The ICW on 12/20. Yep, that’s wave spray over the bows.

Well, we made it back. We are back in Brunswick, safely at the marina. It took us four days because of tides and low bridges. We managed to avoid any further damage from low bridges, so that is good. Yesterday was quite the treat. It was blowing about 20-25 knots and the ICW got spicy. On the section that crosses St. Andrew’s Sound, we saw 8 foot waves with spray coming over the cockpit. That was fun. And it was cold. Even better! Did I mention the wind? While we were battling that, the dinghy came unlashed on the foredeck and threatened to go over the side. There would have been small chance of retrieving it had that happened. Fortunately, Piccola managed to stay in place long enough for me to go forward (tied in, of course) and re-secure it. Crisis averted.

However, Meraviglia decided not to allow us to return to port without one further ignominy. This morning, while getting underway, Kim discovered that the boat wouldn’t move. Not forward. Not backward. Yep, the tranny decided to fully fail. And so we were drifting. Towards land. Fortunately, our anchor once again saved us. It caught on the first attempt and so we sat until the tow boat could come and retrieve us. There is nothing quite like returning yet again to the dock you have tried to leave twice now, this time being towed. We seem to be getting worse at this rather than better.

Meraviglia under tow-really??

Anyway, we are safe and, at this point, we need to GET. OFF. THIS. BOAT. The kids were going to come down for the week, but since we can’t leave dock and the weather is supposed to suck, we’re renting a car and going to Atlanta for Christmas. Our son has offered us up a spot at his apartment in return for food. We’re in. We need to recharge because there has been some serious questioning of our life choices going on here. So this is the last post for 2023. Kim and I wish a very happy holiday season to all.