Big Tom River

11/26/07 Big Tom River
ICW 584 - 613

The Georgia marshlands are exactly what folks described to us, lots of “S” turns. You can see a sailboat several miles back or ahead – and it looks like it is just across the way. When the tide is high, there’s water everywhere. Today high tide is 9.7’ – not shabby! At low tide – there’s lots of mud.

Combining the tides and currents makes for interesting motoring; we’re either bucking the current or flying along at 9-10 knots. The most we’ve motored with, or against, to date is 3.9 knots. We did have our Genoa out for about an hour this afternoon; it was nice to see the sail again!

Today we passed Moon River, made famous by the 1960’s song “Moon River.” I fondly remember close dancing to that song my freshman year in college. In fact, I can still remember most of the words! The lyricist took great liberty with reality -- it’s no where near even a ½ mile wide! I am once again disillusioned! I’ll never be able to sing “wider than a mile” again.

We’re anchored in the Big Tom River this afternoon, very rural, very isolated, lots of bull rush and lots of current!

So…. tonight I decide Bob and I should watch one of the movies Andy and Barbara loaned us. Now remember – here we are in Georgia – in a boat - in the middle of nowhere – in a swamp – and it’s dark. Someone should have told me what “Cape Fear” was about and where it takes place BEFORE I decided to watch it tonight!!!!! I made Bob go out and check the anchor, get the key out of the dinghy, take the key out of the motor ignition, and lock the companionway. I may stay awake all night thinking about "Cape Fear!"

For those of you who haven’t seen “Cape Fear,” it’s a Martin Scorsese terror movie that takes place in Georgia. The climactic scene concludes in the Cape Fear River in a swamp. Now although the title for the movie is as chilling as the thriller itself, the Cape Fear River is in North Carolina not Georgia! Ahhhh… literary license!