It was a pretty day. Temps were in the mid 70’s. and breezes were light. I went up to do laundry and saw a lot of people with their wagons, bags and coolers, heading to the Freedom Boats.
Views around St. Johns Marina and Vicky & Al's previous boat, SV OHANA KAI
Tillie and new friend, Ralphy playing on the docks
St. Johns Marina has been under new management for the past 3+ years. Besides updating their computer systems, taking Dockwa requests, and sprucing up their already wonderful laundry, they have now a fleet of Freedom Boats, a 2-year-old new dock with lifts for the smaller boats and walkway from the parking lot. They are just completing the floating "drive-up/onto" docks (there is probably a specific name for them, but dang if I know.) E is still the dockmaster and Steve (and his trusty dachshund, Schnitzel) still works the desk as well as the docks. He is also a resident of teh marina, who checks the boats and docks after hours. Oh yea, I forgot to mention, the docking fees have almost doubbled.
Pete borrowed the car. He was able to take the recycled oil, and pick up TP and the missing food items form our earlier shopping trip.
We were able to get the TV feed to watch the Eagles’ game. It was a good game, but they lost to the Jets in the last 4 minutes.
I spent the afternoon working on blog. Before bed, I posted the 2nd & 3rd weeks. I am all caught up!!!
Monday, October 16, 2023 ~ St. Johns to Beaufort, SC
Today: 63 miles 10.4 hours S/M 536.3
Total: 723 miles 112.8 hours
The alarm went off at 5:30, so we could depart at 6:15 am. It was dark, with 60 degrees, light winds from NE and overcast, which was helpful with reflecting light from the city. We had the outgoing current down the Stono River, keeping us at 8.1 mph for an hour.
The sun peaked out for maybe 20 minutes, giving a warm light on the shoreline that was beautiful. We saw a number of river dolphins and an eagle, but only 1 boat passed us.
We were able to get the TV feed to watch the Eagles’ game. It was a good game, but they lost to the Jets in the last 4 minutes.
I spent the afternoon working on blog. Before bed, I posted the 2nd & 3rd weeks. I am all caught up!!!
Monday, October 16, 2023 ~ St. Johns to Beaufort, SC
Today: 63 miles 10.4 hours S/M 536.3
Total: 723 miles 112.8 hours
The alarm went off at 5:30, so we could depart at 6:15 am. It was dark, with 60 degrees, light winds from NE and overcast, which was helpful with reflecting light from the city. We had the outgoing current down the Stono River, keeping us at 8.1 mph for an hour.
The sun peaked out for maybe 20 minutes, giving a warm light on the shoreline that was beautiful. We saw a number of river dolphins and an eagle, but only 1 boat passed us.
On St. Helens Sound, we saw a large cruiser come in from ocean onto the Cooswaw River. We had the current against, 4.2- 5 mph for 18 miles! Once we were "over the hump," on the Beaufort River, we were suddenly doing 8.5-9.1mph. Pete had to cut the engine to idle to slow down for the bridge. We had a 10-minute wait for the 4 pm opening, which is better than the 3 hours we would have had to wait for the commuter traffic closing. Pete was stressed while we were on the Cooswaw. GPS had us getting to the marina closer to 5. He had an important conference call with new clients at 4:30.
The Marine airstrip is where the current finally changed and
the 4 pm opening of the Ladies Island Brige!
Pete took his conference call while I walked Tillie through the park. We met a lovely woman enjoying one of the swings. She recently moved here from PA and loves the area.
We had dinner and a quiet evening. It was a long day, especially tense for Pete concerned that we would not make that 4 o’clock bridge opening.
Tuesday, October 17 & Wednesday, October 18, 2023
We had dinner and a quiet evening. It was a long day, especially tense for Pete concerned that we would not make that 4 o’clock bridge opening.
Tuesday, October 17 & Wednesday, October 18, 2023
~ Ocean jump from Beaufort, SC to Fernandina, FL
Today: 134 miles 17.0 hours S/M 716.8
Total: 857 miles 129.8 hours
Tillie woke us at 6:45. It was 48 degrees, clear and no breeze. Pete took her for a long walk, met lots of puppies and their people on the walk. Around 7, they were sitting on one of the swings and watched the bridge open for a commercial tug and barge. A short while later, he noticed the tug and barge in the distance, but the bridge was still closed to traffic and the bells were still clanging for the bridge opening. Then he noticed the traffic on the bridge was turning around to vacate the bridge. The bridge reopened for traffic after an hour. It had no issues with an 11am opening.
Pete did some last-minute prep while Tillie and I took a walk around the old historic district. As we left, she saw her first horse, curious indeed. In the cemetery, I met the woman from yesterday. She and 2 friends were collecting data on graves and other structures that need some TLC in the future.
