6 April, 2021. Still in Georgia, just a little bit inland

 

43 SM and 6.8 hours

Peaceful sleep aboard last night, waking to clear skies, and 55 degree air temperature with the morning coffee.  Anchor up, secured and underway at 0755.  Challenging navigation today as there are numerous shoaling areas along our twisting and winding waterway.  Almost seven foot tidal swing in this area, making for some very impressive currents.  We are using Aqua Maps again along with Navionics for our navigation software.  This year we have bought the extra USACE surveys which are displayed in color shades for depth on the Aqua Map app.  Really a great feature to have in order to stay and maintain the best and deepest water possible, even though Serenity does not draw that much.  The AICW from NW Florida to Norfolk is notorious for shallow water and many, many groundings. 

Winds under 10 MPH and clear skies made for a great day of cruising.  Both of the larger sounds we crossed were non events.  Most of the morning we bucked opposite direction tide.  Decreasing our speed over ground 1-2.0 mph.  But that was a good thing.  Because once we exited the Altamaha sound the tide began the flood inland.  Our speed over ground now increased nearly 4 mph and we were zooming.  A bit of planning and a bit of luck but we had this flood tide to ride 12 miles to our final destination of Darien, GA.  City of Darien, GA  Exiting the AICW at SM 651, into the Darien river, our destination up river was seven miles ahead.   The river generally of good depths in most areas as large commercial shrimp boats ply the river to and from the Atlantic ocean.  Nothing too fancy at the City/county docks but we have a spot at a floating dock with water and electricity for $1.00/foot.  

1st British fort built here

Old port, very busy in the old days.

We have anchored for 7 continuous nights.  While Serenity is now secured to the dock, we are going to explore for a day or two.    Do laundry, take on fresh water, complete a few boat projects and most importantly allow shore power via the DC battery charger to adequately charge and equalize the house bank batteries.  

2812 sm; 1542.7 hours hobbs