11.28.08 St Augustine, FL

Thanksgiving turned out to be a great day. We wernt able to be with family and we didnt have a feast….but there was food on the table and good friends to share it with.

We used the dingy to take Raisin to shore this morning. With the tide in we rowed right up to steps to the fort. We cruised over and snapped a few shots of this MacGregor 26X…Takes Two…we used to have one.  By the time we got back, Larry and Diane were ready to dingy to the marina and hike into town and the Sailors Exchange.  Fairly good walk.  Got what we needed there and then another hike to West Marine. Larry & Diane left a few minutes ahead of us…went the wrong way…except it turned out to be the right way….as he was checking his GPS to see where to go a very nice man offered them a ride.  Then he waited and drove us all back to the Marina.  Sometimes in life….the wrong turn can be the right one. I love this hat.

Back to the boat to check on the dog and bird and get the stuff put away. Jim is working on his new steering wheel and installing a new ship to shore radio. Ours wasnt getting out. We could hear but not be heard.

This cruise ship was passing by.

Guess we are going to spend another night here. We still havnt been over to the fort. Too much to see. It’s a nice town.

11.27.08 Happy Thanksgiving…we have been blessed.

A beautiful sunset last night and then a fabulous sunrise. We got an early start since the current was going our way…we use less fuel if we can get a gentle push. Had it almost all the way to St Augustine. We anchored by the fort and were there in time to see them shoot the cannons. Got our laundry done…had a quick meal then back to the boat. The city was lit up for Christmas and was beautiful at night. I even saw 3 horse and carriages taking folks thru the city for a tour.

11.26.08 ICW

This boat passed us on the ICW. The gentleman stepped out and waved as he passed. We were impressed with small amount of wake it created when he went by. Saw several dolphins but unable to get the camera out in time. Our anchorage for the night is by marker G39. We are just a short ways out of the channel. The sunset was beautiful. and it kept getting better.

11.26.08 Lamb’s marina, Ortega River, FL

I forgot to mention ..on 11.24.08….we paid $2.85 a gallon for diesel at Lamb’s Marina on the Ortega River.  Gas was $3.10.

11.26.08 handy little gadget

Diane bought one for their boat and one for ours.  I was a bit skeptical at first but it is great!!! Since we have no oven aboard we dont bake anything…or we didnt until now. I’ve only used it a couple of times.  Baked biscuits one morning…to go with the sausage I cooked in it.  This morning was biscuits and a ham and cheese omelet.  Diane came over to watch movies, night before last, and brought with her, a chocolate cake she had made in it. You get 2 halves of a 1 layer cake…save the rest of the batter for a night or two later.  It runs off our inverter so I can use it while underway. Spray with a little Pam and nothing sticks..cleanup is a simple job.   THANKS DIANE!!!!!!!!!!!

11.25.08 Heading into Jacksonville, Fl

Kinda lumpy on the river today. But still a nice ride. Sun is warm. We can see Jacksonville in the distance. We are going to go up the Ortega River and anchor for the night. Saw some beautiful boats. I’m partial to sailboats. We’ll anchor and dream…

11.24.08 Black Creek, FL

Left our anchorage on Deep Creek…once into the wide part of the river the fog set in. It’s the first chance we’ve had to use our radar, other than just to practice. Every now and then River Nomad would disappear into the fog but we always knew right where he was. We didnt see any sign of other boats but it picked up the markers. Once the fog lifted, it turned out to be a nice day. Got so warm inside (85) we had to open the side curtains. Spent some time at Green Cove Springs checking out all the boats at anchor. Looks like there are a lot of liveaboards. Many have their cars right on the dock near their boats. I was so busy with the video camera, I forgot to take any stills.

We cruised a ways up Black River. Found a spot to anchor near a bridge.

We’ll be heading to Jacksonville today.