The Cruise - Week 1, December 29, 2014 to January 4, 2015

Monday, December 29, 2014 (Scroll down for following posts)

Departed Port Royal Land Marina, Beaufort, SC           0640

Anchored in the Vernon River just north of the

Burnside River (Possum Point) south of

Savannah, GA.                                                                 1455

Total day’s run 58 statute miles (50.5 nm)

Because of a weather advisory for sea fog and a frontal passage tomorrow, we decided to travel via the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).  Weather was overcast with patchy fog in the morning and light rain in the afternoon.  Temperature in the mid 60’s.

We made good time, hitting most of the tidal currents to our advantage.  After crossing the Savannah River, we took an alternate route via Saint Augustine Creek and Turner’s Creek back to the ICW in the Wilmington River.  This route took us by Mr. Sasser’s docks on Turner’s Creek where we left from on our first cruise with Brendan aboard (9 months old) 31 years ago.  I imagined standing on the dock as a young man watching a salty looking trawler cruise by with an older couple waving to me.  An emotional moment.

Now we are anchored up in light rain for our first night.  We are cozy and happy.

(wifi via our Verizon hot spot)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Departed anchorage in Vernon River 0700

Anchored in the North River just off of 

Doboy Sound, Georgia.        1620

Total day’s run 56 statute miles (49 nm)

We got away at first light and had no trouble negotiating Hell Gate two hours before low tide.  Never had less than 7 feet.  We came through some of the most beautiful and remote coastal areas that exist anywhere.  It was a light mist early but then just overcast all day with moderate wind, temperature cool, in the upper 50’s.  Many complain about the winding ICW especially in Georgia but I think they should slow down and enjoy it.  Many times the ICW is referred to as “the ditch”, but most of it is composed of natural waterways interconnected by some dredged cuts.  Even the cuts, like Hell Gate were made so long ago that they look natural.  

At one point, we had dolphins playing as I have never seen them before.  They seemed to enjoy engaging Dubhe.  They would swim just along side just under the water with their bellies up toward the boat.  Many times two or three would ride our bow wave and jump out of the water in unison.  I wish I had some pictures, but we were so awestruck that we never thought about a camera.

I had selected our anchorage location in advance based on the weather forecast of north winds.  When we got there, the wind was 10-15 kt from nearly east.  With the strong current, this would not do.  After some dithering around we moved back a mile or so and anchored.  We are now in the middle of nowhere in our cozy little boat having a drink.  (However, we do get a Verizon signal so we are connected.)

We have encountered an unforeseen problem with this style of cruising, that is, we are eating way too much.  We had bacon and pancakes for breakfast (Nancy cooks as we ride along), chili and bread for lunch, and lots of nibbles along the way.  Nancy provisioned us very well and we are not exercising as much.  We can’t keep this up every day!  

We hope to make it to Cumberland Island tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Departed anchorage in North River                     0710

Tied up at Fernandina Harbor Marina                 1610

Total day’s run 65 statute miles (56.5 nm)

Last night we had strong north winds all night.  Sometimes the boat shuddered and the sound in the rigging was a higher frequency, but my new Rocna anchor with 4:1 scope of all chain never moved.  Most people tend to over estimate wind speed but I conservatively estimate 20 knots with some higher gusts.

This morning was cold and windy.  We clawed our way up Altamaha Sound against the current but then had a nice ride “downhill” to Saint Simons Sound.  After some thought, we decided to continue across Jekyll Sound and try to get to Fernandina.  We had a 15+ kt wind against a rising tide current that set up a nasty, confused, steep sea.  Dubhe rolled to the rails a few times and a few items came loose but there was never any real problem.  We tied up at the Fernandina Harbor marina and went out for a great New Years Eve dinner.  I doubt we will stay awake to midnight!  Happy New Year to all.

Almost to Fernandina, Kings Bay in the background

Thursday, January 1, 2015, Fourth Day

Departed Fernandina Harbor Marina 1035

Arrived Jacksonville public free dock 1415

Sisters Creek

Total day’s run 23 statute miles (20 nm)

We slept late this morning and had another huge breakfast of pancakes and bacon.  Nancy has done a great job planning and provisioning.  Tonight, New Years day, we had steak, fresh potatoes, asparagus, and cheesecake.  As I mentioned before, the only problem is that we are eating too much.