We continued on for another mile before we returned to the dock with a number of interesting photos.
Old Bull Tavern and some local homes
Spanish Moss, an entry gate, and Wax Mallow flowers
Sweet Bay Shoppe and back to the high tide at the waterfront
We waited until 12 to fuel up and depart with the change to the ebb tide. This way, we ride the current out of Port Royal Sound and hopefully, tomorrow, catch the flood tide heading into Fernandina Beach. YEA! The weather is cooperating as well as the currents for an outside jump to bypass Georgia.
While sitting in the cockpit, a Carolina Wren flew inside the enclosure. I was able to catch it with cupped hands and freed it outside. It was sooooo cool!
Today: 134 miles 17.0 hours S/M 716.8
Total: 857 miles 129.8 hours
Tillie woke us at 6:45. It was 48 degrees, clear and no breeze. Pete took her for a long walk, met lots of puppies and their people on the walk. Around 7, they were sitting on one of the swings and watched the bridge open for a commercial tug and barge. A short while later, he noticed the tug and barge in the distance, but the bridge was still closed to traffic and the bells were still clanging for the bridge opening. Then he noticed the traffic on the bridge was turning around to vacate the bridge. The bridge reopened for traffic after an hour. It had no issues with an 11am opening.
Pete did some last-minute prep while Tillie and I took a walk around the old historic district. As we left, she saw her first horse, curious indeed. In the cemetery, I met the woman from yesterday. She and 2 friends were collecting data on graves and other structures that need some TLC in the future.
We continued on for another mile before we returned to the dock with a number of interesting photos.
Views on Bay Street
Nature's decorating again
The interesting and lovely St. Helena's Cemetary
Old Bull Tavern and some local homes
Sweet Bay Shoppe and back to the high tide at the waterfront
While sitting in the cockpit, a Carolina Wren flew inside the enclosure. I was able to catch it with cupped hands and freed it outside. It was sooooo cool!
Paris Island officers quarters along the river and Tillie in her life vest
By 2 pm, we on the ocean. The uneven bottom caused upwelling, water color changes and feeder fish to the surface. The pelicans, kites and gulls were gathering around them.
Heading out to sea and passing ocean buoy R6
Heading out to the furthest markers (about 10 miles) we saw 9 ships at anchor waiting to head into Savannah. One of them headed in while we were still about 2 miles north of the channel.
Once we were below the Savanah shipping channel, we put in a way point. As of 4:50 pm, GPS has us getting to the sea buoys for St. Mary’s River at 4:59 tomorrow morning. We then only have about 1 3/4 hours to the marina. We were about 1.5 hours ahead of schedule coutesy of the outgoing current
While at the helm, close to 5 pm, I saw a large turtle on the surface, but it quickly splashed as he turned to dive before I could identify it. Around 6 pm, we were about 15 miles east of Warsaw Sound, GA when I spotted black objects making splashes in an area a 1/4 mile off to our port. It appeared to be coming from 5 or 6 different “fish?” or so I thought. Then I saw not one, but 2 spouts of water . . . from whales! Pete managed to see splashes from flukes! WOW!!!
Sunset came and I was positioning to take a photo, when I glanced up and saw something large, about 15 feet from the boat, land with a splash. As I shouted, Pete look out and saw a large dolphin jump again. I wish I was ready to take a photo as the dolphin was between us and the setting sun.
Sunset to the West while twilight approaches from the East
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| Moon's reflection after sunset |
Pete had a very uneventful night (just the way it should be!) Approaching Brunswick Inlet, he saw 1 ship all lit up, preparing to come into port, while 2 others sat at anchor. He spotted a 4th on radar, out almost 24 miles from us.
Pete woke me just around 5:30. We entered the St. Mary’s Inlet at 5:39 am.
Light show onboard and dawn on the St Mary's River
We tied up to the dock at Fernandina at 7:30 am. The dog couldn’t wait to be walked. Once back, the dock hand filled fuel and we were moved to the southern end of dock. It was 8:30 when we finally had breakfast. Of course, now that we had a good signal again, we checked emails & news, then crashed.
Early in the afternoon, I remembered that Connie and Ed, SV SOUTHERN PILOT, should still be in Fernandina. They were available and we had a great dinner at The Patio. It is a cute place, super staff, and delicious food. We hated saying good-by, but Tillie was waiting for a walk and we were tired.
The Patio and the singer who entertained us all night
A Lagoon 630MY catamaran was opposite of us on the dock.
The night shots of the marina were taken when Tillie went for her last walk.
Happy 60th to my wonderful brother-in-law, Joe. The man’s man who has been absolutely devoted the women in his life, especially my sister and their daughters. Happy Birthday, Joe!
