Tuesday, November 27, 2018

St. Augustine to Halifax River YC, Daytona Beach, FL

Today:       57 miles        8.5 hours          ICW St M “830.6”
Total:      960 miles    137.8 hours

        We were up at 6:15 and underway by 7 in order to make the 7:30 opening of the Bridge of Lyons.  There is no 8 am opening due to traffic.  Knowing that we had an 8-hour travel day to Daytona, we couldn’t wait for a later opening.
     Once through the bridge, we stopped at the City Marina for fuel and a pump out, then continued on our way.  The current gods were with us for most of the day.  Leaving St. Augustine, we were able to travel for almost an hour at 8.9 mph.  Most of the day we were traveling at 7.6 mph.  The only slow part of our day was by the Matanzas Inlet, where speed reduced to 6.3. We came across a number of dolphin pods in our travel today, some tried to get airborne.
     The winds slowly built through the day.  Weather bug gave 9-12 mph winds from the WNW.  The white caps and scuzz on the water hinted to winds closer to 20.  The fact that a few gusts tilted the boat to port hints that those gusts were 25+.
     Only about half of the docks south of St. Augustine, that were damaged by Mathew 2 years ago, have been replaced.  The old, live-aboard or abandoned boats are now anchored south of St. Augustine.  I guess the City was successful in ousting these boats. There are also a few newer sunken boats along the ICW.  The most unique location of a sunken sailboat was here in Daytona, just north of the Main Street Bridge.  She sank in the channel just outside of the bulkheads. The Coast Guard has placed a temporary buoy near it. Surprisingly, it sank over a month ago according to the bridge tender.
     There were 5 bigger sailboats anchored just north of the fixed bridge in Daytona, waiting for the tide to ebb.  The King Tide along with the full moon have created very high tides.  These sailboats require 64-foot clearance, but at mid tide, the boards are still showing 63 feet.
     Pete was concerned about sitting on the hook in very cold weather.  Since the forecast is for temperatures just above freezing overnight, he was able to arrange dockage at the Halifax River Yacht Club for Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is supposed to be warmer.
     This marina is beautiful.  It has fixed docks, a beautiful pool and patio, casual as well as dressier dining, great internet, and free laundry with free detergent. We were secured just in time for Pete to make his 4 pm conference call.  Bailey and I had plenty of time to head out for a walk,
     As the sun went down, 6 of the boats must be planning to participate in the boat parade this weekend.  They are already decorated and lit.  It does look pretty and colorful.

WEDNESDAY, 11/28/18 ~  When Pete walked the dog at 7:30 this morning, the temperature here was 37 degrees. Hollis, NH was at 38 degrees!  There was a frost warning in effect for a good deal of northern Florida.  With the wind chill some areas experienced 29 degrees!
    By the time I went for my walk, the temps were in the mid-forties.  It was really perfect for walking.  Most of the homes in this part of Daytona a moderate and small.  However, the marina area is in the Historic District where many of the larger homes have been converted into B & B’s.  It made for a pretty walk, but only a few places made me stop for a quick photo.


Christmas AND Halloween!

A very bio diverse tree

Mushrooms growing on lawn
Tree bark
more like "Starry Night"



     Once back, Pete had completed his conference call, so I was able to start making my Banana Nut Bread.  (I didn’t want to run the mixer while he was on the phone.)  I had to disrupt the forward bed and dig into the aft locker, behind the printer, to get the supplies I needed. Since I had to so that, I also dug out the Vacu-sealer, so that I could separate the recently purchased American cheese as well as the pecans into smaller packages.  I also used it to seal 2 of the 3 small loaves of Banana Nut Bread so they could be frozen. Boy! The boat smelled great while I did clean-up.

Halifax River Yacht Club ~

         


    
     Pete got out the bike and rode the 4 miles to Pet Smart.  We needed dog food as we don’t have enough to get me through next week.  On his way there, the stem from the tire broke off and caused a flat.  It occurred in front of a construction crane facility.  Though the crews were cleaning the rigs, they offered Pete use of their tools, garage or a hand. Pete is really good about repairing the tire. He used to ride 100+ miles a week and participate on organized rides on the weekends.  By the way, PetSmart is right across from the Daytona Speedway.
      Caught some TV and worked on some photos, then called it a day.

