Brunswick Landing Marina

On our last night anchored behind Cumberland island, two Looper power cats joined us, Gypsy Palace and One Eyed Dog. We crossed paths with both of these boats in the first year of our Loop on the inland waterway. In the morning, we left our anchorage at 7:30 am in order to pass through the very shallow Jekyll Creek at a rising tide. The two power cats caught us and passed by, getting through before us. In spite of all the warnings and our worries, we had no trouble. We saw only a few extremely low readings from our depth finder as we passed the dredge working to make the channel deeper. Finding deeper water is due to our careful planning! We simply HAD to be here at high tide.

We face lots of low spots ahead. The markers switched sides; red is now on the left, green is on the right. We have to be so careful, keeping MX Mariner (a navigational app) up; watching it closely to see where the channels deepest water lies. It is unnerving and exhausting!

Rounding Little Cumberland Island Light

Little Cumberland Island Dunes

There was a lot of action on the waterway and in the sky to distract us. We had plenty of company while crossing St. Simons Sound that led us to Brunswick Landing Marina. We left the ICW then went under the high bridge and up the east branch of the Turtle River to our port. The current was very swift here and was on our nose, slowing our progress.

Chinook Flying Low

Car Carrier moving out to sea

Going under the high bridge - Brunswick

Huge Casino boat on tiny dock

First view of Brunswick

Tall ship along the river

We are in an area of crazy high tides. These photos do not do justice in showing how high they are. We feel it every day as we move north, choosing our timing based on where the water will allow us to go. Mystic has a 5 foot 5 inch draft. This means we need 6 feet of water under our keel to feel safe from grounding.

Hold onto the rail during low tide

Eight foot tide here

Brunswick Landing Marina is known for free laundry and free beer, 24/7. We met dockmaster Brian who tells us everything we need to know about our visit, including that he's referred to as 'the tall and handsome one with an engaging European accent'. We certainly enjoyed meeting him!

With Brian at Brunswick Landing Marina

Mystic in her slip at Brunswick Landing

Dock Master's Office

Brian encouraged us to stay more than one night to experience Brunswick's first Friday events. Stores stay open and offer great discounts the first Friday of each month. Apparently this is a common practice in the south. He gave us complimentary backscratchers with our welcome packet. Funnily enough, they seem quite appropriate since we've been tortured by greenhead horseflies all day. I must have killed at least 100! We finally had to resort to using bug spray to keep them from biting us.

We are intrigued by First Friday but are really here to see our friend's Tony and Donna Pierce Cipolla. Donna and I graduated from high school together. I hadn't seen her for a very long time but we reconnected in person at high school reunion last summer. It was so exciting to see them walking down our dock! After having a very short tour of Mystic, we gathered up our laundry and shower bags and headed for their home on St. Simons Island. Donna and Tony actually live along a marsh that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. When we leave Brunswick tomorrow, we promised to look for them across the marsh.

Tony and Donna aboard Mystic

Having fun with Donna & Tony at their home

Talking about tides I'm guessing

This is the first time we've met Tony but we quickly feel like we are visiting family. They took us for a tour of St. Simons Island and welcomed us to their beautiful home. We took hot showers, did a load of laundry, and had a wonderful dinner. But best of all was the spending time with them. Our visits with friends along the way are precious to us. On the way back to Brunswick Landing Marina, we stopped to pick up a few groceries. We really appreciated all the support from our friends and always extend an invite to visit us in Minnesota. 

We were tired after our long day dodging shallows and shoaling, as well as the lovely visit with our friends. We decided to walk from our dock 1 to dock 9 where the Captain's Lounge is. There is a continuous keg of free beer on tap for boaters refreshment there. We planned to leave early in the morning but didn't want to miss the opportunity to enjoy a free Pabst Blue Ribbon beer at Brunswick landing. Although we were exhausted, it was fun serving ourselves and sitting in the lounge relaxing together. Brunswick is a great stop that we recommend. We'd definitely come back to visit again!

Dave pouring beer at Brunswick Landing

Marina Flags at Night

As we made our way north in the morning, Donna was texting me, "We see you, we see you!" I climbed on the highest point of Mystic and looked across the marsh. Their home is distinct in that it has two staircases off their deck. It took me awhile, but I found them. "We see you too, Donna and Tony. Farewell until we meet again!"

View of the Cipolla estate from the ICW