Thursday, October 19,2023 ~ Fernandina to Sisters Creek Free Dock, Jacksonville, FL
Today: 22 miles 3.5 hours S/M 749.2
Total: 879 miles 133.3 hours
Tillie tried to wake us at 6:30. I was able to get her to chill for another half hour. She and I walked around Fernandina for over an hour enjoying architecture, decorations, and window shopping on such a beautiful morning. The no breeze and 65 degrees made for a very pleasant walk. We even met Duke, a 6-month old, and his person again. The pups enjoyed their play.
Today: 22 miles 3.5 hours S/M 749.2
Total: 879 miles 133.3 hours
Tillie tried to wake us at 6:30. I was able to get her to chill for another half hour. She and I walked around Fernandina for over an hour enjoying architecture, decorations, and window shopping on such a beautiful morning. The no breeze and 65 degrees made for a very pleasant walk. We even met Duke, a 6-month old, and his person again. The pups enjoyed their play.
Sunrise on Centre Street
Some charming Victorians and an old Salt Box
Stain glass window window box and Hybiscus with morning dew
The cactus garden with Mexican Chicks (r) and Rabbit Ears (l)
Fall decor
The following are conversation pieces. No, the shark is not real - just a photo op. However, the connections to the electrical box for a mega yacht was amaizing as well as puzzeling. Are the colored areas for inline fuses? and just how much power is needed for a 100-foot yacht?
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| This beautiful Trumphy departed at 1st light |
We were away from the dock by 8:30. We had the current for the first hour, cruising nicely at 7.8. As we approached the Amelia River, our speed dropped to 5.1, then increased to 8.1 as we approached Sisters Creek / Clapboard Creek. We continued to ride the current, averaging 8.2 for another hour.
We spotted a few Spoon Bills chillin’ with some white pelicans, but it was a little too far away to capture with my phone.
Tree lined islands along the creek and Jacksonville's shipping docks in the distance
We were the first on the free dock. A single hander came in motor cat came in about 2 hours later. It was a quiet stay, with some interesting birds. Saw great blue herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants, gulls, a kestrel, a gray heron, small sandpipers and a flock of heavy, loud, metal Blue Angels.
The only one on the dock, the crew from the 2nd boat and some fishermen
. . . and a Blue Angel!
We periodically heard military planes and saw a number of them doing touch-and-gos and fly-bys. One finally came fairly close that I was able to grab a photo with my DSLR with a long lens. It wasn't until I zoomed in that I saw the gold #3 on the tail that I knew it was a Blue Angel on its approach to Mayfield Naval Air Station, on the eastern side of the creek.
There is no power at these docks, so we read until bedtime, but we did enjoy the beautiful sunset!
To the East . . .
. . .and to the West
Poor Tillie was so skittish with all the dark shadows, she didn’t have a successful last walk. We hope she can hold it until morning.
Friday, October 20, 2023 ~ Day 2 ~ Sisters Creek, Jacksonville, FL
Tillie let is sleep until 7:15, but she only made it to the cockpit to get relief. We had breakfast up in the cockpit. Temps were rising from 58 as the sun climbed higher. We eventually got to 80. Winds were out of the SW and they, too, climbed to 12 by midafternoon.
Lots of fishermen like the paddle canoes.
The USCG HAMMER, tug and barge, is returning to dock at Mayfield base.
(per our Coastie, Greg)
Pete had a conference call and I was a bit under the weather. Around 4, I did get some photos of the Blue Angles doing their practice show with the big camera. They are to perform to the crowds on the beaches, and away from us.
These were as they took off over us
The final photo was their breakaway today as they circle to come in for the landing
I never gave thought to all the new electronics that are placed on and in newer engines. Thankfully, when we were struck in 2005, our 2002 Universal 35 hp didn't have any electronics and was able to get us back home from Annapolis to our dock on Kent Island. The repair estimate, insurance claim, repairing and replacing took the dockyard almost 3 months. It was wonderful to have her back and all systems working!
Saturday, October 21, 2023 ~ Sisters Creek, Jacksonville to Comachee Cove, St. Augustine, FL
Today: 48 miles 6.5 hours S/M 775.6
Total: 927 miles 139.8 hours
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| PEKABU at Sisters Creek Dock |
Once we were officially on the Tolomoto River, the current changed and our speed dropped 6.4 mph adding a good hour to our travel today.
Connie and Ed passed through Jacksonville yesterday and took a photo of PEKABU at the dock. They also mentioned that the Blue Angles had an air show over Jacksonville Beach today and tomorrow.
I can't believe we have been cruising for a month already, with only one more week till we are in Ft. Pierce!
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