Vero Beach, Florida

    We came here on the 23rd to be in a place with all the comforts to spend Christmas. We picked up a mooring ball around noon after a beautiful sail down the waterway, which is lined with hugh houses on both sides. Somebody said to me, " That it is not amazing that some people have so much money, it's amazing how many, have so much money". The houses were well over 20,000 sq/ ft.

  Usually, they put 2 and 3 boats to one mooring ball here, because this is a very busy place but we were lucky and had one all to ourselves. All the boaters got together on Christmas day for a potluck dinner, everyone bringing a dish. There were over 200 attendees.

 They call this place Velcro Beach, because once you visit, you want to stick around, and you can see why. Free public transportation stops at the marina and will take you anywhere in town. So easy, every hour at 10 after it goes to the beach, at 20 after it goes to the malls. All the big name stores are here, but the most important is the ABC store, which has all brands of wine and liquor. We did most of our provisioning and now have 4 months food aboard.

We have been kept very busy with boat chores but took time out to visit the beach which streches for miles.

Pressing On to our Christmas stop

       We would like to be further south to find a nice spot to spend Christmas. Today it's only 5 days away so the push is on.  Soon as we could get out of the marina where we had the work done we pressed on. Everything is scheduled around the tide and weather, luck helps a lot too.
 To make sure the stuffing box was not leaking more than it should after being repacked we chose a place only 18 miles away. The stuffing box is a unit which keeps the water out of the boat around the drive shaft.
We stopped for the night at New Smyra Beach in a marina with most boats decorated with lights. It's hard to think about the holiday when it's near 80 degrees. Doesn't stop missing our family and friends who are freezing in the north.

  We had to dodge fishing boats netting sheephead. They had the whole waterway blocked so we had to slow down and weave around them. A passing boater told us to head right at them and, it would be up to them to get out of our way.  I closed my eyes and, we made it through.

Tonight we are only 30 miles from Vero Beach, our chosen place to spend the holiday. But again there is a threat of a storm. Mother nature and Santa should have a talk.

                                                                                   Right off the dock!!!!!!

Daytona Beach

    After a one night stop on the Palm Coast we moved to Daytona Beach where we had arranged to get our boat hauled out to paint the bottom. It has been 3 years since it was painted last, so we expected it to be in rough shape. Also it is time to replace stuffing box and to change the zincs. These are metal similar to lead which will corrode first before allow any current to attack any other metal on the boat underwater. Hard to explain.
  They were waiting for us at the marina, and got to work right away preparing to lift  Mistress.  As boatowners it's a very stressful time. This is our home. I know these guys are pro's but in my mind, there is so many things that could go wrong. We walked around trying not to look. The guys in the yard did a great job, all went well.

 The paint we had put on 3 years ago was in  good shape, but we still wanted to add another coat. The bottom had to dry for the day before we could start painting, so what else could we do, we went to the beach. We have never been to Daytona Beach before. What a pleasent surprise that was. The Beach was beautiful, white sand that stretched on forever. The waves crashing on the shore and the young people surfing, it was incredible. We sat there  and watched them surf. It looked like so much fun. We both agreed, that was off our bucket list, we would for sure break a hip or worst a back. I love Daytona beach in off season.

     Well the next morning up early and off to work taping painting, putting on zincs. All we could think of is going back to the beach and fishing on the pier, drinking beer and watching surfers. The projects got done in record time, we worked from seven in the morning to about two. Then showers and then back to the beach. What a hard life.

   
Tried our hand at fishing, but as they say, they weren't biting. Still had a great time feeding the bait to the birds.

St. Augustine, Fla.

    After riding out three days of pea soup thick fog we left just before high tide to make our way to St. Augustine. We've enjoyed Fernandina Beach,  stolling through town shopping, eating at some neat little restaurants, even taking in their Santa Claus Parade. But we have our sights set to be farther south for Christmas, so we're moving on.

  We thought that we were past all the trouble spots, but we had a very slow pace for the first part as we had to pay close attention to shoals and to moved navigation markers. The Army Corp. of Engineers, who take care of the waterways place them where they are needed, sometimes not where our onboard GPS says they are. We got through fine, maybe hurt the pride a bit as we touched the bottom no less than 3 times.
   We crossed the St. John's river as the rain came down in a full out thunderstorm, slowly motoring from marker to marker as visibilty was down to about 100 ft. Who said boating isn't exciting?
Soon after, with the sun setting fast, so we pulled into Beach Marina, in Jacksonville.
  Today just happened to be their Christmas Party, so as guests of the marina we were invited. Free dinner with all drinks on the house. What timing. They sure know how to throw a party. There were over 1500 attendees.
 After untying the docklines early we continued on to St. Augustine, arriving early enough to walk around town in the afternoon.

