To Little Sister’s Creek, Jacksonville ~

Friday, 4/3/20 ~ Bailey was out of sorts last night. She woke us up at midnight and again at 2 am needing to go out.  Pete took her and she has slight soft stools.  She might be starting on a flareup of her vasculitis.  Her hip is also getting weaker.  We will have to be more helpful with her on stairs, as well as getting on and off the boat.

     She was walked and we were on our way by 8 am.  She was stressed and wanted to just remain down below this morning. I finally gave her a sedative and she was really sleepy until able 6 in the evening.

   

       The current was against us up to Tomalto River, allowing us to only make way around 5.5 mph.  Just before Roscoe Road, we began to increase speed. At one point we were cruising at 8.3 mph as we got closer to the St. John’s River.  I was at the helm and was surprised seeing one of the Norwegian Cruise ships heading down river.

    The county ramps were very busy with small boats as we passed.  However, we were shocked that there were no other boats on the free dock.  We had it all to ourselves all night!  There are fisherman on both the dock and the walkways, but the fish don’t seem to be biting today. Pete has taken the opportunity to speak with a number of fishermen about gear and technique.  He would like to take it on as a hobby.

     We were fully charged when we pulled in. Seven hours later, we were still at 90%.  The big draw at anchor is the GPS. Here we don’t need to leave it on. Pete opted to run the engine for about an hour to top off the batteries before bed.

Saturday, 4/4/20 ~  It was a great night for sleeping, cool temps and gentle breezes.  Bailey slept well, but we could hear the shrimp snapping on the hull for most of the night. Once I realized what it was, the noise didn’t keep me awake.

Fishing ~

        

Visitors around the water ~ including a container ship coming up St. John's River ~

        

The big ships are constantly blaring 5 horn blasts due to small boats not paying attention ~

     

     We will stay here today and tomorrow head to Jekyll Island. Pete sat up above socializing at 6-foot social distancing to those who walked the dock and reading.  I am trying to catch up with the blog.  I have had most of it typed and ready for posting but need the photos processed.  With luck, most of the blog will be updated.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

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

To Daytona Anchorage ~

Sunday, 3/29/20 ~ We were able to drop the mooring ball around 8:30.  Once again we passed a pod of dolphins heading up to Haulover Canal.  As we approached, we learned that the bridge was stuck in the down position.  Crews were working to repair it.  There were 4 boats ahead of us anchored in the canal.  We became boat number 5.  The bottom is quite scoured, but Pete was able to finally get the anchor to set.  There were 3 other boats including SV HAPPY TRAILS anchored behind us.  Thankfully, we only had a 40-minute wait.  We did see a mother and baby manatee along the shoreline as well as a number of fishermen casting from shore. 

Two of the multiple islands on the Indian River that are rookeries for a number of birds. I have seen Herring Gulls, Brown Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Green Herons,White Egrets, Wood Storks,  Double crested Cormorants, and the pink birds are Roseate Spoonbills. ~

              

The Haulover Bridge was broken ~  and the crew that did the repairs ~

        

     As we cleared Haulover Canal, we turned north, and everyone let out their jibs to make use of the great breezes and make up time. We sailed up Mosquito Lagoon and partially through the fishing camps before the winds changed direction. 

        

Our entertainment in New Smyrna,
as we waited for the bridge

SV HAPPY TRAILS

     Once again, there were lots of recreational boaters on the water.  We were passed by HAPPY TRAILS as well as some of the other sailboats once the sail was down.  Since we have less power and shorter waterlines, we were not able to make the opening of the Munson Bridge.  We missed it by about 3 minutes, so we just held position for the half hour and made the next opening. 

Enjoying the water from their boats ~

  

  

   

     We were able to drop anchor in Daytona around 4 PM.  As we searched for a place to anchor, Pete noticed on the GPS and Sonar Charts, that this area has dramatically changed as far a depths.  A lot of shifting has occurred and is not documented.  As a result, we had to anchor about ¾ mile from the park where Pete walks Bailey.  

     Once anchored, the wind temperature noticeably dropped.  The clouds formed a dramatic line of distinction between clear sky and light clouds.  I have never seen such a straight and long line.  After dinner above, we settled in for the night.

    

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K

To Titusville ~

Saturday, 3/28/20 ~ It was a great night for sleeping; breezes out of the SSE and mild temps. However, for about an hour and a half last night, the jets over at Melbourne Airport were testing the engines. Thankfully, they stopped around 10 pm.

The anchorage in the morning

     While Pete walked Bailey, I watched a number of fishermen casting nets in various parts of the anchorage. It was amazing how many fish were jumping since dawn.  At times I could see about 5 fish in different areas splash as they reentered the water.  Of course, it was impossible to capture in a photo, despite my efforts. 

Pete and Bailey heading for a walk ~

  

Casting a fishing net ~

        

 Departing the anchorage and looking back ~

    

     The winds were out of the SSE at 10-15 as we left the anchorage.  During the day, we traveled with 4 other sailboats and was passed by 4 boats.  Only day fisherman were heading south.

     Pete made docking reservations at Camachee Cove Marina as well as the car rental for pick up by 5 on Monday.  We need to move the car from West Palm Beach to Charleston, a process that will take 2 days.

    At the bridge prior to Titusville, a sailboat needed to sail through the opening due to engine problems.  We offered to tow, but he felt confident that they would be underway shortly once he fixed the fuel injector problem.

     There was no problem picking up a mooring ball in Titusville. We were able to top off the fuel tanks and pay for the mooring ball at the dock before heading out to pick up a ball.  Once settled, called Deb and Hugh.  They will pick up salads and pizza on their way over around 6 pm.  We watched others come in for mooring while the small boats were heading to the ramps for haul-out.  There were plenty of dolphins playing in the mooring field between 4 and 5:30. One family had a dog on the bow, who became the dolphin finder. It appeared as if the dolphins knew it and played hide and seek with him.  The kids on board were thrilled with the sightings. 
Playing with the dolphins ~

  

     We headed to shore with Bailey in the dinghy around 5:30. Bailey was walked while I staked out our picnic table. As we arrived, we met Mike and Kathy from SV HAPPY TRAILS.  They are a motor-sailor also heading north, with the hopes of doing the Great Loop. Mike gave me their card, but I didn’t have one to give him.  I told him that I would email our information.  With any luck, hopefully, we will catch up in person while heading north.

     There were other boaters on the other 2 tables, and we talked until Deb and Hugh arrived.  It was so good to catch up with them. We haven’t seen them since January. The deluxe pizzas they brought were delicious and of course I really enjoyed the large salad.  Too soon, the sun set and darkness was beginning to fall. We needed to head back. Hopefully, we will have a chance to get together before next fall.  We will definitely keep in touch.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K