Friday April 20: Change of Command

Sitting in the living room overlooking the Neuse River at Matt and Wendy's place seemed very strange. This is one of the large bodies of water that needs to be crossed in good weather as it can get quite rough. Following the ICW, we've been within 10 miles of their house both on the way north and on the way south last year. The plan is to stop with the boat as we travel north in a month or so. Fozzi has his new dog door - it was quite interesting how Matt and Wendy ended up being able to put in a door that has a ramp on one side and steps on the other.

d Anyway, the Change of Command Ceremony was really cool. Approximately 200 of the 600 marines who are now under Matt's command took part in the ceremony during which the command of the unit was officially passed over to Matt. Part included the passing of the Marine Corps flag from the outgoing command to Matt as the incoming commanding officer.

Once the command was officially turned over, Matt had the opportunity to make a few remarks. He really did a nice job :-) The ceremony was concluded by the marines marching past the new commander with orders of "eyes right". Very fun - and the rain held off (actually it just never showed up) but it was quite cool as the sun decided to stay behind the clouds most of the day. Guess we have really gotten used to warm weather!

Afterwards was a reception for Matt on base. It was fun to see Matt's name on the sign along the road to where the reception was held!

In the meantime, Steve and I were able to stay at the transient quarters on base - just like a very nice hotel :-) We have moved over to Matt and Wendy's home on base to spend a few more days with them. Matt's mom (Linda) and his brother (Tim) and his family were able to come up from Charleston to join in the celebration.

There was a quick trip by car to Beaufort and Morehead City - both are on the ICW - so it was fun to see places we have been by boat. It's very different seeing them from the land side! We'll be spending a few more days here (Becky will be flying in tomorrow to join in the fun) and then it's on to Ohio for a couple of weeks with time spent between the farm and Cleveland.

For now, the blog will continue when we return to the boat in early May!

Thursday April 19: Cherry Point Marine Corp Air Station

For a couple of people who own only what is on their boat, we sure do seem to find enough stuff to haul around! We left Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon thinking that driving part way to Matt and Wendy's in North Carolina would be a good idea. Ended up somewhere in South Carolina for the night and finished driving to their place yesterday. Sure is nice with them on the East coast for a change!

More to report later this week - including some pictures of the change of command.

Monday April 16: Jacksonville - Finally!!

Saturday was a perfect day for a bike ride around St. Augustine. We took on all of the tourists who were out and about until we were able to get to the sidestreets. The marina downtown was pretty full - maybe because it has been so windy and everyone is just waiting it out. The Bridge of Lions crosses the ICW here - it's a new bridge but the lions are the old lions. Best thing found was the self serve yogurt place!

dlk sad flsdfj sl;sfd sadil;sdf fsdi;sd dfio sdfio sdiosdf sdfiosdf fdio;sdf sdfisdf fsio;sdfi js fisd sdf iosad dio;sadf sdilsdj sdfiosd jsfdio;sd js dfd

The brick streets and sidewalks reminded me of the streets in Loudonville which used to be brick. Fun to look at but not very fun to ride on as they are very uneven. We ended up staying another day (Sunday). It gave us a day to relax a bit. We found a flea market but not a very good one (Peter and Cheryl have their car here so they hauled us all over the place with them.) Then it was up early and off this morning at 8 am. We said our goodbye's to Peter and Cheryl with a promise to meet up with them at some time and place. We have really enjoyed our travels with them and are quite sad to see it end :-(

kjsdfsdf sdflsdf siosdf sdfio;sd sdiosdf dfiosai sf d sdfi;osd jifdiosad jisiose jsfiosdai osdij sfiosdj siosd siosd sfdiosdi sdfiosad jisd iojsd ios dsd

Passing by St. Augustine and it's beautiful buildings of Flaglar College was a treat - truly a beautiful view from the water. Most of the travel today was in relatively small rivers or canals. I didn't remember northern Florida to be this marshy - it's more like Georgia. Still there are large homes along the waterway so it's easy to remember we haven't left Florida yet.

lksdfsdflksdf sdfopsko p'we pweok wefopwefq'p we klsd 'fopsdf fopsdf sfopsfd fo'sako sfo'as s 'osdf iosfioseio ewio ;ei eio; ef i efioef jie ai o; efi ef