 

     We have been in St. Augistine now for three days, with rain and high winds. Oh ya, did I tell you ......this is  Beautifull Sunny Florida. We are heading for Daytona Beach hopefully on Friday (tomorrow) to get the boat hauled out, to paint the bottom. It is long over due. Weather permiting.
  Our friends on Chassuer left today, as they were only going a little ways. We will meet up with them again. They bought us a gift, a small cushion that is now our motto.

    Thanks, Suzanne and Terry.

Fernandina Beach, Florida

 
       After a very relaxing evening at anchor, listening and watching dolphins play around our boat, we started out at close to 11:am , the tide needed to be in our favour.

We passed Kings Bay where they service nuclear submarines, they had a two patrol boats making sure you kept your distance, which is no closer than 500 yards. See the submarine in the distance.

We have finally made it to Florida, after making a high tide dash down the waterway past some problem spots to cross the inlet that divides the two states. Soon after tying up to a mooring ball, we had a cool one to celebrate. We were lucky to get here when we did, as the harbour was blanketed by a thick fog. I thought this was the sunshine state?

The first night here turned out to be a rolly uncomfortable evening, as the wind kicked up and bounced us till morning. In the morning the fog moved back in, so as not to waste the day we walked throughout the town visiting the small shops. This is the only place in the United States that has been under 8 different flags before becoming part of the USA. There are many historical buildings, but then again ,we've seen so many on this trip.

  We stopped in the Palace Saloon , supposably the oldest in saloon in the country. We sat down at a table, but after not getting served for almost ten minutes we left. Went and had dinner at a newer place, great seafood, they offload the boats right beside the restaurants in the harbour.

       

The pelians wait at the boat launch for a free hand-out. Most fishermen feed them the un-used bait.

We will be staying here till the weather changes.

St. Simon's Island, Georgia

  Located on the southern part of Georgia's scenic coastline, four barrier  islands and the adjoining mainland combine to transport  you to the world of serene, natural beauty. Together with fascinating history and recreation of all types, the collection of St. Simon's Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simon's Island and Brunswick, will be one of the most captivating you will ever discover. Beautiful marshlands surround the area. Sandy beaches stretch on for miles.

 We left here about an hour before high tide at Jekyll Island, at approximately 10am , where we were planning to spend the night at anchorage. Hoping to see wild horse that roam the Island. Soon after untying the lines and making our way back to the main channel, we received a call on the VHF from Chasseur, our buddy boat. The water temp alarm was going off, and their motor was overheating. The only option was to go back to the dock. We could have carried on, but it's only right that we stick with them. At least I could help with trying to find out what caused the problem.
  Back at the dock, after letting the engine cool down, we found the culprit. Faulty impeller, a small wheel that circulates cooling water. After  replacing it, we chose to stay till tomorrow. Dealing with tide again.
As not to waste the day, we borrowed the marina bikes and rode to town to have a bite to eat.

One thing about the cruising life, you have to be flexible.

Georgia

    We are now in the state of Georgia. When we leave one state and travel in to the next we always seem to find new challenges. This one has  a 9ft tide and, and lots of spots that you really got to pay attention. We need 6 feet of water under our boat so we have to time it right to get where we want to go. This causes us to take it in small chunks. But the good news is we are right beside Florida. The weather has been warm, high 70s.
  We have spent the last few days at some of the most beautiful and peaceful anchorages that you could imagine. We are buddy boating with Suzanne and Terry, on Chasseur who we met way back in New Jersey.

 Dolphins swim around the boat all night long. When they come to the top of the water the only thing that you hear in the dark, is a loud burst of air as they exhale.
 Another thing we have found again is bugs, gnats, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. The other morning I swore I had seen a hummingbird dart inside the boat then quickly fly away. Later on that night I almost fell in the water when I realized that it was just a huge moth. It even hummed.
There are lots birds here, our favourite are the egrets who came to roost in a tree directly behind us.

Because we are in the swampy lowlands our Internet or cellphone connections have not worked in days. Hope it hasn't caused any alarm, we are fine. We have taken long walks on roads that are covered in with hugh Live oaks draped in spanish moss.

  Tomorrow we are sailing to an island that has wild horses.