Onward North

Victory Lap Week 2/8

Monday April 11, we departed Bob and Lynn’s by 10am. Cruising north, next stop New Smyrna Beach. We will anchor early evening.

We anchored for the night along the ICW in an area known as NASA Launch Viewing-1. The Artemis I rocket was on Launch Pad 39B near the Vehicle Assembly Building for a photo opportunity event.

46 days to go.

Tuesday April 12, anchor up by 8:11am. Heading to New Smyrna Beach.

Arrived in New Smyrna Beach around 2pm. We stopped here to meet Island Packet 38 s/v Ocean Dreams owners Mike and Connie. They have future plans to sail around the world. Together we had dinner at Blackbeard’s Inn, later back at the marina shared stories of our adventure.

45 days to go.

Wednesday April 13,caught the 7:30am bridge opening, on our way north to St. Augustine. Oh the bascule bridges, most open on demand.

Northbound on the ICW we noticed temporarily buoys way off the ICW path on the chart plotter. We rounded inside a temporary buoy as we should, yet got stuck in the sand. Although we could have waited for high tide, we decided to raise the main sail to heal the boat over. The wind twisted the boat around allowing us to back up into deeper water, then we were free!

After arriving in St Augustine, we joined DeAnne, our daughter in-law’s mom and James for dinner at A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom. It was a great evening!

44 days to go.

Thursday April 14, departed St Augustine by 7:10am was able to catch the 7:30am opening of the Bridge of Lions.

We decided to go out into the ocean at Jacksonville, will go back in St. Simon Sound, Georgia and anchor for the night. There were two cargo ships in the channel when we were entering, Trance was just outside the channel buoys. Anchored for the night just north of Lanier Island as the sun was setting.

43 days to go.

Friday, April 15, anchor up by 7:30am, windy day! 17-20 knots with gusts to 25 ENE. Another day cruising the ICW. The big benefit staying in is no waves. I imagine it’s pretty rough on the ocean with the wind going against the Gulf Stream. The ICW in Georgia is rivers and creeks that wind and snake, we traveled over 25 miles only progressing one mile north.

We ended-up anchoring at 6:15pm just off the Bear River where it meets the Bulkhead and Cane Patch Creeks. Still in Georgia, about 15 miles south of Savanna.

42 days to go.

Saturday April 16, anchor up by 7:30am.

This afternoon we spoke on the phone with friends from Hawaii, Yana and Joey Cabell. They are in California awaiting the birth of their sixth grandchild. It was great to talk to them!

By 5:15pm we had docked at the Safe Harbor Beaufort Marina. Later had dinner at Panini’s On The Waterfront. While there we met the couple in the booth next to us, also on a boat, he’s from Norway, she’s from Columbia but lives in Florida. Their plan is to do the Great Loop. Afterwards we all walked two miles to a grocery store then took a taxi back to the marina.

41 days to go.

Sunday April 17, Happy Easter 🌷

Departed the marina by 9 am. The Ladys Island Bridge in Beaufort opens on demand on weekends.

5:40pm anchor dropped in the Stono River. The weather forecast for tonight and most of tomorrow is for heavy rain. We may just stay here till afternoon.

40 days to go.