Bitter Sweet

The week of December 13 was a mad rush to complete all of our (out of water) boat projects.  The dilemma...if the boat isn’t ready to launch on Dec. 20, we would literally be ‘high and dry’ until Jan 2, as the marina was closing for 12 days for the holidays.  Yikes!! We were planning to leave Fernandina on Dec. 28 so we worked every day to get all projects checked off the list.  Keith replaced the 40 year old strainers (which supply the engine with raw water for cooling purposes) with new and improved strainers, and installed a new transducer for a new chart plotter.  Keith’s jobs required actual holes in the bottom of the boat (which were already there, but needed to be enlarged), therefore the complete installation of these items was critical before the boat could be re-launched.

It was tight, but the workers at the marina completed the bottom paint job, while Keith and I worked on our projects.  Right Hand was launched at 3:45 on Friday, December 20.  They slowly lowered the boat into the water, and held it in the cradle to allow us to check for leaks before actually cutting us loose.  Not a drop of water came through any of the newly installed thru hauls...good job Keith!

I am happy to report the shower/tub rehab was also a success!  The epoxy paint makes the tub look new, and the tiles are fabulous.   While it wasn’t essential for the boat to be out of the water, it was necessary for us to make other plans for showering.  I wanted to complete this project over the summer, thinking that we could use our outside showers while this tub was out of service.  However, we decided to visit cold places all summer so that plan didn’t work.  This was the perfect opportunity to get it done while we were staying with my son and his family. 

I am very sad to report this Beneteau sailboat broke loose from its mooring ball.  When we arrived in Fernandina Beach, we anchored between two sailboats...this was the boat moored just a few hundred feet south of us.  We were there for over a week and never saw anyone check on the boat, but it seemed fine when we left to get hauled out.  One week later, we returned to the same spot to find this.  The worst part is that during high tide the boat is afloat and definitely salvageable, but no one has made any attempt to save this boat...I hate to see this!

Christmas morning was glorious!

The girls enjoyed ganging up on Pop.


There is always enough room on Grandmom’s lap!

The weather was very rainy, but we were determined to get a family photo while we were all together.  We went to the beach hoping to reenact a previous family photo, but it started to pour as we were crossing the sand dune so we went to a pavilion covering some picnic tables and improvised.  This is where the bitter part of this story comes into play.  It is time to leave our family and continue on our journey. Oh how I will miss all those hugs, kisses, and cuddles from these three angels.  We really enjoyed having everyone together and spending time with the family!

This isn’t the best picture (because it was getting dark when I took it), but I saw a flock of pink flying over the boat.  Roseate Spoonbills...awesome!!

This boat is not abandoned!

As we cruise down the ICW the ‘sweet’ part of this story is infused into my soul.  It was in the low 70’s and we were enjoying the scenery from the flybridge.  White Pelicans are becoming much more common.  Did you know a group of pelicans can be called a “brief”, “pod”, “pouch”, “scoop”, or “squadron”?  I think these two are a scoop😁

This has to be a squadron!

There were plenty of opportunities for us to play, ‘home or resort’?

We anchored in the St. Augustine harbor at dusk on Saturday, December 28.  What a beautiful harbor!!

This egret didn’t seem too happy about sharing the dinghy dock, but he/she tolerated our invasion.

St. Augustine is a beautiful town!  I never realized it was such a tourist attraction.  At times it felt like we were at a place like Disney with the number of people, the number of languages being spoken around us, and the number of tour trolleys constantly on the move.

This city was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, and is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlements within the borders of the continental United States.  The architecture in this town is amazing!

Please do not sit on the wall, under penalty of impailment!

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine built 1793-1797.  Beautiful.

Is this a real, live ‘bird of paradise’?  Is that proof that we are in paradise?

I am sooo happy to see green plants and live flowers...outside, on December 29.

And bananas...are you kidding me...BANANAS!

The fort was very cool.

Our tour of St. Augustine was spectacular, but we are happy to be home again enjoying the sunset over Bridge of Lyons.

Goodbye Mustache Hello Fake Granite

We have been in Fernandina Beach for nearly two weeks.  We spent the first week anchored near downtown Fernandina Beach, which means that on one side of the river there is a beautiful marsh and on the other side of the river there are huge factories belching smoke continuously.  There is a 6 foot tidal range here, which provides for a strong current raging past the boat for 6 hours in one direction...then the current and the boat turn around...and 6 hours in the other direction...repeat...repeat...

We have seen some very cute toys here. We are guessing these boats come from a rental company, as sometimes we get ‘buzzed’ by a flock.

There are also several adorable pusher boats on this river.

84 degrees = day at the beach! We packed a lunch, jumped in the Whaler and headed around the corner to an inlet beach.


This beach provided an interesting swing.  Anna loved it!

Actually, we all enjoyed this swing!

The nice weather  lasted two days, and we were soon looking for a protected anchorage to hide from 30 mph winds forecasted to blow for 18 hours.  From our original anchorage, we could see two boats tucked back in the marsh so we decided to join them in their safe location.  Obviously this is a very secure location, clearly this boat has been anchored here for a LONG time.  This boat definitely fits the definition of derelict, but is certainly not abandoned.  The cormorants have claimed this vessel.

