Voyage 2013-2014: Chapter 2

02 Mar 2014, Old Friends in St Augustine, 29 53.748 N/ 081 18.552 W

We left Vero at 0730 hoping to get to the Addison Pt. anchorage. Light winds and a stout motor got us there in plenty of time. However, weather was scheduled to turn foul, so we decided to stay there a extra day. During the height of the bad weather, we see Endaxi heading our way. Within 15 minutes, they are anchored with us. Not bad but it sounded like they had a miserable trip.

Yesterday, we left Addison Point figuring that we would get to Daytona before sunset. Scenery here is pretty much all the same except for the occasional fish camp. The camps are kindaa neat as you can see all sorts of different life styles milling around the camps. Some are quite fancy and others look they have been closed for years, but aren't.

We asked for and got one of the mooring balls on the north mooring field. We went through the Bridge of Lions at 1500 and took the ball shortly after that. Nice location as you can see the fort, Front Street, and the bridge. But the current can be a problem with strong northerlies. No northerlies for us.

We were pleasantly surprised Butch and Vicki (SV Legend) and Tom and Nancy (formerly of SV Celena) waiting at the marina yesterday. We traveled with them on our second Bahamas trip in 2002-2003. It was great catching up with them at the Columbia restaurant. Afterwards, we did a bit of shopping on the touristy streets. Sadly, they had to leave with B&V heading for New Bern NC and T&N going back to Palm Coast to their dirt dwellings.

We attempted to go to Sunday church at the Cathedral of St. Augustine but that day was Bishop's Appeal Sunday where we were bombarded with a movie, some pleading and a 20 minute lecture on how to fill out the pledge card. After 25 minutes, we left as Mass had not yet started. Bad us. Bad them.

Later that day we had pirates attack another ship in the north harbor. We were worried that they might come our way. Fear not as the ship quickly vanquished the pirates and the afternoon was saved. It is strange that the pirates only attack on the weekends. Why is that?

8 Mar 2014, On to Fernandina Beach, 30 41.208 N/ 081 27.624 W

Time to leave St. Augustine. We had a perfect window to go outside to Fernandina but we got lazy and chose the ICW as it would be 'easier' Big mistake! Once we were north of the St. Johns River, the charts depicted little resemblance to reality. Yes, our charts were current to 2013. There was little problem navigating these waters until we were within sight of the Fernandina Beach mooring field. In waters charted at 10-18 ft MLW (and we were at MLW), we saw depths shrink from 12 ft to less than 5. Fortunately, we slowed Jule to near steerage way so the inevitable thump was not too hard. The subsequent tow was professional but the keel bumped a lot before it was freed. No more inside stuff in this area.

Once free of the tow boat, we found our mooring ball, and readied for the upcoming blow. Sure enough, the rather exposed mooring field experienced winds of 20-30 kts. During the next day or so we could do little but watch the building seas; too rough for the dinghy. Once we got to shore, we enjoyed the restaurants and shops of the historic district. Our favorite is Pablo's Mexican restaurant.

This is the land of shrimp and pelicans. The pelicans loiter near the local fish distributer waiting for the scraps to be tossed. The local gang hangs around and in the marina's dinghy. It is not a pretty sight. When the door opens the birds leave the perch and head for the nice man with fish parts. Often, there will be 40-50 birds waiting for their handout.

Today is our last day in Fernandina Beach as a rather nice weather window will appear tomorrow through Saturday. Also, today is Ash Wednesday so we headed for St. Michael's Catholic Church for a couple of prayers and a little bit of ash. Very nice church with a very friendly congregation. The last time we were here was Thanksgiving of 2000 where we attended the mass.