Three Day Update

Monday morning we left Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville, Fl about 7 am with absolutely calm water. (See pic below). Shortly after we left, we saw the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville on the west bank...makes us feel better knowing that quality health care is always nearby. About 10 miles further south we entered the Pine Valley Cut. This is a 10 mile section with high-rise condos, houses and boat docks on the east and beautifully wild and wooded area on the west. I hope I can upload some pictures from this area.

A little further on we came on a sailboat that had run aground. The man couldn't row his dingy out to get a line and we couldn't move in close enough to throw him one. Three other boats slowed and tried to assist. The tide was at low slack so none of us could get to them. One captain told him that he was familiar with his boat and that it was safer to wait for the tide than for us to try to pull him off. We left them sitting on the bottom waiting for the incoming tide. But it was encouraging to see so many people willing to assist.

Monday night we had dinner (outside on a patio) with our friends from Asheville. It was great sitting outside in Dec having dinner. We were on a mooring bouy so Phil had to row us in to the shore. Easy going in because it was still daylight but going back we only had the moonlight and a few boats with anchor lights to guide us. He did a great job of taking directly to our boat.

Tuesday was a down day because Sailors Exchange wasn't open on Monday. As it turned out that was perfect because Phil had come down with a sinus infection and needed the down time. Fortunately, we had a Z-pak on board so he didn't have to see a doctor. He's feeling much better today.

As we were walking to the consignment shop, I heard someone calling to us. The Swiss family that we met in Green Pond, SC were behind us also headed to the consignment shop. That was a blessing because they knew exactly what we needed and helped us find the right anchor. Then a very nice gentlemen offered us a ride back to the marina. Not sure Phil could have carried that 45 pound anchor back that far (about 2 miles).

We fell in love with St. Augustine and plan to spend some time there on the way back home in the spring.

This morning we knew we had a short run so we lazed around until 8 before leaving. We were making great time until our GPS said that we were running down US 1 instead of the ICW. Turned out the data card stopped at St. Augustine so we had to “feel” our way to Palm Coast. After talking to Garmin, and finding out it would be Monday before we could get a new data card, we decided to buy a new GPS already loaded for the entire US. However, the nearest place to buy one is in Daytona. So tomorrow we have to navigate 25-30 mile with no GPS. Then we have we figure out how to connect the new one. Oh well, just another chapter in our continuing adventure.

Having trouble again uploading pictures so I hope there'll be something for you to see.

Beautiful reflections on flat, calm water.

This was the first landmark we saw as we neared St. Augustine.

This one is just for Dustin and Patrick. This was on a putt-putt golf course at the St. Augustine City Marina.