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.

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.

June 14^th 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.

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