It is a curious feeling to be in one place for a long time; there is no rush to do everything at once, yet, as there is so much around us, it feels as though we won’t ever get to see it all. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the Golden Isles, as this part of Georgia is called, has a different type of beauty; the marshes here are so beautiful and peaceful and are ever changing depending on the lighting each day. The towns have a truly southern charm with tremendous oaks dripping in Spanish moss. Beaches are easily within my reach, and I am still experimenting with them to find my favorite spot to spend an afternoon. We have a car now, and that makes exploration, visiting with family, and shopping easy. We are adjusting to the change, but we are still living aboard and AfterMath is not yet for sale.

From left to right, Walt, Craig (in the front), Carter, and Michaela boogie boarding at Jekyll Island, GA

Rush and Madison on construction duty.

Sarah and Kelly taking life easy

Ford has it all under control!

Ford, John and Kirby, and Jeff hiking to Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA

Precious grandchildren. Left to right, back row, Michaela and Carter, front row, Rush, Walter, Ford, and Madison

I love his impish grin.

I just love this image of Carter, Madison, Walt, and Rush

Michaela feeding the lorikeets at the zoo with Rush watching on.

Rush and his new friend.

I caught them both on their phones! That’s Jeff and Kelly

Feeding the penguins was a once in a lifetime experience for everyone. This is Walt with a huge smile on his face!

Rush is our penguin obsessed boy! When Tirzah asked Kelly if there were any special animals the kids would like to see, Kelly told her how much Rush loved penguins. I know he will never forget this day for as long as he lives.

Even John got in on the action.

Rush’s dream come true!

Ford liked them too!

Going for a walk with the penguins.

Sarah with Rush, who couldn’t stop smiling after his penguin encounter.

The kids wanted Tirzah to make the tiger roar – which she did when shown the microphone.

Madison brushing the baby warty pig

Sting ray petting. Rush and Walt standing, Carter and Michaela with their hands in the water.

Ford liked it too!

A train ride before the storms closed in. Everyone had a great day at the zoo.
Soon after we arrived in Brunswick, Jeff and Sarah and family drove from Annapolis to visit with Kelly, Craig, and kids, and us. We spent four days enjoying the company of kids and grandkids at beaches, Kelly’s house, and the Jacksonville Zoo. The zoo was a very special treat as Kelly, who is a veterinarian and who has worked, on occasion, at the zoo, arranged a behind the scenes visit for the whole family. Thanks to her friend and zookeeper, Tirzah, we were treated to being close up and personal with a very large tiger, petting and brushing the endangered warty pigs, and the highlight of the day, especially for our grandson, Rush the lover of all things penguin, going into the exhibit and feeding the adorable penguins that live there. Upon leaving the display, we were even able to take a walk with two of the birds that accompanied us right out of the building! The zoo day will long be remembered as an exciting and amazing experience for everyone.

Here we are with our tiny dancer, Madison

Delicious cupcakes that were well decorated.
June 14th was another special day for us; we attended Madison’s dance recital in Jacksonville. Madison is five years old and loves to be on stage. This year she had a ballet, a tap, and a gymnastics performance; we enjoyed every minute of it. We also had a wonderful time this week when Madison came to spend the night with us aboard AfterMath. I enjoyed an afternoon at the bowling alley and went to the local shop for ice cream with Kelly, Michaela, Carter, and Madison. Kelly and the older two returned to Jacksonville and then went the following day to try out the new Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios. Madison, who is not a fan of roller coasters, stayed on the boat with us. We loved having her and spent our time reading, watching videos, making bead bracelets, decorating mermaid theme cupcakes, and constructing clothes pin mermaid dolls. Madison charmed us all, including the kind people she met in the clubhouse here at the marina; she was a polite, well-spoken little girl, and a true doll herself.

This tall ship is docked at the park next to the marina

The lighthouse at the park next to Brunswick Landing Marina

A farmers’ market is held here every Saturday.

You know you are in the south when you find hot boiled peanuts. I am NOT a fan!

A view of Brunswick Landing Marina where we are docked.

Someday I will find out what this piece of machinery here at the marina is!

Sunset over the marsh from AfterMath’s fly bridge

A manatee at the Marshes of Glynn overlook showing discards picked up from the beach. A lesson in what not to do.

A view from the Marshes of Glynn Overlook Park

The Old Town Hall in Downtown Brunswick

There are many squares in Downtown Brunswick. This is Hanover Square.

Beautiful old homes surround Hanover Square

Gorgeous huge oak trees are everywhere, dripping with Spanish moss

A view of Downtown Brunswick, GA

Fountains in another square on the main street in Downtown Brunswick

The Ritz Theater in Downtown Brunswick

Transportation! I’m so happy to have a car again after four years without one!
So, besides visiting with our family, John has been busy accomplishing tasks around AfterMath. He has a list of jobs he wants to have done before listing the boat, and I am quite sure it will be in pristine condition before anyone sets eyes on it. I help by keeping busy myself, although, sometimes that just means staying out of the way while he has the engine room open! I love going to the beach, of course, but there is much out there to explore, especially on St. Simon’s Island and Jekyll Island, both of which I have barely touched. I enjoy wandering around the historic district of Brunswick, a cute town within easy walking distance from Brunswick Landing Marina, and every Saturday I make my way to the farmers’ market next to the marina. I spend some afternoons at the clubhouse, chatting with new friends while getting laundry done or working on a project. We attend the marina’s happy hours when we can, and enjoy the potluck dinners and holiday gatherings as well. It’s great to have a car to get around now, and driving around the area allows us to appreciate the beauty of this low country land.
There is a sense of peace here in these beautiful marshes of Glynn County; time passes quickly, but we move slowly through our days. As a result of four years of cruising we have learned to live each day well and fully. Life on AfterMath in this beautiful marshland, filled with paths of water through tall grasses, oyster beds, shrimp boats, and waterfowl, is simply a continuation of our adventure; one that will lead us into the next chapter of our lives.
And now from the Vast of the Lord will the waters of sleep
Roll in on the souls of men,
But who will reveal to our waking ken
The forms that swim and the shapes that creep
Under the waters of sleep?
And I would I could know what swimmeth below when the tide comes in
On the length and the breadth of the marvellous marshes of Glynn.
From the poem, Marshes of Glynn by Sidney Lanier
Enjoyed the update as usual. See you on the 25th. What kind of car did you get? Love the color. See you soon……….A
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You are a great writer, Deb. What an experience you and John have had.
Love the current pictures of the family. I am sure you love being closer to them now.
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