Different sightings: cranes nesting in a very tall electric tower, a huge sailing ship on the St. John's River and an eagle sitting on a ship container crane! It looked as though it owned the world:-)

lsdfjkl sdfl;sdf isdfio;sf iwefioei jejio ;efi eai;efji efie eioei eie i;eieaie eio;aeji ei eiei eji fjioei eji ejio;eai e ioe ijoe eo; efoi;a e fjiaeoi;e io;a ji;eji e; a

Another first today: we were stopped by the coast guard as we made our way to Jacksonville. It was for a safety check. I continued moving up the river while they dropped 2 guys onto our boat to do the inspection. The only thing we were missing was the oil placard. It had been on one of the fuel tanks but then we painted the tank! So they gave us one of those and sent us on our way. So finally after an almost 10 hour day on the water, we are nicely sitting at our dock. Both of us are beat. Not sure why it is so tiring .....

Saturday April 14: A First for Everything .....

Yesterday's leaving of our canal anchorage was much easier than coming in because the tide was at a high point instead of a low point. Out of the cut and on our way - no bumping bottom this time! Before we left we did experience a visit from a gentleman on shore with a towel around his waist, his doberman at his side and a scowl on his face. I'm thinking he didn't like us anchored in 'his' canal?? I waved. He chose to not wave back - oh well :-) Off we went .... for a while. The engine appeared to be running a touch hot so we stopped and Steve cleaned out the water intake for the engine but didn't really find enough seaweed and stuff to limit the flow of water all that much. Then he spotted the real issue: a very loose fan belt! No problem, tightened the fan belt and away we went.

sa f;afj ;saij f;s fji;asj f;saof so; f;oa jiosfi jsfj;siad ji;saoj io;fsaji as;ijof ji;oas i;sfai safdji osdjfs;josfdjfsjfji aso;fd jo;a ji;ao fjsao;

Our friend the dolphin showed up about this time - riding along in the wave on the side of the boat. Surprising how long it stayed with us! Then the first for everything happened: breakdown while traveling. First I lost the tachometer and then the voltmeter (reading how much the alternator is putting out). Must be a loose ground wire like the last time. Steve was looking for it but now an alarm was going off. Who knew we had a hot water alarm! With water in the radiator boiling, we pulled to the side of the channel and dropped the anchor. Turns out the fan belt is now BROKEN - no wonder the engine was running hot. Peter and Cheryl offered to tow us until we could get it fixed but we knew we would pay forever for having to be towed by them (sort of how Jim/Linda never let Peter forget that they towed Surona on the rivers). After replacing the belt, checking the engine for overheating (using a laser thermometer) and refilling the antifreeze tank, we were off and on our way. Let's hear it for all of those spare parts we carry!

skja dfs;oiaf ij;fjweias;isjiofsio;as jiof;a;ji

af;fa ;ifsio jfwae;ji awl;ieij ;aio;awio; we; iowa;waijfwe ;ijaw ;aw a;awfio;w e;wofja j io; wefji few jiwefo;jwi;we on

It was a nice day after that although I kept waiting for something else to happen (it was Friday the 13th after all) but it was an uneventful trip the rest of the way to St. Augustine. The day was capped off with a dinner reunion with Lance and Mary from Amanzi. You may recall they are the couple from New Zealand we met in Baltimore last October. They had spent the winter in the Bahamas and we were very glad we were able to meet up with them one last time before they flew home today. They left us with some nice memories as well as New Zealand magnet that has found a home on our freezer and dish towel that will remind us of them :-) as;dfjsa; wweo; w eio; ji; aw;ojifoiwa ifjo;af iljw;ef i;weaf iowefi ;foiawi;o wef io;jw a;oa ;awoji aefji;awio;afijo;waioj;wae;ow ie;woa eji;owie ;f jio;w j;wea;owa ji;oa

This morning was spent looking for parts for both of our boats. The best find was a marine supply place with lots of pieces parts - it's just fun looking! Lunch at Hurricane Patties - home of the pirates in the area :-) Later today: bike ride around St. Augustine. It's VERY windy today. We hope tomorrow will be better as we head to Jacksonville. It's a long day of about 60 miles or so. The idea is to leave at 7 am ..... We'll travel part of tomorrow with Peter and Cheryl then at the St. John's River we go west to Jacksonville and they will continue north up the ICW. They can run from us but they won't be able to hide - we'll see them again :-)

Thursday April 12: At Anchor Near St. Augustine

First order of business yesterday was to take a bike ride around New Smyrna Beach. It is again a town that has redone it's original downtown. More and more live oaks and the Spanish moss are being seen - evidence that we are indeed moving north. We are within 60 miles or so of the Georgia border. Typical stores were on the main drag - except for the very large pawn shop. It had some fun signs - and we found 3 dvd movies for $2 apiece -what a bargain!

