Oh, What a Perfect Day aka Safe, Sound, St. Augustine

With great relief, we found Colin to be largely uninterested in Fernandina Beach.  The wind picked up more yesterday morning than in fact throughout the night when the storm was passing.  We checked the weather at sea (the bridges along the ICW eliminated a passage on the inside) and found our friend MM provided an offshore report of wind and waves, neither particularly friendly for a St. Augustine entrance where we were particularly wary of the shoals shifting due to the storm.  We draw 6.5 ft and given the depths of maybe 10 ft, sea condition is very important.

We opted for a ‘tear up the boat’ and test the water maker morning.   We had not completed that task when Tom, Thomas’ dad, popped in to check out the boat.  An experienced sailor, he queried us on our past and our plans (and followed us when we set off from FB).   Thomas arrived and invited us to join his family for a beach day.  The kids were all just a wee bit excited.  We spent much of the day playing in the water and watching what appeared to be a rather calm sea…

Kids elated in the surf

Gherty at the helm

Sub at FB

Sub

We arrived about as close to low tide as one could nervously get approaching a shoal shifting channel.  Sea tow assured us that we should have at least 10 feet all the way in.  And right they were.  Our docking was stalled by the lift bridge (this one opens ALL the way!) and a timed opening.  Our hovering allowed me to write this post.  And now on to being a good crew hand!

Bridge St. Augustine

Happy Captain