23 April 2012 Lamb's Yacht Center Jacksonville, FL

Well, here we sit!  Still no stern thruster repair.  Ozel did get his new computer today though and we received a call from Debbie (our canvas and screen maker) That she is mailing our new windshield screens today.  They are to replace the ones that were blown away during a severe, high wind storm in Gulfport. So we are getting a few things in order.

Yesterday we went to the "Tour du farm" here in the Jacksonville area.  Small organic farms open up to the public to show off the farms and to sell their and others' organic products. It was held on Earth Day.  We even had an organic strawberry mojito!  It was great!  We visited 2 farms. Had a great time and made a few modest purchases.

Now to the story which relates to our on land transportation.  When we were in St. Augustine, we saw a boat that we had known back home.  It was the Second Fantasy - Rockport, TX.  The boat left early the next morning so we didn't have a chance to meet the people on board.  We headed to Jacksonville and after a few days at the City Marina, we moved up River to the Ortega River and to Lamb's Yacht Center. They are a certified dealer of the stern thruster that we needed to have repaired.  Guess what boat was tied up right in front of us.   It was Second Fantasy!  We finally met the owners - Tom and Doris Sanders.  They invited us to join them on the Farm visit.

This a  picture from earlier this week.  It is of Judy and Tom Martin at our onboard cocktail hour before we headed to dinner.   It was a great evening.

Tom and Doris Sanders with Ozel at one of the farms we visited.

 Ozel and Doris shopping at the bread tent.......Whole Wheat Rosemary bread,  anyone?

18 April 2012 Lamb's Yacht Center - Jacksonville, FL

The winds decided to challenge us once again.  It was really blowing and there was a strong in coming current when we left the City Marina.  We sure appreciated the guys that helped us with our lines as we left.  Ozel did an excellent job of getting us out of there!!

We headed up river to Lamb's Yacht Center on the Ortega River.  Plan to stay a few days to get the stern thruster repaired and to replace Ozel's nav computer that was killed by a dog's tail. Not quite sure how long we'll be here.

Through Facebook, a childhood friend and high school classmate, Judy Martin, made contact.  She lives here in Jacksonville with her husband Tom.  They came by the boat for a glass of wine and then we went to dinner at the Riverside Brewery Restaurant.  It was such fun talking about old times and catching up.  We were in Brownie Scouts together and graduated H.S. together.  It was a great evening.

 Early morning at Lamb's

Looking out our Galley window. I thought that this was a neat picture

15 - 17 April 2012 Metropolitan Park Marina - Jacksonville, FL

We left St. Augustine and continued north on the Intracoastal.  It was a nice trip.  The scenery changed as we  went....less palms.  Lots and lots of big and expensive houses. Just after noon we entered the St. John's River and headed to Jacksonville. We pulled into the Metropolitan Park Marina which is the City Marina. It has 75 slips but there were only 3 boats when we arrived.  This is a free dock (when there are no events going at the stadium or the park) that has a 72hr stay limit.  Electricity is paid for at a kiosk and costs $8.50 per day for 50 amp. This was a great stop.  The Jacksonville Fire Museum is in the Park.  It is quite interesting. 

 We passed this ship on the way up river to Jacksonville

 It amazed us that this beautiful marina was empty

Sunset in Jacksonville. Taken from the back of our boat.

 Fire Museum of Jacksonville

14 April 2012 St. Augustine, FL

Leaving Halifax River Marina was interesting.  You return keys by dropping them in a cloth bag at the end of a pole being held out by a guy on the fuel dock as you are leaving the  Marina.  What a hoot!!!

We enjoyed our stay here but miss Sean, AnLee,  Melina and Kara.

Another day of wind!  It was extremely windy by the time we arrived at St. Augustin Municipal Marina. We docked bow in.  The marina dock staff were very helpful!  Ozel did a great job of bringing Freya in.  It was blowing 25 - 30.  The marina is right in Old Town.  It was an enjoyable stop.  Had dinner at O.C. Whites which was across the street from the marina. Good food.

We enjoyed walking down the narrow back streets.

The Fantasea from Rockport was two boats down from us.  We never did see the  people aboard her.  

12 - 13 April 2012 Halifax River Marina - Daytona, FL

We had a pleasant trip from Titusville to Daytona.  Melina and AnLee were drivers today.  The wind picked up during the day and was really blowing by the time we reached the Halifax River Marina.  A bit exciting docking at the fuel dock.  The good news is that we used less fuel than we expected.

We tied up at the end of E Dock which was across from the Blue Grotto Restaurant and Tiki Bar.  The building also housed a West Marine - Ozel was able to get a few things that he needed there.

My friend and colleague from my working days and her husband live nearby in New Smyrna Beach.  They drove over for a visit and to have dinner.  We hadn't seen each other in about 12 years.  Collette and Ray helped us bring Orion (our Beneteau 440 sailboat) back from Veracruz after a "Regatta de los Amigos Race" several years ago.  It was so good to see them!!!!! They haven't changed a bit.

We had a "Lazy Day" on the 13th.  Sean and Ozel went to the airport to rent a car.  When they returned, we took a ride to Daytona Beach.  We couldn't find a place to park - it was really crowded over there so we came back to the mainland and had lunch at an Irish Pub.  Sean and family left for the airport in Orlando after lunch.  I did laundry and later prepared an easy supper - wine and cheese..

 AnLee at the helm - Sean enjoying the ride

 

The Blue Grotto Restaurant and Tiki Bar.

Collette and Ray

We really enjoyed our few days with Sean, AnLee, Melina and Kara.  Hope they can meet us again along the route.

11 April 2012 Titusville, FL

We saw Manta Rays and Dolphin as we departed the Melbourne Marina.  Sean said that he saw what looked like large pieces of cardboard in the water.....turned out to be the rays.  Quite a send off!
Later in the day we had 4 Dolphin ride our stern wake for a long time.  They were bumping into each other and appeared to be playing.  This is the kind of thing that we really are enjoying on this trip.

 Kara with Nissa

 Kara with Osita

Melina with Nissa

Kara did a great job of driving the boat.  She really seemed to enjoy it.  Melina was enjoying sunbathing on the top deck.  I don't think she has much opportunity to do so in Seattle.

10 April 2012 - Melbourne, FL

We are at the Melbourne Harbor Marina.  Nice location with short walk to town.....however, we had a very long walk to find a groomer for the Girls.  They were over due for a trim.  We found a terrific groomer - Cashmere Grooming. They also are a grooming school.  The people were friendly and even offered to deliver the Girls to the Marina to save us the walk.  As it turned out, Sean arrived and had a rental car so he and Ozel picked up the Girls.
We were so happy to see Sean and his family.  They had spent a couple of days at Epcot Center and Disney Hollywood before meeting us in Melbourne.  We did some shopping, returned the rental and had a lazy day afterward.  Really good dinner at Ichabod's at the Marina.

Left to right: Kara, AnLee, Melina, Sean, Maryann and Ozel.  

We were a little wind blown in this picture that actually was taken in Daytona