We are up early to catch more dolphins feeding in our anchorage. Always a sight as these graceful creatures work together in family pods. There are less and less of them now as we move north.
Off early to catch the rising tide, we leave just after low tide. Depths are good with lots of clearance. Still making our way through the grasslands and open sounds to the ocean and passing more Looper boats we make our way through Ossabawa Sound to Hell’s Gate. Our goal is to get to Hell’s Gate at a high tide as most of these boats we pass are also doing.
Have I mentioned these big green eyed flies………………………
Hell’s Gate is a notorious channel that is narrow with shoals on either side. The shoals change often due to the large open sounds leading to the Atlantic Ocean. As we are crossing the sound we are with at least 5 other boats looking to pass through at high tide. We didn’t have any issues at all in this channel. Nothing less than 9 feet depth.
The grasslands and marshes are starting to all look the same. Open areas that when the tide is high you see only the tops of the grasses. At low tide, 7 feet lower, you see all the roots of the grasses and the mud along the shorelines. Scott finds us a large anchorage in Vernon River where houses line the one side of the shore on one side and grasslands on the other.
The mosquitos have come out and we make our way inside the boat earlier than usual. We start up the gen to charge batteries and watch TV before bed. The anchorage is quiet with 2 sailboats there. Rumour has it they are fishing boats for the locals. Another sailboat joins us for the night as we enjoy a peaceful night.
