. Hmmm...Stay tuned...

Beautiful golf courses on St Simon Island