St. Augustine to Ft. Pierce

St, Augustine was a blast as usual!  We had dinner at our friends Paul & Dawn with Ed & Mary too.  We met Paul & Dawn our very first year of cruising in Elizabeth city, NC.  2002 – wow! We crisscrossed paths all the way to the Bahamas & back again.  Great folks!  I won’t try to explain the Brotherhood of the Coast to you – it would take too long to explain it properly – just know that it’s an international sailing organization that Rob, Paul & Ed all belong to.  It was a wonderful evening as we had not seen Paul & Dawn in a few years but were lucky enough to have dinner with Ed & Mary when they passed through Norfolk right before we left.

Of course there was a snafu with West Marine & our part did not arrive as promised so we have now reordered it for Ft. Pierce, Fl.  Some of you may remember that we spent last Thanksgiving with Pete & Jane there so  I guess we will be making it a tradition! 

In the meantime we meandered our way down to Cocoa to see our buddy Gary.  We had a real treat to be able to see Bob & Kathy that we have met through him.  I really enjoy spending time with Kathryn – you don’t get much ‘girl time’  cruising.  They have recently sold their home on the beach & moved into one of the most beautiful condos I have ever seen, and she said it’s a work in progress as they have only been there since August. 

As the weather was due to change (NE gale advisory) we decided that Cocoa was not the place to be (open to the NE) so we were not able to join Gary on Sunday the 24th for a concert/festival in Melbourne.  Johnny Winter – he’s still alive???!! – was the headline act.  It would have been fun & would also have given us a chance to see Roland but it was not meant to be.  We have really met some very nice folks through Gary!

Off we went & tucked up very nicely on the SW corner on the Pineda Causeway! While there were whitecaps on the Banana River, we were very comfortable. 

Fill in the Blanks!

Well, the last post was without photos and lets face it… Rob is the better writer and I try to post pics of various places, people & things.  We went on to the Frederica River to ride out the blow and we were quite comfortable.  It did blow a lot but we were tucked in nicely and had a great view of Fort Frederica.

                                          Fort Frederica on the Frederica River, Georgia

We had lots of wildlife for company but unfortunately not many photos came out well.

After the blow we decided to head on south towards Fernandina Beach and while crossing the St. Simon’s Sound got  to see a sight not many see up close – The U.S. Coast Guard training their rescue swimmers!

 

It was quite a sight with the spray all around from the helicopter!  Of course that is when the camera came up with ‘change batteries’ so that is why there are so few photos!  It was quite a sight! 

That day we made it south of Fernandina Beach…… FLORIDA!  We went on to Beach marine in Jacksonville Beach and took a marina to see our dear friend Rob who lived in our same marina in Virginia before his retirement from the Navy. 

While he is now officially a ‘dirt dweller (bought a home & sold the boat) we still think the world of him.  His house is wonderful too!  After a great time with him it was time to head south.  After a lovely night off Pine Island we are now heading into St. Augustine – another favorite stop.  Unfortunately we have another repair (Lectra Scan) to do.  Our previous Lectra San (yes-they changed the name) lasted 12 years!  For you non nautical types – think toilet system.

We have many friends who live in the area and we hope to see them all but with the repair & the cost of a mooring we’ll see!

The City of St. Augustine has put in a mooring field in the prime anchoring area.  On the east side the holding is not so good and during the last blow a catamaran drug its anchor into the Bridge of Lions!  The boat is a total loss per the USCG.

That’s it for now – we will be in St. Augustine soon.

Georgia!

On our way again!  We had a fantastic dinner on Barefootin’ with Bob, Francie, Bill & Kippin (the boat dog).  While Barefootin’ & Long Winded left on Saturday Rob & I decided to wander about Beaufort.  Of course I tried to do too much with the foot but it was still a wonderful day.  We nosed down the main drag and I stopped at a bench while Rob went onto The Chocolate Tree.  Now this place is great!  Although most resort areas will have a really good chocolate shop – The Chocolate Tree has been inducted into the Chocolatiers Hall of Fame!  Who knew there was such a thing?  One thing for sure – it is really good!  When he returned we walked back down the opposite side of the street and looked into a few more shops.  By now my foot needed a rest so we sat for a moment on a bench before heading on to Luther’s for lunch.  Luther’s was at one time a pharmacy and much of the old flavor remains.  There are high barstools (normal) on one side of the bar and short barstools (chairs) on the other.  As a friend once said “Less distance to fall on the short side!”. 

As we sat (on the short side ) I felt something down my shirt.  Well – my necklace had come undone and while I had the chain, my pendant was gone!  This was just heartbreaking!  It was given to me by my dear, dear friend Howdy and is the logo of his business.  While most of you know him for those who do not he is one of the finest people you could ever meet & builds one hell of a boat too!  Just Google Howdy Bailey Yacht Service!  To shorten the story, Rob & I went back outside to retrace our steps and lo & behold Rob found it!  I am so very happy as it would have ruined my entire week had it been gone!

