And on we go..

A lot has happened since our last post. After Fernandina Beach, we set off for St. Augustine. We made it just before dark and was able to get our anchor set. Not so good for our fellow traveling companions. They arrived at the same time, but the anchorage had been turned into a city owned mooring field and space was limited. They had gone a little too far past the 6 ft depth and wound up going aground. Our solo sailor was able to get off with the help of a towing service, but our friend on the Cheoy Lee were hard aground on the sand bar. The tide at St. Augustine is quite severe, and when it went out, they were 45 degrees heeled over on the bar. We were helpless to assist them as we could have gotten stuck as well. It is not good feeling helpless, but they were at least safe. The tide came in and they were able to get to the mooring field for the night. When we checked the tide the next am, it was predicted more severe, so we got a mooring ball for two nights. We were able to have a great time touring the city, as one of our new friends had went to school there and knew her way around.

St. Augustine Marina

 Original city gates

San Marcos Fort





After several good nights rest, we set off for Daytona Beach. We anchored out and were able to have a potluck on board a Jeanneau 44, with a really great family from Quebec, as well as our two convoy friends. The next day we anchored at Titusville, just above Cape Canaveral/Kennedy. You could see the assembly building for miles and miles, and the space shuttle on it's launch pad. It's scheduled to launch Dec. 7th.. We saw places we visited on land, but from a different view.

 Daytona Beach anchorage with a surprise guest!

An osprey on top of the mast.

We crossed from Mosquito Lagoon to the Indian River through a canal that was packed with fishermen. Boats anchored everywhere with little room to maneuver. the Indian River was wide and shallow and smooth as glass. We got there at the right time. It is not a good place to be when the weather turns ugly.

Indian River

One last day of moderate winds led us to Melbourne and a marina. The winds were forecast 15-20 and building to 20-25 from the NW. Not a good time for an anchored boat. The city marina was nice, but a little overpriced. It was the only one open as the others hadn't recovered from the storms last year, so there were no choice. It would not have been smart to go farther as tired as we were.  It was half way between Titusville and Ft. Pierce, our next stop.

Ft. Pierce is the next to the last stop before we finish our journey to Stuart.  We were planning on anchoring, but our holding tank decided otherwise.  It decided to spring a leak, so we needed to stop for a pump out and figured we could use another good nights sleep. We can start repairs on the holding tank, traveler and other  items in Stuart.  Dolphins are in abundance, but always gone before we can get the camera ready. Today we saw our first manatees, with one right behind the slip we are in. Of course, the camera was not ready, but there is always tomorrow.

Till our next posting, Merry Christmas to you all!