We finally made it to Florida but our grand entrance to the Sunshine State was not how we had envisioned.
Weighing anchor in St Marys, we head for Fernandina Beach, FL, 10 miles away. Our plan was to pick up a mooring and spend a week to work on our teak and other maintenance work. An easy trip – so we thought.
Coming around St Marys river where it meets Amelia river, the sky opened up, rain started to pour, the temperature dropped with wind gusting to 40 knots; this is also where the ocean entrance channel is located, making the seas very rough and our boat bouncing like a toy boat in a bathtub (this was not in the weather forecast). Fortunately only 5 miles of this nonsense before we get to the protected ICW.
Coming into Fernandina Beach harbor, we figured we can quickly pickup an empty mooring and call it a day – not so fast. Approaching the mooring at 40 knots wind, we knew we needed to control the boat by maintaining speed, get to the mooring ball where Claudia has only seconds to uses the boat hook, pickup the mooring lines and attach to the boat. As we steadily approached the mooring ball, Claudia yelled out “there’s no line attached to the ball”. We backed up quickly and abandoned this ball. We went to another one, then another, but non of them has lines attached. We then looked at each other and said “that’s why these mooring balls are empty. Let’s go and anchor”.
Anchoring in 40 knots wind was not easy, especially in a busy harbor full of boats. Anchor needs to be lowered quickly and digged-in before the boat starts to drag or we risk running aground or worse, hitting other anchored boats. This all happens while other skippers “evil-eyes” watches on and ready to yell or giving us nasty looks if we end up too close to them. First two tries failed as we started to drag. We picked up the anchor and tried again. Third time the anchor held and we were secured in a decent location. We went down below shivering but relieved before making some hot tea and changed into some warm dry clothes.
Welcome to Sunny Florida.
Wow- this episode reads like a suspense thriller! So glad Fujiko has such a good captain and first mate! Hope u have a nice restful stay. I look forward to hearing about St Augustine. It’s one of our favorite cities with such local flair and lots of history! Luv u 😘
Hi Trish, Happy Thanksgiving!! Today we wear only yoga pants 😜. I can’t wait to visit St.Augustine ( it’s rated as one of top Christmas light in the country) 🎄🎄🎄 I think that may be my favorite city 🧐. Hope we can get there safely 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻( today we are fogged in, which means Black Friday shopping in Historic district of Amelia Island). Please give your mom a big hug and kiss from the other Ms. Billings 😘
Happy you are safe and I’m sure the weather will soon be sunny (if it’s not already!)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi Janelle…. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my oldest/dearest friend (meaning the time since we were friends … thinking about 60 years?? )Janelle, happy birthday to you and many more 💕💋💕 Also, Happy Thanksgiving too!!!
You would expect a warm and sunny welcome to Florida!
Oh well, that’s boating. Always the unexpected.
Thank goodness for the new windless!
We continue to enjoy the beautifully written narrative and photos.
Happy Thanksgiving guys!
Thank goodness for the new windlass is right. I couldn’t have done this by hand having to deploy 150 feet of chain with the gust. Haven’t seen the sun in 5 days but hopefully fair weather is right around the corner. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Sharon and Andrew!
Yikes! Glad you made it without disaster. It’s a good thing you guys are so experienced! I have no idea how you “backup quickly” in a sailboat?! Hopefully you’ll get some sunshine soon.
Thanks Sandy I still can’t believe I’m doing this. Also, Happy Thanksgiving to you and Kelli .. get out yoga pants 🦃😘💕💋💕
Happy Thanksgiving🦃 Hope the sun has arrived & a little warmer.
Hi Sharon, OMG I hope the wind calms down too… we have Turkey date for 3:00 pm .. and I was going to wear a long summer dress… only how I do I wear it with my foul weather bid pants to get to shore 🧐 … Always and adventure and somthing to remember .. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too! 🦃🦃🦃
Glad that you are safe. Don’t Worry, you will enjoy the Sunshine State!
Hi Marie-France, Can’t wait to see the ☀️🌞.. thanks for all the encouragement… Looking forward to St. Augustine’s with all its lights😘
So glad you made it through another challenging situation.
Hopefully the sun 🌞 will be out soon.
Your bread looks delicious
Happy Thanksgiving Beth!!!! 🦃🦃🦃 I’m so grateful to have you as a friend 😘
Oh my goodness. That was scary and I am on land. Anchor up. Onward!
Hi Betty Ann, I’m glad the sun finally came out🌞. Yes, onward to the our next adventure 😘