To St. Augustine, Camachee Cove Marina

Today's magnificent sunrise in Daytona

Monday, 3/30/20 ~ We were heading north around 8 am.  Daytona’s new bridge is almost done.  That leaves just one bridge that needs opening in Daytona.  I wouldn’t be surprised if it is decommissioned and turned into a fishing pier once the new bridge opens.

Fort Matanzas

     It was an uneventful ride north.  I am still amazed by the number of sunk boats along the ICW.  In the anchorage south of St. Augustine, there are 3 sunken vessels including a commercial fishing boat. These sunken boats were not there on the way down.


           

    
     The current was not favorable for a substantial part of out trip.  Checking while we were at the Matanzas Inlet, we would miss the 4 pm opening of the Bridge of Lyons by 5 minutes. Pete quickly rearranged for us to pick up the rental car in the morning and canceled the Camachee loaner car for tonight.  Somehow, the current gods smiled down on us and we were at the Bridge of Lyons at 3:55!  It would have still been too tight to make it to Enterprise by 4:45.

     We were able to top off fuel before heading to our slip.

Tuesday, 3/31/20 ~ Bailey was walked, the loaner car was sanitized and we were on our way to pick up the rental car at 9.  For “efficiency” many of the local Enterprise locations had closed and all the cars were brought to the central location here in St Augustine near 95.  They must have 300 cars and a staff of maybe 6. Our rep had a hard time finding our car, but finally met with success.

     We headed back to pick up our stuff (snacks, drinks, and Bailey,) drop off the loaner car and head south.  The trip to West Palm Beach took 4.5 hours with stops.  No problem with drive throughs and bathroom stops.  As we returned to St. Augustine, we called Vinny’s New York Style Pizza. They were doing curbside pick-up, so we had a great dinner, and leftovers for another.

Wednesday, 4/1/20 ~ We headed north with both the rental and our cars around 8. This wound up being a very surreal ride. There were lots of semi-trucks on the road; probably 3 trucks to everyone car. When we approached the Florida/Georgia border on 95, there was a 2-mile backup of vehicles heading south being detoured into a weigh station for CoVid 19 screening.  And lastly, there was quite a number of army vehicles on flatbeds, heading south while lots of campers were heading north.  Add this to the NY, NJ, PA, and MD joining a number of other states, issuing a shelter-in-place. The order allows for people to go out for essentials only, food shop, pharmacy, fuel, etc.  Medical appointments are now phone/video appointments, and people need to consult with doctors before going to the ER. 
        

     Pete and I discussed our options. We were already proactive moving the car up to Charleston, but we both decided to see if we could stay a month in Charleston, rather than pushing to get back to the Chesapeake.  Once at St. John’s Marina, we were unable to speak with E, but the acting harbormaster, remembered us.  He was able to confirm dockage beginning next week for a month.  We will keep them posted of our arrival date.  We need to wait for a window to jump outside Georgia to Hilton Head.  Having made the decision, we feel much better.  If necessary, we could be back “home” by car in about 10 hours if necessary.

     We went though the checkpoint once back in Florida. There was no longer a line. They just wanted to know what state we were coming from. Thankfully, South Carolina is not one of the current hot spots. We were wished safe travels and stay healthy.

     It was another 12-hour day.  As it was after 8 pm, we were not able to pick up the last few items from Publix.  They are on modified hours, closing at 8. So, once back, we just chilled and called it a day.

Thursday, 4/2/20 ~  The plan was to use the rental to run over to Publix as they opened at 8.  While I ran in, Pete would “de-hair” the car. Then return to the boat, drop off the groceries, pick up the loaner car, fill both cars with gas, return the rental, stop at the bank, return the loaner car, and then depart.

     But you know what they say about best laid plans. . . ! By the time we dropped off the rental is was already 10:30.  Why go crazy as well as possibly missing out on the free dock at Sister’s Creek in Jacksonville, as we would be arriving late in the afternoon?  Pete made an executive decision.  He called and extended out stay at Camachee by a day, did a U-turn and stopped at Duncan Donuts, treated us to a great breakfast, stopped at the bank, then returned the loaner car by 11:30.  Since I had a headache, he sent me to take a nap while he did the laundry.  It was a much appreciated and great opportunity to chill.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K