DAY # 2 WEST PALM BEACH

We woke up to 30mph winds this morning, so we decided to stay put. We spent the morning doing boat duties, then headed off to a movie at City Center.

Didn't eat here but maybe the next time through!

There are some really gorgeous mega yachts here in the marina. I tried to post some pics but couldn't figure it out. Google Motor Vessel SkyFall......$37 million, 190 ft long......amazing !!!!!

CRUSTY COMMENTS AND OTHER STUFF

Made it to Palm Harbour in West Palm Beach today! Last time we had the miserable docking experience...this time we got it right :-) So happy :-))))

Anyhow, our chuckle from yesterday was a crusty comment from a woman on a sailboat. Can't call her a lady, as she was a bit rough around the edges. We hailed her on the VHF . She came back with a yelling "port side"....nothing else. As we proceeded to do a slow pass, she came back and in a very unpleasant tone yelled out that she could not slow down, as her fridge was running. To a non boater this probably isn't so funny, but it was to us.

This is the last Pilgrim made...same boat as TMCA friend John Allison...saw it in Vero Beach and again on ICW in Ft. Pierce. Such a beauty...as is John's 

Spent the night here on Ken and Kelly Hutchinson's great, great, great grandfather's island.....we think :-)

Party Barge

 Eagles nest above Hobe Sound

Red Scow

FOG AND FANFARE

Had a beautiful start to the morning headed to Daytona. We left at 7:30 AM under sunny skies. About 2 hours south we ran into sea fog at Matanzas Inlet. It came on suddenly and was awful . Sometimes we could see nothing.  There were 2 sailboats a ways behind us and 2 up ahead. We chatted on the VHF and kept each other abreast of conditions and visibility. We all went very slowly and were guided by our chart plotters. This event lasted about 45 minutes. The sun finally won out and the fog cleared.

We stayed at the Halifax River Yacht Club tonight. It is a reciprocal club to the Coconut Grove Sailing Club that we joined. They welcomed us warmly. Today was their Changing of the Guard. We arrived just in time to see all the fanfare and festivities for this event. All were dressed in blue and white, nautical flags on the boats, cannons, etc.

 Of course, we finished off the afternoon with an hour walk around town. Ever since I got my Garmin VIVOFIT for my birthday, I feel compelled to get in my 10,000 steps in a day....doesn't always happen :-( Downtown Daytona is a good place to walk!

Lovin' St Augustine

Arrived at St. Augustine yesterday. Usually, we stay at the Camanchee Cove Marina just north of town. This time we put on our Big Girl and Big Boy Pants and decided to stay at the SA municipal Marina....notorious for its strong currents. We figured out when slack tide was and arrived then. Docking went very smoothly with the assistance of 2 skilled dock hands and Captain John. We just LOVED being in downtown St. Augustine. It is so pretty with so much to do!!! We plan to stay there many more times on our transits to and from Florida.
Good TMCA friends, Phil and Matilde were in SA, as well. They are on their way to the West Coast of Florida. We met up with them for dinner at a fabulous local spot called GAS FULL SERVICES....food was local and delicious.  It was  just across the Bridge of Lions.

HEADED SOUTH FOR THE WINTER :-))))

After a wonderful Christmas with the girls and their families in Atlanta, we are back on Knotugal headed South. We left Hilton Head December 30 and made it all the way to Kilkenny Creek just before dark.

Sun setting as we head into Kilkenny

We got up early on  Dec.31st and had a good cruise to Jekyll Island....dodging low water and optimizing the notorious Georgia tides. We walked about a mile to the grand old hotel there and had a celebratory glass of wine in the quaint pub. We ended up chatting with a bunch of Jekyll local residents, ordered a pizza and had a wonderfully good time. We walked back to the boat in the dark following a moonlight path. It was a grand way to spend new year's and we were in bed by
10 PM.

Today, we had another early start, a relaxing cruise and arrived in Jacksonville Beach about 3 PM. After getting settled into our slip, we took a 2 mile walk to the Beach and back. Got to keep the body moving after being on the boat all day.
We had a beer and hamburgers at a cute place adjacent to the marina. So far, a great start to our trip. We are thankful! 

BOAT MAINTAINENCE IN BEAUFORT, SC

ON THE HARD

Last Sunday we headed up to Ladys Island to Marsh Harbor Boatworks for a bottom job (painting of the bottom) and hull waxing. Because we still have the evil Jake, we needed to stay at a place that took pets. We found a house in old town Beaufort on VRBO. John has been going to the boat each day to replace zincs, bolts on the swim platform and to just oversee the work being done. Good thing, because John had bought a special paint for them to use. When he got there yesterday, they had started putting on another paint.

OUR HUMBLE ABODE

CHILLIN' AFTER A HOT DAY AT THE BOAT

CHILLIN' AFTER A DAY OF DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

MIKKI'S SCHOOLHOUSE DINER IN PORT ROYAL

 While here, we have very much enjoyed the local cuisine.....Dockside, Wren Bistro, Mikki's, and the Fillin' Station. Friends, Phil and Matilde from TMCA, have their boat here for a couple of months, so we have had a couple dinners with them, One afternoon, John and I saw a movie and had the whole theater to ourselves. We even kept our cell phones on....livin' on the edge!

The LOCAL hotspot!!!

All this for $5. at the Fillin' Station....John ate it ALL!!!!

LOSS OF OUR BELOVED DORSEY

Sadly, our precious, sweet girl passed away last week.We were in Philadelphia helping Kristi and family move. Dorsey developed liver failure and started going down hill. We are thankful that our veterinarian daughter, Kristi, was there to tend to her. Kristi was at our home 14years ago when Dorsey first appeared at our front door. It was comforting to us that she was there with us and Dorsey in her final hour.
We miss her terribly. She was so much a part of our life. Returning to our boat,which we had left in Hilton Head, has been difficult...so many memories and reminders of Dorsey. She was so loved!