Week 6 ~ Fernandina to Ft. Pierce, FL ~ Our Winter Home

Sunday, 10/ 23/22 ~ Fernandina to St. Augustine, FL
Today:       60 miles             8.9 hours          S/M 755.6
Total:     1000.3 miles      158.0 hours

    We were up and out before sunrise in the hopes of being docked it St Augustine before the conference call. Skies were clear, temps in the low 60’s and the winds freshened during the day to about 15 from the ENE.

 

Fernandina Sunrise

    There is a new housing development going in on the SW area of Amelia Island along the ICW. Beautiful, medium-sized, Southern style, homes with the wrap around porches. They are kind of reminiscent of River Dunes, but scaled down. The only negative is that both of us noted was that the foundations only raised the homes about 5 foot above high tide!

Island of storm displaced trees

     Periodically during the day, the USCG announcing safety zone for the Blue Angles Air Show over Jacksonville Naval Air Station. Too bad we are too far away to see any of it.

 
    It was another day of changing currents and tides. We once again came through the skinny areas at high tide with plenty of water. While on Sister’s Creek, approaching the St John’s River in Jacksonville, we were “cruising” at 9.6 mph. Of course, once we crossed the river, we had the current against us. Where it narrows down under the bridges, we were actually doing 3.0. Going through the bridge we noticed that the water on the port side of PEKABU under the bridge was actually 3 inches higher than starboard. We could see it on the bridge’s fender boards.

 
Lots of strong currents

 
Sights along the ICW ~ That cover dock is larger than some houses!

    The area north the homes on Rosco Road is always beautiful. In “Rosco Row” there are still a lot of new homes being built. There are also a majority of boats passing through this area that disregard the 4-mph speed zone. In fact, that was every boat zoomed passed us.

 
The estuary along the Tolomoto River

    We probably could have been in the dock prior to the 4:15 conference call, but there was no way to judge the currents. Instead, while Pete was on the call, I was at idle, traveling back and forth between 2 red markers on the Tolomato River heading to the marina. The call was brief, and we were in our dock by 5:15. The dock hands both complemented us on our preparedness and ease in docking. “The best docking of a sailboat that either had assisted with!”

    Comachee Cove Marina is now part of the Windward Group. Like all recently acquired marinas, renovations are in progress.  

Monday, 10/24/22 ~ St. Augustine ~ Day 2

    Pete’s conference call went well, but it will be continued tomorrow afternoon. More issues need to be discussed.

 
    I had to defrost fridge freezer and did 2 loads of laundry at my 2nd favorite marina laundry. Expensive but worth the money. Large capacity washers and driers, and the driers are very hot!

 
    I downloaded photos and worked to finish writing the blog. I do make notes and usually complete the daily update on my phone, but they need to be cleaned up.


Tuesday 10/25/22 ~ St Augustine ~ Day 3 

    Pete is working on catching up on other projects and prep for the 6-hr conference call this afternoon. I had the loaner car from 10-noon. I was able to pick up a new step ladder at Lowes, prescription at Walgreens, and food shop. When signing the form for the loaner car, I noticed that the range was 50 miles. Usually, one must stay within the city/town. When I questioned the staff, they said that Green Cove Springs was ok, but not JAX airport. We have a couple of heavy boxes at our mail service in Green Cove Springs. Once we are docked in Ft. Pierce, we planned to do the 3-hour drive to pick up the refrigerator parts. Guess who drove up to Green Cove Springs in the afternoon.

 
    Dinner was easy. We had pizza from one of our favorite places, Vinny’s NY Style Pizza, right here at the marina. Now we have enough for 2 more yummy meals on the freezer!


Wednesday, 10/26/22 ~ St. Augustine to Daytona, FL
Today:         60 miles            8.9 hours      S/M 755.6
Total:      1000.3 miles      158.0 hours
 

   Left the slip at 8. We picked up 27.7 gallons of fuel before heading out. We were shocked at the price- $191.93, which was $6.99 per gallon! It is the highest we’ve ever seen! That enforces the need to check prices.

    We fought the strong current at waiting 20 minutes for the Bridge of Lyons. The current with us for the 5-hour ride to the Flagler Beach Area. We dropped to 6.4, but slowly increased speed to the mid 7s. 

Historic St Augustine and The Castillo, North of the Bridge

City Marina, South of the Bridge

A boat too far gone?

    We were in our slip in Halifax Harbor Marina about 4:15. The gal who assisted us at the dock lives here at the marina. Ian brought lots of wind (85 mph) and lots of heavy rain (about 5 inches). We began to see a number of boats on shore or sunk as we approached Ormand by the Sea and further south. Boats in the marina fared much better.

Thursday, 10/27/22 ~ Daytona to Titusville, FL
Today:         60 miles            8.9 hours      S/M 878.1
Total:      1000.3 miles      158.0 hours

    There were clear skies, but haze on the water due to the air already pretty warm & very humid. We were out by 8:10. As we swung by the fuel dock, one of the dock hands was there with a fishing net to collect our key cards. This is a system that has worked for at least 12 years that were have stayed here.

 

The Bridges of Daytona

    We had the current for the first hour or so, but it then turned. It was shallow & narrow crossing into the Ponce de Leone Inlet. Once we crossed the inlet, we had 9+ under the keel. We coasted to the George Mason Bridge, which was under repair for electrical issues. I was able to dance in that very fast, incoming current for 15 minutes until the bridge opened.

