Jacksonville, FL to St Augustine, FL

This morning had to be well planned. We had to pass through a lift bridge, which wouldn't open until 8:30AM, and we had to time the current in the St John's River.  Well we were off the dock and under the bridge by 9AM, moving through the last of the incoming current (against us), into slack tide 2 miles later, and enjoyed riding the current out on the river.  When we reached the Intracoastel Waterway we still had current with us for a little way.  Along the way we enjoyed watching a pod of dolphins jumping out of the water, a bald eagle standing on a riverside pole, and about 6 flocks of geese flying south.  In the ICW we were at low to low tide almost all the way to St Augustine.  The main depths varied from 4' to 10' at low tide for us but it was a nervous 36 mile trip not knowing how low it would go.  Last year we only travelled at mid to high tide. We were happy it was not a full moon low tide!  We have never seen the water so low in the ICW.  We kept our speed up to at least 6K using our small jib on and off when we could.  It worked out in the end since we made the last lift bridge (just before our marina) for the 4:30PM opening. Otherwise we would have waited until 5:30 for the next opening.  After arriving at our slip and tying up we put up our cockpit enclosures just before a torrential rain storm. Thank goodness for that!! It really helped us stay dry. 

Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium.....Superbowl 2010



LOVE THESE LITTLE TUG BOATS!

Here comes the Xmas gifts from abroad!!



Low tide along the ICW