This is what the shifting cable looked like when it came apart.
The outer casing had rusted and when put under pressure split. Without the strength of the casing, the cable just makes a loop and doesn’t do it’s job of moving the shifting lever on the back of the transmission.
This is the repair he made that got us home.
There is a plastic hose inside of the grey one…then several wire ties.
We are now looking for new cables.
Look at this sunrise!!!
Jim topped off the generator fuel tank.
That generator has only had a few hours off in the last few weeks.
We will be at the dock by 9 am. Our neighbor and friend, George, will pick Jim up and take him to the house for the truck and trailer. I’ll stow everything that I can. Once Jim is here, we’ll load the bird and dog in the warm truck and then we’ll remove all the side curtains, getting it ready to load on the trailer for the trip home.
We didn’t get to stay out as long as we wanted….but there will be other trips. I didn’t want to take a chance on broken waterlines etc at home. It is cool in here…the oven has warmed it up to 65. The air conditioning repair man will be here in the morning and….hopefully….we’ll have heat again.
We decided to make another early run. The sun wouldn’t hit the boat until almost 9 where we were anchored. Once in the middle of Lake George we’d have it as soon as it was up.
We couldn't believe how much frost was on the boat. Handrails ..everything had a thick coat of it. Because the water is so warm there was a lot of mist rising as we left.
It was really beautiful.
I had to go out and make a snowball.
We cruised for almost 3 hours and the frost was still there.
So I decided to make a snowman.
He lasted another hour or two. Even with the sun on the deck, the air was cold enough to keep it frozen.
Here’s a tip….if you come to Florida to go fishing….be sure to dress for the weather. At least the fish were biting.
Even “Santa” fishes in Florida.
The Pelicans were gathering on the sunny side of the roofs. Out of the wind and in the sunshine.
We have not seen an alligator. Even the regulars are not out.
Jim was up before the sun and had coffee made. He handed me a hot cup as I was rolling out……what a treat on a COLD morning.
We knew we’d have to run the generator for the heater and it was just barely keeping the chill out. We decided to get moving and once the engine compartment was warm we could open one of the doors and get a bit more heat.
The gentleman in the sailboat was already gone when we got to the dock. He had family in the area….and we left early. We are sorry we didn’t get to talk to him. We both really love the boat.
Once the sun was up the interior started to warm up. By afternoon we were able to turn off the generator and heater.
As we neared the entrance to Silver Glen Springs, we saw hundreds of swallows zipping across the water. They were all over. It was a lot of fun watching them.
72 degree water felt like bath water….so we took one…
We launched the dingy and did a bit of cruising to get the saltwater out of the engine.
We buttoned up and settled in for the night.
Another early day….the wind is bitter cold…the coldest yet…but we were snug in the sleeper last night…a bit nippy on the trip through the cockpit to the head or galley (heat the birds water bottle) but cozy under the covers.
The current was against us but not too bad…the wind at our backs. It was good running even though the river was rough all day.
We looked up….and guess who is coming….
He gave us a shout….the boat’s name is Sparks. …and is headed for Palatka…that’s twice he’s passed us….great looking boat. He’s going to be at the anchorage before us…..must be nice to have a fast boat. Perhaps we’ll get to visit with him before we leave in the morning.
Supposed to be 30 tonight….
We got up early and headed up the ICW towards Jacksonville. We had a bit of current against us most of the way…but once into the St Johns River we started getting a push and it lasted well past Jacksonville. The current can be a bit of a problem in that area with all the bridges and the ocean entrance etc. Our timing was right for once.
As we were headed into Jacksonville…the sailboat from the anchorage passed us. Wonder where he’s headed?
The Pelicans must think we are a fishing boat. They keep following us. This one cruised up to the front of the boat and looked in at me as if to see if I had any fish.
We’ve seen several flocks of white Pelicans but they usually sat in a bunch like these.
We got into Doctors Lake around 4 pm so went to Whiteys Fish Camp for supper…then back to the anchorage in Mill Cove. All totaled we did 65 miles today.
A bit of wind on the lake tonight…like being in a cradle…should be good sleeping.
We managed to stay warm last night. Generator is doing it’s job. We have a sailboat on either side of us. The Nonsuch has a starter problem and moved to a dock with electric. The other boat cant get his generator started this morning.
We had perfect morning to leave the dock..no current or wind. Jim did a great job backing out….then he opened the window and told me he needed me to go to the rear and fend us off another boat…he had no “forward”. The owner came out an helped me tie up to the dock so Jim could check out the problem……shift cable casing came apart…..he made a repair…everything working again..but we are heading back to the house. I’ll feel better with a new cable…and with all this unseasonable cold…we should check out the place…we don’t winterize like we did in the N. When we left the heat pump wasn’t working up to par…they aren't very efficient in the deep cold…but turns out it is low on coolant….
when we went through St Augustine they were shooting the cannon and this ship was cruising by.
Jim was hoping they were going to shoot back…that would have been a bit of realism.
This fishing boat was coming in from the ocean.
We are heading to the anchorage behind Pine Island. We wont make it before sundown…Look at this beautiful sunset.
The sailboat that shared the anchorage with us a few days ago is here also.
COLD last night but the generator lasted all night with the small heater…we are going to try the larger one tonight….hope it runs at least 10 hrs. It puts out more heat….but uses more fuel in the generator…
Had a nice visit with my daughter, Tammy and my granddaughter, Shaina. My Great-grandson, Matthew, was having a great time showing off on his electric 4 wheeler. He was so busy watching us watch him …he kept forgetting to steer. 2….wow..never had toys like that as a child…ever!!!
It is COLD again tonight!
We had a good night at anchor in the run at St Augustine. Christmas lights lit up the city waterfront….fireworks off and on all evening and another big display at midnight to welcome in the New Year.
We were up at 6…had our coffee and left just before sunrise…cloudy and light drizzle off and on all the way to Palm Coast. About 15 minutes before we got to the marina it really started to blow and rain….(just like it did the last time we stayed here a year ago).
One of the dock hands came out and helped us tie up. Opened the engine compartment for some heat and Jim rigged up the generator for extended run. No electric at our dock….price is better…and they didn’t have a slip with electric that we could fit in.
If the weather cooperates we will get to spend some time with my daughter, Tammy, grand-daughter, Shaina, and great-grandson Matthew. It’s about a 15 minute walk to their place…but not in a thunderstorm.