Today was a short run, but we had a first.  We ran hard aground on a sandbar.  Just earlier, I mentioned to Nancy that on thing we had not yet done was run Dubhe aground.  (She does not want me talking about such things  again.)   I was in what I thought was the marked channel, but today the waterway and markers are not maintained as they used to be…still my responsibility.  Nancy and I were talking and I was not watching as closely as I should have been.  I was able to back off without too much difficulty, but then seemed to have a problem with the steering.  We were close to our intended destination (4 miles) so I struggled with it until we docked.  Dubhe has a hydraulic steering system with three pumps (main helm, flybridge, and autopilot).  To make a long story short, I had not turned off the autopilot after the grounding and it was fighting me to go another way.  After docking and discovering the screwup, we went back out into Sisters Creek and checked the steering.  It looks like no damage has been done but there is a minor leak in the steering ram.  We’ll see tomorrow.  

I am reading “Around the World in Wanderer III”.  A book that Eric and Susan Hiscock wrote about their three year circumnavigation in a sailboat 30 feet long.  And they began the voyage the year that I was born, 1952!  

Friday, January 2, 2015, Fifth Day

Departed Jacksonville City Dock 0705

on Sisters Creek

Arrived Saint Augustine         1240

Municipal Marina

Total day’s run 39 statute miles (34 nm)

We had a very restful night and got away at first light with two other boats.  The trip was fairly uneventful.  We had the current with us most of the way which is what I call going “downhill”.  Of course the mansions along the waterway in Ponte Vedre are interesting to look at and seem to become bigger each time.  We arrived early in Saint Augustine and had to wait for the Bridge of Lions to open and all went well except for one boat who didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on.

We went out to eat with our friends Tom and Joan Brozowski, aka The Breezes.  Had a great time reminiscing about our days in Panama City and catching up on what we are all doing now.

Tomorrow will stay here, rest, do a little sight seeing, and go out with other friends who are here from Beaufort on their boat.

Saturday, January 3, 2015, Sixth Day

We stayed in Saint Augustine all day.  Today is our first day of warm and sunny weather.  Until now it has been overcast, misty, and cold.  We did laundry this morning then walked around downtown and had lunch at La Herencia Café (was featured on the Food Channel).

Saint Augustine is jammed with tourists this weekend and our slip at the Municipal Marina is in an area where lots of them walk by.  We have been amazed at the number of people who stopped and commented on Dubhe.  It seems every other one would say something about how nice or beautiful she is.  One couple, a little older than us, said that they had seen her from the Bridge of Lions and made a special trip to come to the dock and look at her closer.  It seems that the traditional lines of a seaworthy boat are appealing even to those who know nothing about them.  

So many of the tourists here are clueless about the coast.  One couple, from Ohio and Colorado, looking at Dubhe, talking to us, was totally amazed that people actually live on boats.  Later, I was walking back to Dubhe, along the dock at low tide and I heard one person in a group of four ask the others “What is that?” as she pointed down.  I instinctively looked down and did not see anything out of the ordinary so I asked them what they were talking about.  The woman pointed down again and said “all those shells”.  “They are oysters” I told them as my mind was trying to grasp the concept that some people have never seen oysters in the wild or don’t even know what they look like.  Nancy and I are truly privileged to be able to do what we are doing.  I am thankful.

We went out to dinner with friends, Bill and Laura to “Catch 27”. Excellent food, I highly recommend it.  Then we went to the Chocolate Turtle for dessert.  We continue to eat way too much. 

Tomorrow we head south at first light, hoping to get past Daytona Beach, maybe to Ponce de Leon inlet.

Sunday, January 4, 2015, 7th Day

Departed Saint Augustine 0655

Municipal Marina

Anchored Rockhouse Creek        1540

Just behind Ponce Inlet

North of New Smyrna Beach

Total day’s run 65 statute miles (56.5 nm)

We left at first light this morning and had a good day’s run.  The current was with us most of the day, but the wind was on the nose probably about 15 kt.  That with our forward motion made for a breezy trip.  We passed Marineland, Ormond Beach, and Daytona Beach.  We are now in a great anchorage and the wind has died.  The anchor bit in well and I feel secure here, so maybe I will get a good nights sleep.  Before dark, we could see the Ponce de Leon Inlet.  Lots of local folks boating and fishing.  It’s been sunny and about 84 degrees today. 

I dingyed out (rowed the dingy) to take a picture of Dubhe at anchor and made it back to the mother ship safely.  Another great supper by Nancy.  

Tomorrow we plan to make Coco, Florida below Titusville.  Our first severe weather, in the form of a strong cold front, looks like it may be on us about Wednesday night.  That will make a big difference in where we stay.