Warnings, warnings, warnings

 Gale warning....small craft advisory....wind chill advisory....very rough ICW....wide spread hard freeze....cold warning.....right whale sighting warning....NASA security zone warning

We grow weary hearing the warnings being broadcast on our VHF radio from NOAA's weather channel.

We set out for our day's travel with an eye to finding shelter from the upcoming forecast of sustained N/W winds of 20-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.  

It was with great delight we found ourselves in the very snug anchorage at Eau Gallie (rocky water) M914 ICW (off Indian River).  We dropped anchor in 11' of water amidst the many "liveaboards" and rowing skulls to await the forecasted wind and cold weather event.  

As forecast, the night was cold with gusty winds but in the morning we found Sea Star had held tight.

Luckily we didn't read up on the Eau Gallie anchorage in our Waterways guide book until the next morning as they advise against anchoring here ...... poor holding.....oh?

As dark set in we marvelled at the white ibis that came in for the night to roost in the trees edging the anchorage.  

Photo shows ibis birds roosting in the trees in the background as well as "Let's Go Brandon" sign.

The local boat anchored beside us has the "Let's Go Brandon" flag flying.  We've seen this flag several times along the way.  We're glad we googled what it meant and didn't ask the owner.  Want a shock?  Google it!  The Wikipedia description bluntly sums it up.

Unfortunately we're in for 2 more cold nights (record cold expected tonight) but the forecast is for temperatures in the low 70's by Tuesday.  We'll look forward to it.

Kennedy Space Center

Our travels on Jan. 27th took us past the Kennedy Space Center.  We continue to hear broadcasts on the V.H.F. radio from the U.S. Coast Guard.  They are advising mariners to stay clear of a security zone that's in effect awaiting the launch of a Space X Falcon 9 rocket carrying the CSG 2 radar surveillance satellite for the Italian Space Agency. 

The rocket booster will be retrieved after it drops into the ocean security zone. 

We continue to watch the sky during the "window to launch" time each day (6:11 p.m. - 6:22 p.m.) but alas the launch was "scrubbed" January 26th and January 27th ..... possibly tonight?  We'll keep watch.

Anchorage with a view

 Fort Matanzas Inlet - January 20, 2022

In 70 degree sunshine we got our first view of the Atlantic Ocean as we dropped anchor in the Fort Matanzas Inlet ..... 15 miles south of St. Augustine. 

We enjoyed an interesting stroll along the white sand beach while exploring the many shells and tidal pools in the inlet.  

We spotted 2 baby rays who were caught in a pool awaiting their escape when the tide came back in.

The forecast of breezy weather, yet again, (N15-20 gusting 30) had us hunkering down beside the inlet's north shore.....across from the fort.  

Barry hauled the dinghy up on deck to do some glue repairs as most of the attachments have let go.  Time to test out 3 M's 5200 adhesive.  

Gale & Freezing Temps - Sisters Creek & St. Augustine, Florida

 

We spent the Martin Luther King long week-end (Jan. 15 - 18) tied to the free public dock (Jim King Park) at Sisters Creek.  Gale force winds and record low temperatures accosted us for 3 days.  January 17th Jacksonville marked their coldest day on record ... 29 degrees F.  As well that day the all-time record wind speed in January was recorded for sustained winds - out of the Southwest 38 mph and wind gust 59 mph.  We were grateful to be on the dock.  It was a wild ride with the current and wind tossing us around.  

We set out at first light on January 19th to head across the St. John River on route to St. Augustine.  As we entered the river we quickly realized the fog coming in from the ocean was too thick for us to see the freighter traffic.  We waited for the fog to clear ..... good thing as we ended up dancing around a container ship to reach the other side. 

Enticed by the thought of a hot shower, we took a mooring ball in St. Augustine's municipal marina.  We donned our masks and beat a direct path to the showers.  We were horrified by the crowds of tourists on the waterfront.  We were the only ones wearing masks.  

At night, the whole bridge and every shop on the waterfront was aglow with lights.  There were even lighted tour boats circling the harbour.  We felt more like we were in an amusement park than America's oldest city.  

An Invitation to a Gale

A forecast for future gale force S/W winds had us moving along in search of a sheltered anchorage. 

The red sky in the morning, as well as the clouds during the day foretold of the weather that lay ahead. 

Our plan was to anchor in the Fort George River and shelter behind the George R. Kingsley Plantation (M735).....a location we'd visited before.  We arrived 1 hour before low tide (5') and try as we may we couldn't find enough water to carry us in. 

We moved on to the next option which was the Sister Creek anchorage - just above the St. John's River Inlet (Jacksonville).  The coast guard was advising of a whale sighting in that location.  While preparing to anchor we noticed a dock on the west side of the Intercoastal Waterway.  A quick check of our guide books told us it was a free, public dock .... 72 hour maximum stay.  

We were very grateful to securely tie on (2nd boat in) and weather the storm there.  

The rain and wind picked up through the night.

On Sunday, Jan. 16th a weather alert was being broadcast on the VHF radio.....gale warning, very rough on the intercoastal waters, 100% chance of showers in the morning.   Winds in the morning S/W 25-40 mph, afternoon W 20-25 gusting 45 mph.

Monday - Winds W 15-20 mph Gusting 30, Monday night - patchy frost  - Wind N/W 10-15 mph

How Green is my C & C

We left Sea Star "on the hard" at Tiger Point marina (Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida) due to the pandemic in March 2020. 

Almost 2 years later finds we are both fully vaccinated plus the booster shot while the omicron variant is raging in Ontario but even more so in Florida.

We made the difficult decision to take the risk of getting to the boat in Florida and launching. 

The drive from London to the Georgia/Florida border took us 31 hours.  To make it completely contactless we stopped twice to nap in rest areas along the way. 

We found Sea Star to be in pretty tough shape.....to say the least, she was green!!

Barry made repairs (2 new batteries, replaced the sea water pump on the engine) and prepared the boat to launch (fresh water, propane, diesel fuel).  

In an attempt to have no contact, I placed 2 online orders at Publix through instacart for provisions.  They were delivered within hours right to our dock.

Sea Star "splashed" on January 6th, 2022 but she was far from seaworthy.  We took a slip at the marina for one night then headed to an anchorage about a mile away where we spent nearly a week cleaning and making repairs. 

We find the air traffic is so busy in this area, the sunset has to compete for our attention with the vapour trails. 

We delight in the great number of dolphin sightings, as well as seabirds and pelicans....especially the magnificent American White Pelican.  

Through the magic of unlimited data on our U.S. phone plus our wind generator and solar panel we were able to join the London Power and Sail Squadron for their January bridge meeting.  It was great to "see" everyone.  

We had expected the weather to be warmer than it is.....day time highs in the 50s/low 60s.....nightly lows near freezing.  We're thankful for the kerosene heater to warm the cabin in the morning. 

In memory of Kevin Heslop

In the spring of 2020 we were immensely saddened by the passing of our good friend and fellow boater, Kevin Heslop. 

We can feel Kevin's spirit travelling with us as the passage we're on was part of his dream.  

We salute Kevin as we know he did everything in his power to live that dream. 

We raise a glass to you Kevin for your help along the way.  Thanks so very much for your friendship.  May your spirit be forever free. 

Cheers!