More time on the island and “Hey baby, can you check me for ticks?”

Lori and I went back to Cumberland Island today. Brought our trust dog Charlie and left good old Conner sleeping on the cabin sole.

After going shore at the SeaCamp docks we walked over to the ocean side of the island.

We walked south along the beach and came across some wild horses.

Our boat has crabs and Onward to Cumberland Island

Crabs!

As we were coming into the anchorage Lori was straightening up the cabin when in the corner of her eye she thought she saw a roach, and it was a big one. Quickly moving to crush the beast she realized it was a crab. About 1.5 inches across scurrying about in the vberth. It shot down between the cushions has thus far avoided capture.

Cumberland

We are no longer in St Mary’s we are now on the hook at Cumberland Island. We feel less isolated on anchor as we now have the motor for the ding fully functional.

We were able to ding ashore and have a quick look about this afternoon. We plan on exploring more extensively in the morning.

Charlie loves the dinghy.

We returned to the boat just before sunset. A special feeling in and of itself is returning to an anchored vessel. Surreal.

Lets surf! Where did all the water go?

Traveling

Yesterday was a busy day. After a the previous night on the town we awoke a bit groggily at 5:30am. We rushed through bathing, refilling the water tanks, clean the bilge, disconnecting shore power and paying the dock master and had cast off by 7:30am.

There were about 6 boats waiting with us at the Bridge of Lions for the 7:30 opening. No one wanted to wait for the 9am opening as the bridge does not open during rush hour.

We formed a nice convoy out into the rising sun, with only 2 if us heading out to sea, the rest turned north on the ICW. Passing out the channel thru the bar was rolling but fairly smooth.

We both headed north in gently rollers, setting sail we were unhappy to find the wind very light out of the NNE instead of moderate out of the SE as forecast. We could only manage 3 to 4 knots. The other sailboat being long and much nicer soon left us far behind.

Lori had a touch of seasickness during the passage. Fortunately no cookies were tossed. However I felt it prudent to start the motor an we motor sailed at 5 knots the 30nm to Mayport.

The last 2nm or so we turned. To the NW and were able to maintain 4 knot without the incessant drone of the 2stroke OB. I wish we had a nice quiet IB diesel.

Just before entering Mayport and the St Johns river marine traffic picked up a bit. With cargo ship, trawlers, sailboats and power boats all within sight.

The wind died just before we arrived at the outer marker for the channel so back to the motor we went.

Unfortunately our timing was a bit bad and we were entering at max current on the ebb tide. Combined with river current and the ocean swell coming from the SE and it created some really nice rollers at the river mouth. We got to experience some 10 to 12 foot rollers in a 27 foot boat. A few times we would surf down a face of a wave and then wallow a bit in the trough just enough were i would loose rudder response. Fortunately no breaking waves as the channel is dredged to 50 feet. We never took on any water or spray for that matter but I was quite a roller coaster ride. No pictures as Lori was racked out with sea sickness and I was working hard to keep us in the channel.

Once in the river things smoothed out, I took down the main and we ate lunch while watching boat traffic.

Turning from the StJohns up Sisters Creek we stopped for the night at a free dock. ( than you City of Jacksonville) it is pretty here and peaceful.

Icebox?

Last night we found our icebox dry. We have no idea were all the ice and water went. One theory is the drain cracked and allowed the water out into the bilge and it was pumped overboard without us knowing. We will be purchasing more ice tonight and will endeavor to fine out. A real puzzle.

Of carts and cookies….

Yesterday we motored from Daytona Beach up here to St Augustine.

Had the advantage of the tide most of the way. I estimate it saved us 1 of 2 hours. We were averaging 6 to 7 knots surface speed even though the boat only goes 5 knots at 80% throttle. I believe that the few hours we were at 7 knots we were at .5 knot over the max hull speed of our little 27.

Out on the town

This morning we went out on the town here. This is not the first time we have been here but this little town is still a nice place to visit.

Our folding wagon was a huge hit. We must have had 3 people ask us were we bought it. Conner likes it also as he rides in style.

We ate lunch at the Spanish Bakery. Very good fresh baked goods at a good price. Hard to find as it is tucked away in a corner along ST George street. Good cookies.

Also today our companionway ladder fell off the bulkhead. A fellow cruiser was nice enough to give me a replacement screw to replace the one that worried out its hole. Thanks Rick.