Nov 26, 2011
St Augustine...again!
We came through here last year and stayed a week. This trip it's only overnight and we won't even go ashore. hanging on a mooring ball. It's a great deal at $20.20 per night. The trip was 61 miles and went faster than we expected. We actually had the current almost the entire trip here. At the top speed we registered 11mph coming toward the St Augustine Inlet. We tied up to the ball by 3:30 then sat and relaxed....and watched 4-5 boats try to cross an area that has shoaled and run aground! Peter tried to warn a few on VHF but they did not respond. It's not fun to run aground but especially so when there is an audience! Luckily everyone was able to back off the mud and free themselves. Getting dark now at 5:30PM so we will have to think about dinner.
Nov 25, 2011
Fernandina Harbor Marina
Our plan was to leave St Mary, GA and travel to St Augustine today. Unfortunately we realized it was 70 miles and the currents and tides would not let us go that far before dark. You do not want to travel the ICW in the dark. So we waited in St Mary's until after high tide, 9:30 AM, so we could get off the dock easily. there is up to a 4k current to work against. Our dock mates, Mick and Tony from Australia, pushed off just before us. They are headed outside to Ft Lauderdale. Their boat cannot travel inside due to mast height. Eventually they will go through the Panama Canal and cross the Pacific to Australia.
We left the dock next without any difficulties. The trip out the St Mary's River was right at high tide and the current was with us so the first 6 miles or so were very easy.
As Ahquabi continued out the river we turned to starboard to head south toward Fernandina Beach. The outgoing tide caught up with us and we quickly went from 8mph to 2mph. The entire trip, about 8 miles took us 2.5 hours. This was our first time on this part of the ICW since 2009. Two years ago we spent Thanksgiving here and remembered well the paper plants. Back then we said, never again, but here we are!
We will leave at first light, about 6:30AM, and with the rising tide to travel the 60 miles to St Augustine.
There is a rocket launch tomorrow morning at 10AM so we should clearly see it.
 |
| Ahquabi leaving to dock |
 |
| Safe travels to Australia! |
We left the dock next without any difficulties. The trip out the St Mary's River was right at high tide and the current was with us so the first 6 miles or so were very easy.
As Ahquabi continued out the river we turned to starboard to head south toward Fernandina Beach. The outgoing tide caught up with us and we quickly went from 8mph to 2mph. The entire trip, about 8 miles took us 2.5 hours. This was our first time on this part of the ICW since 2009. Two years ago we spent Thanksgiving here and remembered well the paper plants. Back then we said, never again, but here we are!
We will leave at first light, about 6:30AM, and with the rising tide to travel the 60 miles to St Augustine.
There is a rocket launch tomorrow morning at 10AM so we should clearly see it.
 |
| Paper plant |
 |
| Boats from Monrovia and Nassau loading up |
 |
| The American Cruise Line now comes to Fernandina harbor Marina |
Thanksgiving in St Mary's
Thanksgiving in St Mary's Georgia was an experience. Two years ago when coming south on the ICW we stayed at Fernandina Harbor Marina for thanksgiving and had 5 guests aboard. This year since we were moving the boat anyway we decided to try St Mary's. We arrived on Saturday and took a space at the face dock with a view of the harbor. We could watch all the boats coming and going. At a rate of .75 per foot per day it was the best bargain!
The morning was busy. Jane made a sweet potato casserole...island style with rum and coconut milk. She then made a port wine cranberry sauce and Peter made his traditional trifle dessert. That took most of the morning. By 11AM we sat down to take a breather but ended up watching a mess in the harbor. The wind was blowing 25 and gusting to 30-35 against the outgoing tidal current. It created a maelstrom where the anchored boats were not laying to their anchor but bouncing around in all different directions. Some boats dragged anchor and many others simply moved to different locations because they were bouncing too close to other boats. This lasted a good part of the next 3-4 hours. There were probably many who did not leave their boat to come ashore for dinner.
We left our boat about 12:15 and quickly found a table spot then joined the line. We had all of our traditional foods available, just not really hot, but nice. We sat with the father and son, Mick and Tony, who are sailing their boat back to Australia. It turned out to be a lovely day but we did miss our family in New Hampshire.
 |
| We dressed ship in the morning |
 |
| Peter had to tie off the wind generator so it would not tear our flags! |
The morning was busy. Jane made a sweet potato casserole...island style with rum and coconut milk. She then made a port wine cranberry sauce and Peter made his traditional trifle dessert. That took most of the morning. By 11AM we sat down to take a breather but ended up watching a mess in the harbor. The wind was blowing 25 and gusting to 30-35 against the outgoing tidal current. It created a maelstrom where the anchored boats were not laying to their anchor but bouncing around in all different directions. Some boats dragged anchor and many others simply moved to different locations because they were bouncing too close to other boats. This lasted a good part of the next 3-4 hours. There were probably many who did not leave their boat to come ashore for dinner.
