Florida (& Sea Star) bound

On July 5, 2011 we set off by car from our home in London, Ontario for Sea Star in Green Cove Springs, Florida. She had been laying on the hard for 14 months. Our plan was to launch her and motor north along the Inter-coastal waterway to Chesapeake Bay where we would, in 6 weeks time, once again haul out and head back home until next summer.

As we were travelling during hurricane season we planned to make haste and get as far north as quickly as possible as our insurance was void as long as we were south of 35 degrees latitude.

We spent a week sight-seeing by car on our way south, stopping to camp in 4 different National Forests: Allegheny National Forest - Pennsylvania, Monongahela National Forest - West Virginia, First Landing State Park - Virginia Beach, Virginia and Neuse River Croaton National Forest - North Carolina.

We explored the Atlantic Seashore (Outer Banks) in North Carolina, stopping to watch the wild surf crash on the spectacular beach for as far as the eye could see.

While In St. Augustine, Florida on July 11th, we enjoyed dinner and "caught up on the news" with fellow cruiser friends, Jeff & Carolee (boat Contessa).

We launched Sea Star on July 12th in a record high heat wave and spent the next 2 nights tied to the marina's pier while we provisioned, cleaned, repaired and re-fit her for travel.

Severe thunderstorms due to the extreme heat slowed our passage as we made our way on July 14th amidst the dolphins out the St. John River to the ICW.

We travelled nearly all alone amidst an amazing variety and proliferation of shorebirds which included egrets and ibis. We even had 3 separate sightings of pink spoonbills.

To our delight we sighted 2 manatees alongside at the Florida/Georgia state line (Amelia Island). We drifted silently along beside them to observe and marvel at their beauty.