~  ~  ~  /) ~  ~ K & P

Monday, November 26, 2018

St. Augustine ~ continued

SUNDAY, 11/18/18 ~ There were no specific plans for today.
Tonight's sunset
     I had 2 pair of good jeans on board They have to be close to 10 years old, have gotten thin and are becoming fashionable… well kind of. The rips are occurring in undesirable places! I found out that there is a Gap Outlet Store here in St. Augustine.  What I didn’t realize is that many stores are starting there “Black Friday Sales” early.  The Outlets were packed.  The Gap was too!  I checked out their jeans, but nothing was in my size.  We took a ride up to Jacksonville where the sales people at the Gap Store were helpful and the store carried my size.  I was able to get two pair of jeans with 40% off! Not a bad day at all!

MONDAY, 11/19/18 ~  Pete realized that something he was waiting for in the mail had arrived at St. Brendan’s. With the car not due until 10, and Green Cove Springs is only 30 mins away, Pete drove over to pick up the mail again. While he was gone, I was able to some more deep cleaning.
     Pete was busy with work the rest of the day,  While I walked I saw a manatee and a very cute statue.
Manatee
 
Bailey likes her comfort
   
Fog lifting
TUESDAY, 11/20/18 ~ The fog was thick and stuck around most of the morning. Pete kept busy with work while I got in my hour of exercise and then worked on the blog.  Posting will be a challenge as the wifi here is very weak.  Once everything is ready, I hope to post to get things current, but wasn’t able to update due to no wifi signal. Downloaded photos and organized. However, my Lightroom locked up twice while trying to modify photos.  I wasn’t able to process more than a couple before it crashed again.  I called it quits for the night.


Bailey's hiding
She doesn't want a bath!
WEDNESDAY, 11/21/18 ~ While Pete was busy with work, I finished the heavy house cleaning and some reorganizing of some storage areas. I also brushed Bailey again.  She got worried that we were also going to bathe her also.
     I checked with the marina office.  There will be a Cruisers Thanksgiving Dinner here at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor in the Boaters’ Lounge. I just had to RSVP on Facebook, which I did.
     Since it was a clear night, we were able to get the loaner car and head into Old Town to see the festival of lights.  We were able to find a parking spot for FREE on the square. Since it was still light, we grabbed a bit to eat at A1A Alehouse.  Then it was off to see the Lights. . . 

           


            

        

    

THANKSGIVING, 11/22/18 ~   One of my guilty pleasure is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was the coldest parade day in history.  The winds might have kept the balloons closer to the ground and people really bundled up for the cold, but it didn’t stop the enthusiasm!  I especially enjoy seeing the Broadway performances.
     Thank heavens the boat is open concept.  I was able to watch the parade while making the Apple Cake for Thanksgiving Dinner.  Pete was concerned that there might not be stuffing, so I made up some of that, too. 
     We headed over around 2.  Skies continued to be cloudy and windy.  We made sure that we grabbed our rain gear as the rain bands are sure to resume.  There were about 30 people who were able to attend.  The people were interesting, the conversation diverse, and the food, yummy! Eating at 3 meant that we were not really hungry at dinner time.  So, we enjoyed another piece of Apple Cake while reading and watching TV.
         
FRIDAY, 11/23/18 ~ Pete had hoped to get a haircut sometime today, but instead, work kept him busy most of the day.  With the rains, I exercised on board and finished off another book, glad I wasn’t part of the Black Friday crowds. After dinner we enjoyed watching OVERBOARD and PRETTY WOMAN.

SATURDAY, 11/24/18 ~ Pete was able to get the loaner car this morning.  As he picked up the keys, He asked about a barber.  She mentioned that the salon next to Vinny’s Pizza does men’s hair, too.  Pete informed her that he “was not really the salon type!”  He found a Super Cuts and they did a good job. While he was away, I was able to do the laundry. 
      On the way back, he passed the Art’s Festival down by the Visitor’s Center.  It was a juried show, so he suggested we head over.  It was the prefect afternoon for walking among the tents of the exhibitors; low 70’s with low humidity and mild breezes. It was a mix of jewelry, paintings, photography, textiles, pottery, and stained glass. The most memorable was an artist who painted on marble, granite, and ceramic tile. She incorporates the natural grains, textures, and imperfections into her pieces. Pete liked the jewelry made of real flower sealed in acrylic. They also had food stands and kids’ face painting and crafts.  There was also a variety of performing artists. The most colorful performers (and the only ones we actually saw) were the Belly Dancers.   

SUNDAY, 11/25/18 ~  We not only scrubbed the boat, cleaned the Eisenglass, but also scrubbed the  electrical cords.  They were so gunky, anything they rubbed against becomes marked.
      Showers were in order before we headed over to Super Walmart for provisions.  We even picked up Jack Danial’s BBQ Chicken as well as some salads for dinner. 
      It turned out to be a very productive day.

