May 28, 2012 - St. Simons

Beryl hit land in Jacksonville after midnight last night.  We awoke at 0115 to a driving rain and rolling seas.  Awoke again at 0600 much to the same except the direction had changed.  We've already decided to stay in port again today as we have a couple of big water inlets to pass on our way northward, and we want to make sure the seas are a little more calm before we start out.

It's 1100 now and we've been taking advantage of our down time to clean all the interior teak with Murphy's.  SeaGlide is really starting to shine now even if it is a little ominous looking outside at times.

May 27, 2012 - St. Simons

With Beryl looming off the coast, we've decided to stay in port today and not risk anchoring out tonight, which was our original plan.  The storm promises to delay our trip at least 1 day and most likely 2-3 days.  We'll just have to watch and see what happens.

It's 1000 and the clouds are rolling in now and wave activity is picking up.  The dockhands are making the rounds securing everything down.  I went out and spoke to them, and they say SeaGlide is looking good.  All we can do now is weather the storm...

Once Jeff returns from his bike ride, we'll go ahead and secure the bimini, then start the hurricane party : )  Here's some pics from Jeff's ride.

We met a wonderful couple, Jim & Pam Shipp, and we were able to spend more time with them today.  They're platinum loopers having completed the Great Loop twice and have some great stories of their travels.  They have a beautiful Defever 49 named Silver Boots.  We greatly enjoyed our time with them.

As the day drew to a close a beautiful double rainbow appeared over St. Simons and SeaGlide.

 

May 26, 2012 - Fernadidna to St. Simons

We're trying to get ahead of tropical storm Beryl today.  Would you believe that it's the second named storm in a week and all before hurricane season officially even starts... While Alberto veered off and went out to sea, Beryl is headed straight for us.  Our plan is to get to St. Simon's and snug in there.

Sunrise over Fernadina

Got some fresh shrimp here for the trip

Crossed over into Georgia and passed Cumberland Island (below).  We had planned to stop here and spend some time, but think it better to make it a safe harbor instead - maybe next year... 

Next we passed Kings Bay Naval Base complete with security boats out front watching our every move.

Kings Bay

Lots of big water today inspired my Titanic moment...  We went through two big inlets and looked out over the ocean.

 

More big water...

Sea spray



The Coast Guard continually makes announcements over the VHF radio today concerning the storm, rip currents, etc.  In fact the railway bridge at Fernadina is now closed until further notice - luckily we made it out before that happened.  I'm already getting anxious to make harbor at St. Simons. 

St. Simons Lighthouse

Morningstar - Golden Isles marina is the perfect site for snugging in.  Made use of the courtesy car to stock up on supplies and readied SeaGlide for her first tropical storm.

Not a cloud in the sky as we prepare for Beryl







May 25, 2012 - Jacksonville to Fernadina

Our departure was delayed in getting out of Jacksonville due to investigation of a leak at the raw water intake pump.  Jeff determined that the pump itself was not leaking, but the leak is at the coupler. At noon we finally pulled out of Jacksonville on our way to Fernadina. We both love Fernadina and are looking forward to plenty of Pirate Juice once there! 

We crossed the St. John's where several large boats were out of the water.  I took over the helm and got to master ess curves.  The whole day was incredibly scenic...

Out of the water...                                  Another bridge opening -

                                                              we sure know how to stop traffic...

Silos outside Jax                                     Captain

In route to Fernadina

 

Egrets

Industry

And finally Fernadina.... we've been looking forward to this all day

Our favorite pub is still here

Heading in for some Pirate Juice at last...

 

Our first harmonica serenade - he also makes excellent boiled peanuts!

Here since the 1890s

Sunset after another perfect day

SeaGlide at night

 





May 24, 2012 - Marineland to Jacksonville

Started the day watching the sun rise over the Atlantic from the Marineland Dolphin Adventure observation deck - absolutely beautiful!!

I followed up with a long walk down a deserted beach collecting shells...

My buddies, Pip

 

and Charles...

while Jeff answered emails... can you tell which one of us is retired?? 

We really hated leaving Marineland - the only thing it's missing is a nice restaurant.

Once underway we made it through the tricky Matanzas Inlet - several boats ran hard aground here yesterday.

 

 

Barely snuck under this bridge...

Then it was to beautiful historic St. Augustine.  Unfortunately we didn't have time to spend here, but hope to next year.

St. Augustine

Bridge of Lions

 

Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine

Me at the helm

 

Wild fires



On to Jacksonville to meet up with my dad, Uncle Lee, Aunt Ruth, cousin Leigh Anne and her two children, Payton and Hannah and cousin Kelli.  So SeaGlide had her first visitors as we took them for a ride in Jacksonville.

Dad, Lee, Jeff, Payton, and Ruth

Dad and Payton

Hannah and Jeff

Leigh Anne