As we cruised the ICW today we saw more dolphins than we’ve seen on any other day. Many were young and very playful. There were 3 or 4 that jumped the series of wakes from the boat just like the jet skiers do – the dolphins were much cuter. Wasn’t able to get a picture though. Dolphins jumping and playing just happen and, underway, it’s hard to get a picture. The landscape also changed. Yesterday basically all we saw, when we could see through the rain, was marshland. Today we saw many more trees and homes. We went through an area called Hell Gate. However, because of recent dredging it really didn’t pose any problem. We turned into an area called Skidaway Narrows. It was twisting and winding with lots of “no wake” zones, but was very peaceful and beautiful. We finally arrived at our marina, the Thunderbolt Marina, around 1:30. It’s a very nice, well-kept marina and there is a large gazebo/breezeway area with a great view of the boats coming and going on the ICW.
We did a few odds and ends, got cleaned up and then walked into the small town. Thunderbolt is not far from Savannah and most people take the bus or get a taxi into Savannah from the marina. However, because we are now on somewhat of a tight schedule (meeting son and grandson in Norfolk over Memorial weekend), we decided to forego Savannah this time and visit when we cruise south in the fall.
In town we browsed through the Marine Supply store, where Gerry bought a new hat, and then had an early dinner at Tubby’s Tank House. The food was great, with our calamari appetizer rated right up there in the top 2 or 3.
Back at the boat we did some planning for the next few days; then Linda took her book up to the breezeway and did a bit of reading, relaxing and gazing at the water. Very nice.
We woke up to a very nice morning. This is what it looked like as we were leaving the anchorage behind Wahoo Island.
The sailboat in front turned into the ICW
As we cruised along, we saw a very large boat beyond the marsh. Here in the low country you can see "forever". 
We thought they were going to go up the river, but they turned into the ICW. It was the American Glory. It's a small cruise line that cruises in the Pacific northwest, the northeast, the Chesapeake and the ICW. Because of its smaller size, it can go places the bigger cruiselines can't go.
Here we are at Hell Gate. The sign says DANGER.
The landscape changed and we started seeing more trees as we headed up the Burnside River.
We saw lots of nice homes along the rivers
.... in very peaceful settings
In most cases there was a fringe of marsh and then the homes and trees
Approaching the Skidaway Bridge
Thought this looked like a nice old southern mansion 
There are many no wake zones along the ICW in Georgia, but they are very polite in their signage -- the sign says THANKS
We sighted our home for the night - Thunderbolt Marina
The marina had a very nice breezeway area. There's Monk's Vineyard at the dock, right across from a nice wooden boat named Witch which had lots of teak.
The sign to the marina
The grounds were very nicely landscaped
Right next door, the area where the shrimp boats are docked, was not as well kept
On our walk through the town we saw this man exercising with weights on his arms, weights in his hands and pulling a tire behind him ... WOW ... what a workout
We ate at a place called Tubby's, known for its very fresh seafood. It was yummy. On the front porch they have rocking chairs where you can sit, watch the action and enjoy a drink.
They have tubs at Tubby's. Linda eyed the tomato plants on the left. While none were ripe, they had some pretty good sized tomatoes on them.
The marina where we're staying had some pretty good-sized boats, both in the water and in the yard 
1 comment:
Capt. Gerry and Linda,
You would think in Gerry's line of business that he would know that deer flies, yellow flies, and no see'ms were developed as secret weapons for the South during the Civil War. (or as we Southerners call it "the recent unpleasantness)
They were designed to run Yankees back up North. It seems that they still work.
Don Moon
On Moonstruck
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