Saturday, January 22, 2011

Fernandina Beach, Florida!

When we got up this morning, it was a balmy 28 degrees.  We fired up the engine, (with some more whacks from my trusty wrench!) ate some french toast, layered up, weighed the anchor, and off we sailed.  We've got to get further south...


We passed under the Jekyll Island Bridge.
It does not look like 65 ft. of vertical clearance!

Jekyll Island is a vacation home to some VERY wealthy people.
We sailed past the abandoned lighthouse of Little Cumberland Island.
Past the wild horses of Cumberland Island- I was so excited to see them!

Even Willis
came out to
the cockpit
for a look-
see (he didn't
last long :)


Past Old Fernandina Fort...in Florida!
The good news is we were ushered across the 'state line' by a dolphin playing in the wake of our dinghy.  He surface three times, and I swear we looked at each other right in the eye!  It was awesome.  I was so excited, I forgot to grab my camera :(  The bad news is when we docked, it was about 45 degrees, and the wind was blowing 10-15mph.  The good news was more diesel, a free pump out, hot showers, laundry and free WiFi.  The bad news is Donnie had his head back in the engine, this time changing the oil. 

The really good news is we are in Florida, so we're bound to hit warmer weather soon, now that all the long underwear and fleece are clean and smelling fresh :)  The plan tomorrow is to whack on the engine some more, and head south toward St. Augustine.  We hope to anchor out just north of there, then on Monday, dock at the City Marina of St. Augustine and go exploring...lots of rich history and tradition in St. Augustine.  Here's to fair winds and following seas tomorrow...
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1 comment:

  1. Bryan FosterJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Wow! Sounds like quite the adventure! Remember sailing is hours of bordome punctuated by sheer terror. One time we had just finished the Swifture race and when we checked in for our safety check the engine died. We were about to be disqualified for no means of mechanical propulsion. We had an hour! It was determined the fuel pump was bad. We took it apart and found the metal bellows in the pump had come loose. We peened it back into place with a hammer. The engine started and kept running until we were moored in Victoria's inner harbor where it died and waited for a new fuel pump.
    Fair winds and gentle seas.

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