Since completing the Loop, we have been busy on the home front. We spent the summer getting our home ready to sell. Twenty-two years in one place means lots of accumulation. Much of that accumulation is good. Memories, mainly. Amanda worked herself into the ground trying to sort and sift the “stuff”. If I could have helped her, she still wouldn’t have let me. It was important to her to touch everything and make rational, non-emotional decisions. I worked on the house itself, making tons of minor repairs from wood replacement to driveway sections. Had to sub out a few things beyond my skill set, but by November, the house and yard looked great. We listed the house with our friend Joe Dyer and 7 days later, we were under contract. While the house prep was going on, we were also looking for our new home. We closed on our new home before we had a contract on our existing, but it all worked out. We survived the move and will probably be unpacking and organizing for months to come. With the “home “work behind us, we scheduled our next boat trip. The goal is to spend a month in the Keys and 2 months in the Bahamas. We hope Covid will be cooperative this year and allow it to happen. We’re grateful for the opportunities to travel and enjoy our retirement, knowing so many have problems MUCH BIGGER than ours. How this little adventure turns out, is yet to be determined.
Day 1–February 7
Delegal Creek–Ossabaw Sound–St. Catherine Sound–Sapelo Sound–Altamaha Sound.
Having finished the Loop on June 7, 2020, our 8-month landlubber sabbatical has finally ended. After a number of frustrations getting boat repairs, all issues (that we know of) were resolved on Saturday, the 6th. Ben helped me get it put together Saturday morning and we did a sea trial up Delegal Creek (I guess it was a creek trial, technically) to be sure all was holding well. Our Democratic friends will be disappointed that we did not get rid of our generator and engine and install solar panels this year. Once all the new jobs are created by the solar industry and there’s no more diesel fuel, we will make the improvement to our little mobile home (boat).
We pushed our 40-mile plan to 53 to close the gap on the late (later than planned) start date. We have an appointment at a boatyard in Stuart, Florida, for a bottom job. No plastic surgeons will be involved; we simply need to put a coat of paint on Honey Queen’s bottom. We left small paint deposits on sandbars along our last 6,000 plus mile trip. So it’s time. With our appointment on 15 February, we are pushing to be in Stuart on the 14th.
After crossing 4 sounds and some really shallow water, we made it to our first anchorage, called Wally’s Leg, near St. Simon’s Island. With a nip in the air, the skies were clear; we enjoyed the stars for 5 minutes before going in and literally pulling the covers up over our head to stay warm.
Day 2–February 8
Wally’s Leg—St. Simon’s Sound—St. Andrew’s Sound—Cumberland Island—St. Mary’s Inlet—Fernandina—Sister’s Creek/Jacksonville
We pushed again, covering 63 (nautical) miles, 20 miles farther than the original plan. Sister’s Creek is a free city marina. Though no electrical or water connections, it does provide a secure place to tie lines and helps us sleep a little better, not having to be concerned about a dragging anchor.
Recovery of the toppled cargo ship loaded with new vehicles at St Simon’s continues.
Not a great picture, but the eagles are always a highlight.
We saw so few on the Loop and were surprised to see 3 so close to home.
Day 3–February 9
Sister’s Creek—Pablo Creek—Palm Coast
Our early start from Sister’s Creek was delayed 3 hours, thanks to the fog.
We rose early at Sister’s Creek, ready to attack the day. The fogged rolled in at daybreak, so we sat for 3 hours before leaving. Assuming it would be impossible to make our 53-mile plan, we agreed we would go as far as safely possible and call it a day. With a little help from the tides, we made better than expected time. We decided to push to Palm Coast City Marina, though it would be after dark. We called and they assured us someone would be there to direct us to our spot and catch our lines. A live-aboard couple did meet us and gave us a hand, as promised. Rosine, the dock master at the marina is a cordial professional and we appreciate the work she and her staff do for folks like us.
Day 4–February 10
Palm Coast—Flagler’s Beach—Daytona—New Smyrna Beach
We woke again to fog, it cleared, we took off. Ten minutes later, we ran into another wall of fog. We puttered at 3 knots for several miles, with visibility sometimes as little as 50 yards. Usually, crab traps are such a pain when navigating, but this morning, they were my friend. Spaced along the edge of the channel of the ICW, I was able to keep one of them in view most of the time. Them, and my radar, got us safely through the fog. Two more times, as we travelled, we ran into fog. But visibility was bearable and we kept moving. We covered 38 miles (our shortest since leaving) and arrived in NSB just after 4 pm.
More fog….today 3 times.
This is just another channel marker, but this particular one is where I got my first driving lesson. Our training captain taught me how to “kiss the dock” by driving the boat up to this marker.
John and Karen DeYoung, friends we made last year south of Chicago, have a home in NSB. They came by and picked us up at the marina and we had a walk on the beach and then dinner at The Garlic, a fabulous Italian restaurant. It was fun to catch up with them, continue our friendship, and look forward to our next visit with them…somewhere.
Day 5–February 11
NSB—Indian River—Edgewater—Titusville—Cocoa
For the 3rd day in row, fog was waiting on us when daylight hit. Plans to hit it at daylight and arrive at a planned destination early were foiled again. We piddled until 9 am. The fog lifted and we took off. Today was easiest day yet on this brief journey. The distance was 45 miles, but the vast majority of the travel was literally in a straight line. Setting very few waypoints on the trip plan, I was able to set Auto Pilot and sit in the pilot house and watch the boat do its thing. The weather turned beautiful with temps hitting the low 70’s and bright sunshine. We enjoyed having the windows and doors open and wearing shorts and T shirts.
Sunset over Cocoa
We made it to Cocoa and dropped the anchor at the W. Cocoa Beach Causeway Bridge. Winds were out of the south-southeast, so we tucked in on the north side for protection from the forecasted light breezes and rain tonight.
This cool sunrise was caught by our rear view camera on the boat.