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.

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.

11.24.08 Chair

I have been searching for a chair that I could see from. My sister, JoAnne, gave me this one to try. It is very stable..but I would be standing if it were really rough anyways.  When we get back we’ll sand and stain it to match the wood interior. It is perfect!!!! Very comfortable and I can sit up and see everything. Thanks, Joanne!!!

11.23.08 Welcome to sunny Florida

It is 7:30 in the morning…temp around 41 degrees.  We did a quick row to an uprooted tree stump so Raisin could take care of business. Beautiful sunrise. The spanish moss just over the water, looks like icicles. The sun is shinning inside now and we are warming up a bit. A bowl of hot oatmeal sure tastes good on a cold morning. 

11.22.08 Welaka, FL

We started the day with a walk to “Shrimp R us”. Everyone had a good breakfast at a reasonable price. I had the BEST sausage gravy & biscuits, that I have ever had.  After good coffee and food we hiked a couple of blocks to the Maritime Museum. You wont believe the boats inside. Andrew’s uncle started this and built all the boats. A couple of them will be in the Steam Boat parade on Dec 13. Andrew makes wooden vases. The technique was taught to him by his Uncle. He made all of these except the ones with a stand. They are made with bits of wood…similar to the way this boat is made. I believe his Uncle used all his left over bits to make the vases.There is one at the entrance, that his Uncle made… that may be the biggest wooden vase. It sat in the Smithsonian Museum for 4 years. His cousin owns the museum and builds boats . It is a talented family. If you like wooden boats…you dont want to miss this one. It’s only a couple of blocks from the Welaka free dock, straight up the road…cross rt 309 and it’s on the L.  A right on 309 will take you to the restaurant.

11.22.08 Chilly morning

It was still pretty windy when we got to the dock last night. Larry got help from a gentleman who was fishing and then they both gave us a hand getting in. Once we were securely in our slips, we cleaned up and headed up to Cafe Bleu. You can see it over the top of River Nomad, Larry’s boat. The green building with the docks. If you want some great food…make sure you stop there. I had “Pasta Basilica w\shrimp”….wonderful!!  You get a personal service from Roxy and Bleu that you just dont get in most places these days. Very nice people. We really enjoyed our time there. We’ll definately be stopping there again.

11.21.08 Silver Glen & crossing Lake George

Cool morning…lots of fog on the springs. I was up about 6 am and rowing Raisin to shore. Dropped her off and got the cameras.  I spent an hour rowing around waiting for the sun to come up and enjoying the wildlife. One spectacular Bald Eagle sat and watched me. If you look close in the next picture , in the trees over the bow rail on our boat, is the Eagle. Once the sun topped the trees the fog lifted and it warmed up. We were anchored in about 3 1/2 ft of water with only a few inches below our keel. The water is so clear.  Only got down to 48 deg last night. Not too bad. We took our time getting things put away and then headed up Lake George to Salt River Run Springs.  The wind was kicking the lake up pretty good and we were headed directly into it…kinda like riding a rocking horse.  Diane was driving and hollered “ridem’ cowgirl”. She was having a blast. We ran aground just past the 2 bouys going into Salt River…With Diane driving and Larry controling the tow line we got pulled off. Guess we wont be doing Salt Springs till the water is back up….so headed to Welaka and the free dock, for the night.

11.20.08

Up early…37 degrees outside…not much warmer inside, but we were comfortable down below in the sleeper berth. I got up at 6 am and made coffee. That helped warm up the forward cabin. You could see your breath in the cockpit.  Jim got up and started the engine. While it was running we used the electric heater. After he shut if off he opened the engine compartment and the heat off the engine helped warm up the cockpit. A few minutes later the sun topped the trees and we started to warm up quickly. A bowl of hot oatmeal got the insides warmed up too.

My sister had offered me a pair of gloves and I didnt bring them…sure could have used them on the oars while rowing Raisin ashore at 6am.

We cruised up Blue Creek. Crossed Lake George with a nice flat ride. Larry , Diane & River Nomad make a pretty picture. We are anchored in Silver Glen Springs.. freezing this morning and swimming this afternoon.

Larry got into shallow water at the springs so Jim towed him back to raft up with us. I should have had the movie camera. It was a riot. Jim was zig zagging all over trying to keep everything in a straight line.  They finally got along side and tied together.

Jim and I decided to take the dingy for a ride and just then a small plane came cruising thru. I guess he buzzes the springs and if it isnt too busy he lands on the lake and takes a ride around the channel. We’ve seen him in here before.  Naturally I didnt have the camera with me.

We’ll spend the night here. We hope sitting in 72 degree water will make it a bit warmer tonight.

11.19.08 Hontoon Island, FL

We spent the night at Hontoon Island. It was supposed to get real cold so the electric heater sounded good. Got down to 41 deg.  much warmer than we had expected. We saw this unique boat docked across from us and had to take a look.  They were very friendly people, and we got a tour. He built the boat himself.  They trailered to CT from CA…are going to fly out of Sanford, FL to CT to get the truck and trailer and head back to CA for the holidays.

We got a late start so will be anchoring behind G3…one of our favorite small islands..I think they call it Shell Island.

11.18.08 Launched at Lake Monroe Pk. FL

We were able to get a fairly early start.  Left the house about 10.45.  Air was cool but the sun warm. Perfect for the 20 or so trips up and down that ladder with the last of the clothing and food stuffs. We tied up to the dock and waited while Carl and Jim took the 2 trucks and trailers back to the house.

11.13.08 finishing touches

Jim has finished installing the storage box on the swim platform. It will hold the stern anchor in one compartment, a box with the dingy anchor and other stuff needed, and a 2 1/2 gal gas can.He also added a  couple of chocks for the dingy to rest on.  The ropes will hold it in place while underway. When we put the dingy in the water we can loop them under the outer corners of the swim platform  and secure them to the rail. That way they’ll be out of the way for loading. This photo shows how the dingy rides…the orange lifejackets are replaced with the chocks. It will make launching and retrieving much easier.

11.11.08 side curtains off for cleaning & poliglow

Up early this morning..stripped all the canvas off except the bimini. Scrubbed her down..rescrubbed with poliprep...then put several coats of Poliglow on. She's looking much better. We still have a bit left so we can cover all the spots we missed. A lot of work, but it should be a lot easier to keep clean. The river smile washed right off.