 

We made the decision to head farther south not only to get warmer but to make some southerly as there is weather heading our way Tuesday through Thursday.  This may mean that we bypass our friends in Savannah but it can’t be helped.  Spending 2-3 days in a marina just isn’t in the budget at this time.  Last spring we rode some weather out in Frederica Creek by Fort Frederica so we will see.

WOW!  Our first gator of the season!  Just north of the Savannah River.  Only about 4-5 ft. but as cold as it is we were surprised!

Well, now its Friday & we are in Jax, FL!  Sitting on the porch at our friend Rob’s house!  More later!

On Towards Beaufort, SC

The next trip to the Dr. was the one I was dreading.  No details but I am now without a toenail. Ouch!  Maybe now the staph will clear up & I can get back on the psoriasis meds & be able to walk normally again!

Thanks AGAIN to John & Julie for taking such good care of me!  You guys are awesome!

While I was in VA Rob was a busy guy.  Not only did he complete a number of ‘boat projects’ but had creative time as well.  Georgetown, SC is one of our favorite stops on the ICW.   The town has a wonderful historic waterfront, great restaurants & bars and some of the freshest seafood to be had.  Unfortunately there was a major fire a month or so ago that basically wiped out the 700 block of the waterfront.  One of our favorite restaurants – Limpin’ Jane’s (related to hoppin’ John??) was destroyed.  There are photos of the fire & the aftermath on waterway guide.com if you are interested.  The town is determined to rebuild & they were starting to palletize the old bricks when it came to light the high content of asbestos.  For now at least it is all on hold.  About 70 people lost their jobs, several apartments atop the businesses were destroyed & unfortunately two pets were lost as well.

I mentioned seafood….  Well the dock sits right outside of Independent Seafood so you know the shrimp are fresh when you see the catch unloaded!  We normally drop the hook & Rob got some fine photos and a great drawing too!

                                                      Pretty good huh?

We spent a couple of days provisioning and stuff and took off on Tues. the 5th. Our friend Bill on another 365 had caught up with us so off we went!  It had been rather cold & we were really ready to make some southerly so a couple of long days later we actually wore shorts in the afternoon!  We had planned to spend a few days in Charleston, perhaps at the Maritime Center so we would be closer to the attractions but with my toe still smarting and walking in 1 shoe & 1 slipper being a tad awkward we decided to press on.  Church Creek it was last night and here is Bill at anchor on Long Winded.

Long Winded on the hook.                                   Rob at the helm

“Retired” shrimp boats at Georgetown                        Yard art on Wapoo Cut

Pulled into Beaufort this afternoon & Bob & Francie from Barefootin’ are here & have invited us & Bill to dinner tonight!  Can’t wait to give them a hug! 

Bye!

 

Where Did The Summer Go?

 

SHOULD HAVE PUBLISHED THIS 3WKS AGO!  Currently in Georgetown, SC & leaving tomorrow for points south.  11/4/2013

Wow, what a busy summer.  The new engine is in and the instruments installed (except for wind & that is another story) and we are heading south again.  it was work –work -work for both of us with Rob at the boat daily & me at West Marine.  Currently still nursing a broken big toe as well as a staph infection on same.  Will head back to the Dr. next week and hopefully will get the all clear to resume the psoriasis meds.

We decided to come down through the Dismal Swamp & stop at the NC visitors center, something we have not done since 2009. 

A marina mate bidding farewell!

We made it to the Deep Creek Locks in a bit over 5 hours!  Love that new engine!  We tied up after the locks with 2 other boats and had an impromptu get together.  Rob & I went home & the 4 guys were still going strong at 2:30am!  We got underway with the duck weed the next morning.  If you do not know what duck weed is well a pic is worth well, you know……..

In front of the boat…..                                Behind the boat

South side of ICW                                        North side of ICW

The bottom 2 photos are remnants of my childhood.  As a youngster I rode horses at a place called the Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake, VA.  Now this was the time before litigation and near Christmas we would go on what was billed as an “Eighteen Hour Trail Ride” .  Part of this adventure was when the ‘bridge’ was pulled across the ICW and all of us would ride the horses across.  It made me smile to see it was still there although I seriously doubt if the trailride is still  in existence between attorney’s and property owners fear of same! 

We got to the visitors center and stayed a day longer than planned due to weather.  It has now turned cold & wet and we are on a beeline to Bath, NC where JoRuth will take me to the doc back in Norfolk. 

Fast forward a few days… I went to the Dr. and still have the infection so back again on the 28th