12.03.08 just cruising

We felt as though we were in a boat parade most of the day. We must have been passed by a dozen or more sailboats and several trawlers…all headed S. This was just one of many. Our weather is getting much warmer.

12.02.08

We spent the night at anchor….not really restful…sometime during the night the wind picked up and a cold rain hit….I noticed the dingy doing a dance…and we didnt want a repeat of it flipping again so Jim went out…hauled it to the rear and removed the motor. As soon as he went out the rain really started to fall….quit after he got back in. Our timing with rain hasn’t been the best.  Larry and Diane had anchored ahead of us in 4’ of water…then let out anchor line until they were alongside and we tied up for the night. So we checked to make sure all lines were secure…then back to bed and a peaceful night.

The next morning they unrafted from us and hauled themselves up to the anchor….and into a sand bank. The tide had gone down 2’….Larry used the dingy to take his anchor to deep water but couldnt budge the boat…so he took a line from us and we towed him off.  We’re even…both have been aground and towed…one to one…hope the count stays that way, but with the tidal ranges out here…I’m not very optimistic.

11.30.08 beautiful sunset

Had a peaceful night at anchor…guess everyone went home…thank God!!  We had a beautiful sunset I spotted this boathouse.  It was big enough for us to live in. We called my daughter, Tammy, when we got near G109 in Palm Coast.  It was getting pretty windy and a storm was brewing. Heard there was a tornado warning in Oviedo, where we live, but heard later it had passed with no trouble.

It has been an eventful day on the water.  Lots of big….go fast boats…that pass at high speed…big wakes…in a narrow channel…giving you no time to recover before the next one went roaring past.  We anchored near Bings Landing…Larry was able to get River Nomad inside the channel. We dingied over to the dock to see Tammy & Kip. She and Kip took us to town for groceries. Jim stayed with the dingy. While we were gone…he took Raisin back to the boat. While he was aboard several boats went flying past creating huge wakes…evidently one caused the front of the dingy to lift up and the wind caught it and flipped it upside down. ….motor and all….needless to say..Jim was not a happy boater. He did manage to get it running enough to get us back to the boat. Kip called a marina, a few miles down the ICW, and got us slips for the night. As we were pulling into the marina it started to sprinkle….as we were setting the dock lines we got a cold torrential downpour. We were soaked!!!. Kip, Tammy, Shaina (my granddaughter) and my great-grandson, Matthew came aboard for a visit. Once everyone got dry clothes on, we went out to dinner. Had a great meal….good company and conversation. All in all…the day ended well.  (we’ll see how the dingy motor runs later).

Jim picked up a larger steering wheel at Sailors Exchange in St Augustine. He finally has it installed. Now he can stand and rest his hand comfortably.

11.29.08 ICW marker G71

Larry and I hiked into town for milk, alcohol (for cooking stoves), and some parts for Jim. He was working on the boat and Diane was ship-shaping theirs.

Its a fun town to visit but the anchorage is very rough. We had a great time…but were glad to haul anchor and head out. 

We found a spot that didnt look too bad but after a few big powerboats went by and almost knocked us over with their big wakes, we moved on. It’s starting to settle down a bit. Hope everyone has to get home for supper.

We are anchored at marker G71 about 10 miles N of Palm Coast. One side of the ICW is islands and water…but you can go from 15 ft to nothing in a hurry. So we are just out of the channel. The other is houses etc. Hopefully we will have a quiet night at anchor and be in Palm Coast tomorrow.

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.