St Augustine, FL

mv Ragtime, Southport, ME port

sv Owl, St Augustine, FL

After St Marys, we headed further south into Florida, past several shallow spots.  Near Fernandina we were passed by a beautifully restored powerboat called Ragtime.  Coming into St Augustine we motored past a cute mini pirate ship called Owl.

We arrived in St Augustine on a Friday, spent Saturday & Sunday revisiting some favorite spots and previewed our "official tourist plan", including taking the Old Town Trolley, hitting a couple museums, and other highlights. When we walked into the Old Towne we discovered it was once again Pirate's Weekend and encountered a large group of Pirates on the field past the the old City Gates.

Pirates battle

 The roar of the flintlocks,  blunderbusses and cannons was very loud & the smoke billowed from them all.

Monday we took advantage of the fine, sunny weather and explored the town of St Augustine, FL.  First we took the trolley all the way around, to get our bearings and learn the route.  Even saw "The Senator", a 600 year old Oak tree. 

Old Town Trolley

Castillo Gun Crew

Castillo Cannon Firing Demonstration

Also, because it was Veteran's Day, the Castillo de San Marcos was open free to the public so we went there again.  Once of our favorites, the rangers give mini-talks about the rooms on the ground floors and even have cannon-firing demonstrations up on the parapets.
 

Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions & N Anchorage

Cannon details

Garry, cannon & St Augustine Inlet

 We enjoyed a cheeseburger lunch at "No Name" pub and ended our tours of town by visiting Pat Croce's Pirate & Treasure Museum.  It was pretty neat, lots of interactive exhibits, including firing a cannon and being locked in the brig.

St Marys, Georgia

St Marys Left

St Marys Center

St Marys Right

Once we left Cumberland Island anchorage we went up the
St Marys River to the town of St Marys.  Although it wasn't
Thanksgiving yet (they always have a huge holiday meal) we
decided to make a detour and investigate the little town of
St Marys.  The channel marks were few but well marked.
When we were coming up the river, we could spot the town
in the distance.  Big area, marina transient docks on left,
State and National Park facilities & boat in center, and more
docks on the right.  Windy anchorage but nice view.

When we walked around town, we discovered main Osborne Street with most shops, including two bookstores (new Once Upon a Bookseller & used Ms. Wendy's Wonderful World of Books, several antiques shops, and several restaurants, including homey Cedar Oak Cafe for hearty, reasonable breakfast.

Later in the day we tried Shark Bite Bar & Grill for "lunner", the boaters late lunch, early dinner.  Also spotted at the docks was the Schooner Steelaway which now makes St Marys their homeport.  We had seen this vessel on a previous trip. 

Tropical Storm - Hurricane Sandy

After we provisioned at Chesapeake City, we proceeded past Coinjack and tried a new anchorage off Lutz Creek, as recommended by the new On The Water Guidebooks.  Very nice.  Crossed the Albemarle Sound next day, went down the Pungo Canal to another new anchorage. 

Contacted our friends at Pamlico Plantation, Joan & Jim Sweeney, but they were unable to connect with us.  Same story with Reta & Larry Foster at Chowinity (spelling?).  Better luck next time, guys.  Then we proceeded to the State Dock at Bath, NC, Hardings Landing, to hunker down for the "Tropical Storm Sandy".  Met some nice people there and explored town and museum. 

Moved a little faster past Oriental and Sanitary Market floating dock at Beufort, NC.  Tucked into Mile Hammock Bay anchorage overnight, followed by Carolina Beach mooring and then Barefoot Landing Dock at N. Myrtle Beach.  Moving fast to get to hurricane hole at Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC.  This is a very nice hurricane hole with good protection and the boats were just piling in to dodge now Hurricane Sandy.  Actually had slow steady rain all day Saturday with some gusts into Sunday.  All in all, it has been very good for us here, hiding from the "Frankinstorm" Sandy. 

Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC

We wish all fellow boaters safe passage during this time.  To family & friends up in NJ, be safe up there!

We pulled out of Weems Creek right after the Annapolis Boat Show on Monday,  

October 8, 2012, joining up with s/v Xtasea (friends Amy & Rex Noel)  for our  

start south down the Chesapeake Bay.  Headed first to Solomon, MD for stops at  

Roy Rogers, West Marine (where we got a present of a bright yellow boat cushion) 

and 7-11.  Then headed on to friends Mary & Walt Keith's dock in Reedville, VA  

for fun, conversation, food and drink and couple boat projects.  Rex helped  

Garry get the mainsail off for some more sewing repairs.  Thanks so much for  

all your help, friends!  We also had a diver clean Windkist4's bottom and put  

the second zinc on.

On the way again we saw several schooners in the Great Chesapeake Schooner Race  

and even heard a Mayday from one on way into Deltaville's Fishing Bay.  The boat had lost a crewman overboard, rescue was accomplished, but unfortunately the man did not survive.  Let's all be very careful out there!

After trying new anchorage at Phoebus Channel opposite entrance to Norfolk,  

we headed up the river to Mile Marker 0 and the official start of our trip south.

We saw many schooners coming out from Norfolk & Portsmouth, including Farewell, 

Sultana and Pride of Baltimore II.

Had to wait for a train on the first railroad bridge but nice lady at Gilmerton 

Bridge took pity on us and held her bridge opening for all four of us.  Garry 

said he would like to give her a big hug!  Made it through all the first group 

of bridges, thru the Great Bridge Loch with Halloween candy given, on to the 

Great Bridge Dock before the Great Bridge Bridge.  Spent one day there doing 

some little provisioning and having Dairy Queen cones.  On way again thru 

Virginia Cut, past Coinjack, to Lutz Creek anchorage, opposite Broad Creek. 

More later.