DAY THIRTEEN - September 29, 2009

8:52 am -- After fueling-- we leave Skidaway Island behind -- It takes a good thirty minutes to get to the Atlantic because of low water  --- less than six feet in some areas -- Captain Ed is taking it very slow.  The seas are calmer than yesterday.

12:13 pm -- Off the coast of Jekyll Island, GA -- we are cruising at 22 knots with a two foot following sea.  The weather is sunny --  about 70 degrees  -- a perfect day for a  boat ride.

To keep ourselves busy -- we play a trivial pursuit type game that we made up from a book I bought at “Tuesday Morning” in Chesapeake.

1:45 pm -- We enter the St. John’s River -- passing Mayport Naval Air Station.

2:11 pm -- we enter the Inland Waterway at Mile Marker 740 -- next it is Beach Marina for fuel -- then to Queens Harbour and home. 

3:36 pm -- we enter the lock system at Queens Harbour and cruise through the lagoon to my house -- everything looks so pretty.

Unloading my belongings is a challenge --- I guess that’s why I took the boat -- I didn’t want to pay all those airline luggage fees. 

As we trudge up the walk with all my stuff -- we see a big “WELCOME HOME”  sign on the porch and ballons blocking the door to the house.  Inside -- are two pair of great big furry slippers.  We assume all this frivolity is from Phil --- but when he is home later he tell us that only the slippers are from him. 

Kerry -- I understand the rest was your doing --- thanks for the great surprise reception. 

Spending the last couple of weeks with Mary and Ed has been so much fun -- an unforgettable experience -- but I am glad to be home.

Since the Navigator is going to North Palm Beach --- Mary Ann will be calling in the details of tomorrow’s voyage.  

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for one more day.