Happy Birthday, Lana! Happy Anniversary , Kevin and Lana!!!! Happy Birthday, Molly!
Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to all those who have served our country so well.
Last night proved to be quite restless, as the thumping of the mooring ball came way to frequently with the winds and currents. We were feeling the effects of being very close to the St. Augustine Inlet open to the Atlantic. Ed called on the phone, and after a quick conference, it was decided that we would move on for a very short day to the peace and security of the newly opened Marineland Marina, only $1.00 a foot with free washer and dryer(funny, the things that become so important…)!! After a very twisty passage we arrived here to be assisted by the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable dock attendant we've met so far. He must have been a marine biology major and was full of info on the local ecology and marine research programs. Marineland is not what the Captain remembers from 50 years ago when he was last here as a boy. It is much more a marine research resource with wonderful walking paths along the ocean side and a dolphin adventure facility where you can experience a quick program of touching and feeding the dolphins to more interactive experiences like swimming with them.
Being here allows us to be plugged in and have all the electricity we need to use the computer, send emails, watch TV or movies, or bake in the oven without things rocking and rolling, wash down the outside of the sea salt encrusted boat and enclosure, etc…. all the fun things that become the day's little luxuries.
This is an ICW stopover that is much like the Dismal Swamp stopover on Route 17…..this one with highway Route A1A running between the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Waterway on the other. It is a lovely treat to be able to take a short walk from one to the other.
11/10/11
Morning found us rested and waiting for the pump out boat which punctually services the mooring balls on call. After this practical chore was accomplished we lowered the dinghy to go in to explore the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental USA, St. Augustine. In 1565, fifty five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, St. Augustine was founded. As soon as we landed the dingy we met up with Finistere's Ed and Pat Land and headed to Castillo de San Marcos, the ominous fort that stood guard as we waited in front of the Bridge of Lions the afternoon before. Construction of this fort began in 1672 by the Spanish to defend their claim in the new world. It is build of native coquina stone which could actually absorb cannon balls shot into it. This fort is magnificently restored and maintained in contrast to the smaller English Fort Frederica which we visited just a few days ago… We learned so much about our nation's early history as it came alive while visiting both of these forts.
Next, we decided to get a good overview of the old city by taking a carriage ride around historical St. Augustine…We did learn and see a lot, but I think it was not worth the money. Continuing our tour on foot we were impressed with the distinctive Spanish architecture, a definite change from the southern mansions of Charleston and more English influences of Beaufort. This has been a whirlwind of unbelievable glimpses into the past for me, and I can't quite believe I am seeing all this from our 'Home on the water, CAVU"!
As clouds started rolling in along with another cold front, we decided to dinghy back to the boat for the evening. Soon after, the winds and currents made us very glad we had decided to return to the safety and coziness of dinner in the cockpit of CAVU.
On 11/9/11 we passed under the Bridge of Lions with strong wind and current after a 25 minute wait, pulled into a stiff wind up to the fuel dock for a "fill up" and then went to our assigned mooring ball #57. All this might sound simple to the uninitiated, but I always feel victorious after accomplishing these necessities, particularly in adverse conditions. Each fuel dock is a little different and each mooring is potentially different. The fuel docking this time required us to back out to deal with current, wind and other boats. The mooring ball had a pennant that I needed to thread….This particular ball had the mooring line neatly curled on the top which oddly enough made it harder to pick up. I have become too accustomed to picking up the the slimy ones that just hang in the water at Annapolis. However, all that said, another victory for the "first mate" for it was grabbed successfully with the boat hook, the line threaded and cleated, ready for Capt. Ron finish up with the "cross over" to the other cleat over and around the bow. It was 3:45 in the afternoon, time to sit back and enjoy a quiet afternoon in front of the famed St. Augustine. We were safely harbored in what, I believe, is a fairly new mooring field that is the biggest one I've seen so far on this trip. Many boats are here to wait out the weather… The night proved to be interesting as the ball bumped up against the boat with every current/tide change. Knowing that we were safely tied to a mooring helped us sleep better in spite of the high winds. The moon rising over the lighthouse on such a clear night was a glorious sight and as the current swung us around, we could see "Old Glory" on the shoreline waving in the bright moonlight.
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