    Between Daytona and the area below New Smyrna Beach, I counted close to 20 boats sunk or grounded, including 2 large (40-foot+) sailboats and a cabin cruiser.

 
Some of Ian's hurricane damage

Exiting Haulover Canal
onto the Indian River

    There were lots of dolphins mating. They like the shallows where there’s agitated waters, lots of splashing, fins and tails. There were also lots of manatees. They are more difficult to spot. Their noses are round, but blunt, usually clearing the water only 3-6 inches as they then dive down. Their backs will flatten the surface water. Lots of sightings by the fish camps, Mosquito Lagoon, and the western side of Haulover Canal.  Having once startled a sleeping manatee in the canal (who awoke and banged his tail against our hull!), we try real hard to see if other manatees are in the canal when we traverse it.


    We were at Titusville by 4, including a pump-out at the Ian-damaged, T-head dock. Once we were settled into our slip, Pete took Bailey for a walk while I took readings and straightened up.

 
    Pete has started doing the engine check after dinner rather than before departure. It makes for a better flow in our morning departure routine.

Friday, 10/28/22 ~ Titusville ~ Day 2

Spiderman has been
keeping watch over this 
catamaran for 3 years

    We stayed in Titusville an extra day. Pete has experienced episodes of vertigo. He described that when he got into bed last night, he felt as if the entire boat flipped upside down. Since I didn’t react, he realized it must be him. It is probably a middle ear infection, but we decided to see an urgent care facility just in case. Of course, a number of tests and labs that were inconclusive. Urgent care was only a half mile away, so we were able to walk, but then needed an UBER for the 4.5 miles to Walgreens for the lab work and prescriptions. Our UBER driver hung out in the parking lot knowing we would need a ride back to the marina.

 
    Once back, Pete cleaned up a few work things then relaxed and read the rest of the afternoon. I was able to work on a bunch of photos. As long as Pete doesn’t bend down, turn his head or move quickly he is doing better. The meds must be helping.

 
    I was able to move our reservation for Eau Gallie back a day with no problem. Pete was also able to switch the rental car to Monday, so we can retrieve our car from Ann & Howies’s.

    My mom and sister, Deb, are dealing with health issues. Mom has been hospitalized since Monday. My sister, Deneen, has been with her almost all week, while working remotely. Pete and I decided that it would be helpful if I went up for a couple of weeks to give her a break and to take care of Mom once out of rehab. 

 Saturday, 10/29/22 ~ Titusville to Eau Gallie, FL

Today:         36 miles            5.6 hours      S/M 914.8
Total:      1036.3 miles      163.6 hours

    We were docked at the marina by 2. It was humid, hot and no breeze. We sought the AC asap.

 
    The boat behind us is the same one that was behind us while we were in Belhaven - - SV CES’T CI BON. We have stayed in touch with Pam and Tom and plan to get together again soon.

 
    I need to make an appointment for Bailey on Tuesday, once we have our car. She has developed an ulcerative gingivitis that is painful. She doesn’t complain, but her expression says she doesn’t feel well. It came on fast (just 2 days ago) just like other flair ups, but unlike her internal flairs, we can SEE the irritation. There has been no improvement. We are trying to make her as comfortable as possible.


Sunday 10/30/22 ~ Eau Gallie to Fort Pierce, FL

Today:         51 miles            8.1 hours      S/M 965.1

Total:      1087.3 miles      1171.7 hours

 

    OUR FINAL DAY OF CRUISING UNTIL THE SPRING!

    We were up and out by 7:50. Temps in low 70’s, humidity low (no moisture on the windows) and breeze out if the ENE at 10 mph, but increased to 15. As we were leaving, people were at the parks across from the marina already fishing. One net fisherman was surrounded by storks preparing for an easy meal.  

    Once on the ICW, we were making way at 7.1 mph. With the addition of the gib, our speed increased to 7.8!

 
    We still see glimpses of manatees and river dolphins. More than we’ve ever seen on this area of the ICW. 

Sabastian Inlet's reminder to be aware of shoaling!

   The waters around Sabastian Inlet were busy with Hobie’s catamarans, jet skis, fishing boats, cruisers, kayaks. Lots of people were camping on islands. We continued to make great time, doing 8.2-8.4 cruising Sabastian Inlet.

 
Islands created by dredging the ICW. Some have homes

 

  

Weekenders enjoying the islands and the water, too!

 
Beautiful Wawassett

        
                                                                               . . .and the view from the perch seat

    While waiting for the last bridge to open in Fort Pierce, we could see the water color change to the beautiful light, but vivid, blue green color.

    We stopped for fuel before checking our dock. We were shocked to see it was occupied. They offered us the slip between MY ARGONAUT and MY BOLD RASCAL. The problem is that we have a dog to lift on and off the boat. That is why we have a contract for an inside of the T-head slip. We contracted for it back in February and have been paying for it since August. They allowed us to take the outside of the T-head until things get straightened out.

 
    Once settled and Bailey walked (and found her old, familiar sights and grounds) Pete and I had a delicious dinner at Cobbs. It was nice to know that we didn’t have to be up and traveling tomorrow or for a good while. We are "kinda" settled in our winter "home." We will be fully settled once the marina lets us back in our slip. 

Even with this hiccup, it is good to be back and looking forward to friends arriving back on the dock!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~   K & P