Florida we made it.

Wednesday November 26, 2008
Many options had presented themselves at the Island of Jekyll one was stay another day, leave for Florida, or go up the St. Mary's River 6 miles to a Thanksgiving Gathering of boaters The possibility of heading 6 miles out of our way, finding some kind of dish to take to the gathering and having to turn around and head to another anchorages weighed heavily in our decision to leave and head for Florida.
This passage was the kind that I most preferred , a relatively short distance with lots of different things to see and arrive in our new destination early enough to tour the town we had arrived at. Vertigo 1 and Grace C were the only boats to choose this option on this day. Crossing into Florida was exhilarating.
The thought that we had almost accomplished our final destination was indescribable. Eating a quarter of a crows pie was way easier that eating a whole pie. If Grace C's engine decided to give out again and we be forced to abort the mission we could still always tell our Grand child, Nana and Poppa sailed to Florida once. Our first Port in Florida was Fernandina Beach, on Amelia Island. The sun was shining and the weather was warmer than it had been for a month. The town although it had heavy industry on both sides of it was attractive and friendly. We toured the shops and discovered that all the stores would be closed tomorrow so we headed out to the marina to get a cab and pick up our groceries. This is the beginning of the stocking up for the trip. After getting a card for the discounts a girl at the check out produced another token which magically before my eyes my 93.00 purchase became 73.00. Wow that will pay for the cab. People here are in that “Thanksgiving Spirit” prior to a day off feeling. We headed back to the boat to unload the groceries. Another wonderful day in paradise.
Thanksgiving Day in US – Thursday November 27, 2008
When we arrive on the shore the Dock Master waived the $5.00 landing and shower fee.
Since nothing was going to be open Diane and I decided we would do our Laundry. We were about half way done and a group of people came over and asked us what we were doing for Thanksgiving and would we like to come to have a Turkey dinner. It would be served at the Methodist Church six blocks away between 12 and 2:30 pm. Apparently this church instead of being home with their families decided to give of their time to make sure everyone in Fernandina Beach had a dinner to come to. They had historically gone to the harbour to pick up transient boaters and make sure they were provided for.(“boater gathering, no work and no going up the river out of our way, Oh I like it.”) By the time we were ready to go Whippoorwill had arrived and joined us. The meal was all home made and the atmosphere was charged with that unconditional love that comes from giving. After dinner we window shopped and headed back to the harbour to visit with Brandaris and Southern Cross. Fernandina
Beach you will be high in the memory bank forever.
Friday November 28, 2008
Today was a travel day. We lifted anchor and set out around 7:00 am the day was overcast and sunny at time. We enjoyed the ICW and all the beautiful homes along it. There were lots of dolphin sightings and it was fun to watch the pelicans nose dive into the water and almost belly flop. We headed out to St. Augustine and made it in around 3:30 pm. We decided to anchor just past the Bridge of Lions so we would not have to wait for it to open when we decided to leave. There is lots to see and do here so we are in no hurray to leave. Whippoorwill arrived shortly after we got in so we headed over to their boat to say hello. Tony and Diane joined us for some munchies and we went back to the boat for the night to relax and check our e-mail. St. Augustine provides free wifi.
Saturday November 29, 2008
We meet the fleet at the dinghy dock and headed out to go to the Sailor Exchange which is a place where you can get lots of used boat things. It was incredible to see and so many things. They even have end of rolls of Marine Sumbrella which was only $7.00 per yard. Ab and Karen joined us at a Diner on the way back to the boat. After lunch Karen and I found the Quilt Shop. It was full of beautifully cut and co-ordinated Fat Squares. It was so wonderful to see all that fabric in one place. The lady was from South Africa and she said she got into quilting because she could not work when she first came to the states so she made crafts and sold them. When Dick and Ab got back from taking the groceries etc. to the boat we headed up to view the Castillo de San Marcos, which was a huge fort that the Spanish had built in 1672 and completed in 1695. Apparently who ever had possession of it was never overthrown by its brilliant defense system.
We had taken a monthly tally and we have been anchored for 20 nights this month, been docked at a no cost to us for 4 nights and stayed at marinas for 6 nights. The budget seems to be having reprieve. :)