On Friday the 13th, Right Hand got hauled out of the water for normal upkeep items we want to complete before heading to the Caribbean.  The biggest job on the list is to have the bottom pressure washed, sanded and painted (which hasn’t been done for 3 1/2 years).  Clearly, she also needs to have the mustache removed from her bow.  This dark stain is caused from the tannins in the water, and the ICW has several rivers that contain very high tannin levels. We can clean this stain when the boat is in the water, but it is easier to complete the job while on land.

After a wipe down with muriatic acid, a thorough wash, and 2 coats of wax the mustache problem is gone!  Keith and I both have a list of projects we hope to complete while the boat is out of the water.  As usual, Keith’s list contains items that will ensure the boat doesn’t sink, while my list consists of items that are purely cosmetic.

I am currently working to update our tub/shower in the master head.  The walls were originally some type of fiberglass board that had been painted over several times.  I sanded the prepped walls, tub, and ceiling.  The ceiling and outside wall received new paint.  The other three walls are getting covered in a waterproof tile (that is supposed to look like granite) and I plan to paint the tub with epoxy paint.  Currently I am half way through the tile part of the job.

We have also had plenty of time for fun! Fernandina Beach held an awesome event called Dicken on Centre Christmas Festival.  There were tents with crafts and food, entertainment stages, a petting zoo, and everyone was dressed up in period costumes. I’m pretty sure I saw Mary Poppins walking with the Chimney Sweep!

Anna, give me a scared face!

Pop is a good sport😁

This heron is also posing

And the pelicans are getting more cooperative!

Welcome to Florida!

Our last week in Charleston was fabulous, but very busy! We had a ‘Seafood Thanksgiving’ family dinner (Keith and I did eat turkey and stuffing the day before), attended Maggie’s 4th birthday party, had Matt & Beth spend the night on the boat with us, while dropping off our newest crew member, Anna!

Thank goodness the weather allowed our Thanksgiving celebration to be held on the upper deck.  We gave thanks for the bounty of the sea with grilled lobster tail from Maine, steamed shrimp from South Carolina, Maryland style crab soup (but the crab meat was from North Carolina).  To offset those high cholesterol entrees we added a salad and potato mash, with key lime pie for dessert.  In honor of the cruising lifestyle, we have decided to make this our new tradition.  I can’t wait until we celebrate Thanksgiving in the Caribbean where I will need to add a conch recipe!

During those few days of nice weather, we were also able to get in the kayak trip I had been promising the girls, thank goodness!!  I was very worried we would have to leave with that promise unfulfilled.  This picture might have you feeling a little sorry for Nicole, but don’t worry...

Keith and Joey were providing support in the Whaler, as it was actually a very windy day, and their help was greatly appreciated!

We made it to a sandbar that was exposed during low tide, but was covered by 6-7 feet of water at high tide.  It was very exciting to conquer the sandbar we had watched come and go for so long.

Walking on the ‘quicksand’ of the newly exposed sand was sooo fun!!

The sandbar was cut by many rivulets that carried tidal water across the surface.  This gave us the perfect opportunity to have shell boat races! 

Sadly, this was our last adventure with Lucy and Maggie (who were very sad to see us go) as it was time to continue our trip south. Next stop Fernandina Beach, Florida.  Before we left, Anna (grand daughter #4) joined us for this next leg of the trip.  We didn’t have an opportunity to have all three girls on the boat at the same time, but we did take all three to the new Frozen movie before heading out.

It was a cold and windy day so we started our trip steering from the pilot house.  Anna was eager to help at the helm.

Even though it was very windy, the best way to experience going under a bridge is from the flybridge.  Anna was a little concerned, “Grandmom, I hope we make it under there!’  We did, then we quickly returned to the warmth of the pilot house.

A flock of birds resting along the way.

Luckily, the dolphins did not disappoint!  They swam with us several times a day, and Anna was always up for a quick run to the bow to watch them.

Didn’t we just see that shrimp boat a few miles back?

Three days into this trip and it is still very cold and windy.  Grandmom is running low on creative entertainment for a 3 year old, but wait... a sheet thrown over the pilot house table makes a perfect fort.  Throw in a few kitchen items and we have a top secret cupcake facility worth hours of happy play!  Of course Pop and I had to eat a LOT of cupcakes!!

Upon entering Saint Simons Sound, on our way to Brunswick, GA, we passed the cargo ship that capsized in September.  If you look closely you can see 3 people, in the bucket at the end of the crane cable, being lowered into the ship.  Divers are currently working inside the ship to remove oil and other hazardous materials.

This ship was carrying 4,200 new cars when it capsized.  It is estimated that the removal of the ship could take a year to accomplish. Large loads of rocks have been placed around the ship to stabilize it from sinking into the sand during strong tidal flows.

The marsh is still beautiful, ever when viewed from through pilot house windows.

Keith’s patience is paying off in the photo department!  

Finally, on the fifth and final day of our trip we were able to spend time outside!!  The wind died down and the temperature made it to a balmy 73.  We were able to have lunch on the bow with the dolphins.  Anna names each of the dolphins.

Everyone needs a little hammock time.  We were relaxing in our hammock when we crossed the state line into Florida.  Between the weather and the dolphins, it was a great ‘Welcome to Florida’ feeling!

I love seeing the oyster bars at low tide.

Anchored in Fernandina Beach and hanging out with Pop on the bridge.

May you all have a beautiful sunset in the near future!