10-12 April 2012

The Coast Guard hailed us as we left Fernandina Beach, FL to inform us that Naval ships were coming down the Cumberland River. We were told to stay outside of the "greens" and to keep our bow pointed away from the ships.

This is not a good picture but it is of a Submarine escorted by 2 Minesweepers.  There were several USCG vessels of various sizes as well.

This was quite an intense day as we encountered shallows and shoaling.  

The tides here are unbelievable.

Jekyll Harbor Marina

This is a great Marina. Everyone friendly and helpful.  The Cafe has a great happy hour and the food is pretty good too!

They have a loaner car which we took to town to get some supplies and to drive around the Island.  It is lovely here.

This is the main entrance to the Cafe/Restaurant.

The weather has been unpredictable so we are on a weather hold here.  We plan to leave early tomorrow morning since we have a long voyage tomorrow.

4/12 - We will be going to our first "Pot Luck" this evening.  I say first because we hear that there will be many on this trip.

April 9, 2013 Jacksonville to Fernandina, Florida

Well, the day has come - on with the voyage.  We had filters changed, zincs replaced, extra anchor chain added, the extra prop stowed, walked the dogs and checked out of the marina.

Ozel working on anchor chain

Really a tight fit to stow the prop in the engine room. Ask Ozel about getting out of there!

We left the marina and headed out of the Ortega River to the St. John's.  Just after going through the railroad bridge, the engine died.  Finally got it started and limped back to Lamb's.

It turned out to be a valve that was not properly positioned after the fuel filter change.  so, we started out again.  No problems this time.

We went North on the River which is down river to the Sisters Creek which is the ICW.  It was difficult to see the entrance but we made it.  Shortly after entering the ICW, we had a couple of visitors.

First Dolphin of this trip.

We have never navigated such "skinny" water.  There was quite a bit of shoaling in this part of the ICW.  Sometimes depths of 4 ft.  It was an intense day

So....when we got to  the Fernandino Harbor Marina, we hooked up the life lines, walked the dogs and headed to Brett's for a glass of wine. Ozel opted for Margaritas - he earned them.  We had an excellent meal at Brett's - and - the dogs were with us on the deck.

This is Ariel

Looking over the Marina from the Restaurant..Freya is on the right hand side of the fairway.

On to Jekyll Island tomorrow.

April 6, 2013 - Jacksonville, FL

We are on the boat at Lamb's Yacht Center in Jacksonville.  Greg's wife, Liz, came with us and will drive our SUV back to Texas.

The boat is provisioned and almost ready for take off. We plan to head North on Tuesday. Our Planned first port of call is Fernandino Beach.

Ozel is loading the last of the things that are going back to Texas

 A wave farewell!

Off she goes!

Going, going, gone!  Now we on our own and will resume our adventure!

17 March 2013

We had some St. Patrick's Day excitement in the canal behind the house.

We woke up to find that the Barge working on the dock across the canal had sunk during the night and was sitting on the bottom.

                           

The canal was quite busy.  We had Coast Guard and Texas Land Management checking out the site.  They did a good job of re-floating the barge. Here you can see that the Port side is still under water

  

It took all day and well into the evening but they finally got her afloat.  The next morning there she was and a lot cleaner too!!!

March 14-15, 2013

From this.....

to this!

Drove from Angel Fire, NM to our home in Rockport, Texas to begin preparations for rejoining our boat, Freya, in Jacksonville, FL.  We will clean up the boat,  provision and then resume cruising "The Loop".  Looking forward to getting back on the water..

November 10th

We cleaned up the boat and got it ready to store until March/April..  Once the boat was buttoned up, we headed west to Biloxi and then on to Texas....will return next Spring to continue the "Loop"..

November 9th - Palatka to Jacksonville

We left Palatka after a great breakfast at Angel's Diner which is the oldest diner in Florida....opened in 1932.

We had breakfast at the table where the policemen are sitting.

After breakfast, we headed back to Jacksonville and Lamb's Yacht Center.

Home again!

We secured the boat and then went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Jacksonville (Anondale) - Biscotti's.