We left our boat about 12:15 and quickly found a table spot then joined the line. We had all of our traditional foods available, just not really hot, but nice. We sat with the father and son, Mick and Tony, who are sailing their boat back to Australia. It turned out to be a lovely day but we did miss our family in New Hampshire.
 |
| Seaview Hotel who provides turkey and ham. |
 |
| Yum! A feast for Thanksgiving! |
Nov 23, 2011
Out and About in St Mary's Georgia
This is a charming little town which is just right for a few days visit. You just have to deal with the no see ums every morning!
 |
| Waterfront park |
 |
| Beautiful fountain! |
 |
| Main Street |
 |
| Submarine museum King's Bay Submarine Station is just a few miles north |
 |
| Main Street gift shop |
 |
| The Blue Goose Wine & Coffee shop |
 |
| Office building |
 |
| Main Street Inn |
 |
| Main Street Catholic church....not in use anymore. used for meetings, I think. Beautifully preserved |
Jekyll Island to St Mary, Georgia
 |
| Dawn in St. Mary's |
We arrived at St Mary's, Georgia on Saturday after a uneventful four or five hour run on the ICW. Since we first traveled down the Ditch(ICW) we were warned by many boaters to avoid transiting through Georgia at all costs. We did not heed their advice and we have cruised through with some stress but no problems. You do have to be alert at all times and follow the markers and your charts diligently at all times.
A Canadian couple in a small Non-Such(type of boat), decided to overtake us, which did not make me feel too happy, but shortly after passing they decided to cut some red markers and came to a sudden stop when they ran aground on a shoal. I don't need to tell you how I felt as we passed by on the correct side of the markers. Not long after we passed they backed off and got underway again only to put the pedal to the metal and zip by us once more to make sure they got to St Mary's before us. Just as an addendum to the story, we could have blown their socks off if we had cranked up the engine just another rev or two but we were in no rush and decided to let them feel good and superior to us lowly Americans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again we experienced the power of our armed forces on our way down the sound. We passed a Nuclear Submarine base with huge hangers and one Submarine tied up to the dock. needless to say security was high and we slid on by as quickly as possible. For those of you who have followed our blog on previous occasions you remember the stories and pictures about Cumberland Island. As we passed this time we only saw one wild horse on the shore.
As promised the week in St.Mary's is living up to expectations. Each evening at 5:30 happy hour is held at the local hotel. 4 draft beers for $5, and we all bring snacks to share. The town provides transportation to the grocery store etc. so Jane has made a few trips to stock up for Thanksgiving. She is making sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce and I am making a trifle for desert. The turkey and ham will be provided by the town and everything else provided by boaters.
The boating community is very diverse here. Of course there are many Canadian boats but there are also boats from England, Australia and New Zealand joining all of us Americans preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving together. We will miss our family but we wish them and all our friends a very happy and peaceful Thanksgiving.
Nov 18, 2011
Google Map
We will update the Google map again with our location and decsription. This trip will be in blue starting in Brunswick, GA. Just click on "Where is Kinvara" at the top of the page.
Nov. 18 Jekyll Island
The last time we were here with Jim and Leslie Hamrick via car. Little did we know we would be back by boat. Kinvara was ready to go and so were the captain and admiral! Last night Jim and Leslie stopped by for an evening cocktail and a sad parting. The problem with cruising is meeting new friends and keeping in touch but also having to say bye!
Well, we didn't get too far from Brunswick.
The wind of last night persisted throughout the night and was full blown 20-25K by this morning. We did not want to stay but did not want to chance crossing St Andrew's sound in NE winds gusting to 30mph. After checking the chart we decided to leave by noontime. this put us travelling through Jeckyll Creek at high tide. This is a real trouble spot for many deeper draft boats so a rising tide, going slow, and paying attention to the depth finder is essential. We left Brunswick fighting the tide and the wind. Crossing the St Simon sound was a healthy ride but not uncomfortable. We only motored for apx. 1.5 hours and now are safely tucked into the Jekyll Creek Marina for the night. Our travelling companions, Connie and Al from Canada followed us and decided to stop also. So we have a short trip to St Mary's tomorrow so we will have a leisurely morning and leave here again at mid tide, apx. 11:00-11:30 and arrive by mid afternoon.
Now if we can find someone to fix our diesel heater we will be happy cruisers. Tonight it will dip down to 49'. It's just a little bit too chilly for our taste.
 |
| Jekyll Island club from the water. Where the Federal Reserve was "born". |
 |
| Our dinner location with Jim and Leslie Hamrick when we were here by car! |
Well, we didn't get too far from Brunswick.
The wind of last night persisted throughout the night and was full blown 20-25K by this morning. We did not want to stay but did not want to chance crossing St Andrew's sound in NE winds gusting to 30mph. After checking the chart we decided to leave by noontime. this put us travelling through Jeckyll Creek at high tide. This is a real trouble spot for many deeper draft boats so a rising tide, going slow, and paying attention to the depth finder is essential. We left Brunswick fighting the tide and the wind. Crossing the St Simon sound was a healthy ride but not uncomfortable. We only motored for apx. 1.5 hours and now are safely tucked into the Jekyll Creek Marina for the night. Our travelling companions, Connie and Al from Canada followed us and decided to stop also. So we have a short trip to St Mary's tomorrow so we will have a leisurely morning and leave here again at mid tide, apx. 11:00-11:30 and arrive by mid afternoon.
 |
| Pretzel's new "digs". She has to be on the floor now because she at risk of falling in her older years. |
 |
| A shrimp boat which passed WAY TOO CLOSE in the narrow Jeckyll River! |
Now if we can find someone to fix our diesel heater we will be happy cruisers. Tonight it will dip down to 49'. It's just a little bit too chilly for our taste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)