MONDAY, 11/26/18 ~  Last night I had some stomach issues so getting to sleep was a problem.  The issues subsided, but I could not sleep.  I tried relaxation, but after a hour I gave up played a few games on the phone, then decided to read.  I finally was able to sleep some time after 6.  I was surprised to find it was 10 am when I woke.  Pete had walked and fed Bailey, ate and had done a good deal of work by the time I said, “Good Morning!”.
     I kept myself busy all day, but right now I really can’t remember what I did.  I was really happy when my head hit the pillow. I doubt I remained conscious for long.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~   K & P

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Port Royal NC to St. Augustine, FL

 Today:     183 miles      25.8 hours          ICW St M “775.6 ”
Total:      903 miles    129.3 hours

FRIDAY / SATURDAY, 11/16-17/18 ~     Pete and PEKABU were readied for an ocean jump. I made up a bunch of sandwiches for him to grab when he got hungry. Enterprise picked me up at 10 so I was back by 10:45. The car readied and loaded, and I helped Pete depart by 11.
     Bailey, I and my good camera, headed back to Historic Beaufort.  She and I walked the areas we drove yesterday, so I could capture a few of the beautiful homes. Of course, I easily get distracted by the smaller things as well.  It was an enjoyable hour and a half. 

Historic Beaufort:
      

          

      

            

        

        



     After picking up lunch and fuel, we drove the 4 hours to St. Augustine and everything worked out with the hotel.  Even though I saw 8-10 dogs of varying sizes, we had not barkers in the hotel.  Bailey settled in nicely.
     Pete had the incoming tide for most of the ride out the Post Royal Inlet.  The current only helped the last few miles.  He called a few times while he still had phone service.  As he was approaching the breakers at the mouth of the inlet, he had been watching the wave action to port. Suddenly, about 200 yards away, a dolphin jumped a good 8-10 feet, did a somersault, and re-entered the water. Talk about an amazing site!
     For the entire journey PEKABU also had a traveling buddy-boat, SV OUR LOG.  The two boats kept in touch through the night and onto St. Augustine Inlet.  Originally, OUR LOG planned to grab a mooring ball at Fernandina, but Pete told them that they were now closed. So, they decided to stay with Pete and go in at St. Augustine’s.
     Friday night was height of the Orionid Meteor Shower.  Early in the evening, Pete saw bright meteors break and shower over the ocean.  Later, he thought they might have been the military training with flairs as he saw no others.
     The winds remained light, the waves minimal, the temperature: COLD, and with the assist of the Gulf Stream eddies, he made good time.  He had used the jib to help with speed, but on board SV OUR LOG, the wife wasn’t comfortable with the sail up in the dark. Pete never asked the story behind their name. I would love to know its origin. With sunrise came warmer temperatures, and Pete was able to take off some of the layers.

View from The Reef Restaurant ~ 
         I monitored his progress through the night by the SPOT messages.  He was faithful, sending them every hour.   This morning, I used the LIFE 360 app on my phone to monitor his whereabouts.  Bailey and I drove up on A1A to The Reef Restaurant, north of Vilano Beach to try to see PEKABU.  I called when we arrived and sure enough, I could barely see both boats out about 3 miles.  Pete said they were angling into shore towards the sea buoy, outside the inlet, so I figured I would try to see if I could get a photo of them entering the inlet.  Bailey was able to accompany me as dogs are permitted on the beach.  I got lucky, not only taking photos of PEKABU and OUR LOG, but also of birds and fisherman.


    
PEKABU  & OUR LOG entering
St. Augustine Inlet








  
PEKABU with the St. Augustine Light
Fisherman and 2 of his 3 catches!
        I headed to Camachee Marina and was able to help Pete get into the slip.  Once the bill was paid and Bailey walked, Pete secured the boat, put away stuff, then crashed for the rest of the afternoon.  I ran to do the food shopping, put away the perishables and return the car.  Unfortunately, the traffic was a mess due to the Christmas Lighting Ceremonies tonight.  I tried to call Enterprise, but they closed 20 minutes earlier. . .2 PM ON A SATURDAY!!! Since they are also closed on Sunday, we now have a car until Monday morning.
     Once Pete woke for dinner, we headed over to Vinny’s New York Pizza, right here at the marina. They have one of the best pizzas we have ever had.  From the large pizza, we only had 2 slices to put away for another day.
     Once back, Pete crashed and burned.  He slept on the sofa until I woke him at 10 to go to bed.  He slept until 9 the next morning.  I think is still needs more Zzzz’s before he is caught up.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~   K & P