la'd 'ld aso 'e sa s'es'p kspfkgggggffffff rg opkrr 'sssssssssssrkop wpr ore wper pe oep epo tepr tkp ktwtkpr

The birds on the island near us this morning were putting on quite a show - especially the snowy egret (at least that's what we think it is). Very fine feathers that were puffed out - sort of like a peacock but with these wispy type feathers all around it. Last night's chore was to finally get Cheryl's bike unfolded and see if it indeed worked. Peter found a great deal on two folding bikes but with other priorities never quite had time to unfold the one that was deemed to be Cheryl's bike. So with the tires pumped up and everything in it's place, Cheryl checked it out on the dock. After all we needed to ride to breakfast this morning!

alsd a;sld fias;lif asli sd ;sd isl dil;sdi is;dlf a;s dif ;asid s;lid ;sld i;lsdi;fisl;ios ifdo o;sd ;osdi ;os ;os io;s ;ao o;sdijf sodi o; d o; o d ; i ;i

Up early for the sunrise and then off to breakfast. The dock master suggested the Drugstore which we thought a bid odd but he said the food was good and it was an old time drugstore with a lunch counter. Definitely lived up to our expectations! Kind of like stepping back into the 60's. Now that we all have bikes, it was an easy ride around town.

slk asid ;asi ;soj;ai df a;i ;a;o iosad ao; s;odi ;a odi ;soa fidsoa; idoif os osajidf osaid soaid oas;i ioadi sa;od o;soi oifso;i osd oif a;o

Cheryl decided she really likes her bike - even if she does get some strange looks from the locals! Back to the boats and it was time to be off.

sk siad; asd jiasod e;as hiewe ;sd iosd a;sod sodiaido ;osdi iosd jao; isodi oadio joiwe sdoi so;i sao iasoi iofj;ai io; odi sjewiu euow ie ao oweiu oooif oaw

Most of the travel today was interesting as the waterway has narrowed so there are either marshes with wildlife or else homes - sometimes a mix of both. The ICW is more narrow along this stretch (past and north of Daytona Beach) and there is always the reminder to stay in the channel as it is shallow not that far out! as da; fld l;a d;adk l j;lkd jia;e fj ao jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee e erw eeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eee eeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Pelican were diving all over the place today - kind of like kamakazies with their head first slam into the water. Definitely fun to watch. Our anchorage tonight was a challenge to enter. It is a canal dug a number of years ago with the intention that there would be boat docks lining the canal for the homes along the shore. Never happened so there is now just a canal that is still fairly deep. It has shoaled at the entrance and trying to come in at near low tide didn't help. We bumped bottom a couple of time as we entered - no stopping Peter and Cheryl though as they just powered up the engine and went for it! Once in, it's a great place to spend the night especially with the 15 mph winds still blowing. Very peaceful in here though. Steve even caught a blue crab on his fishing pole! Didn't know we were far enough north yet ....

Wednesday April 11: New Smyrna Beach, FL

Serenity Island again lived up to it's name and was just a nice as when we were here in the fall. Nice place to anchor. Peter and Cheryl ended up being able to catch up to us so we spent the night rafted together off of the island. It was an early rise as the plan was to go 40 miles or so to Titusville. Cheryl is becoming quite the captain as Peter takes on the anchor duty. Let's hear it for the guys!! It's nice to be traveling with them again :-)

dfkl;' 'perko' e'pkoperko' eserkop kopserkop koperskop er'pkop erer kope rko' erko er sser ker o'ro kerko' kop perko ekop op erkop ser

This is kind of a boring part of the ICW in that we are traveling on the Indian River - which isn't really a river. Just a big body of water that just kind of sits there (except near the one or two inlets that are rather small). Since we were near Cocoa about lunch time and the city provides a free dock for 3 hours, we decided to stop and check it out as we passed it by both times we have traveled the ICW. What a fun place! We found the greatest hardware store of all time with all kinds of fun stuff in it. I particularly like the giant wrenches - not that we need one but still it was fun to see them :-) Steve is on a ladder looking for just the right tool for spring clips much to the dismay of the gentleman holding the ladder. Even though the owner told Steve to just get the ladder and go up it. Oh well.

kljds io;erjio jio jio ;serjio; sio; i; se; erio i m;serlosgri serji eri; serji; jio; ser;jio erji i;se;i er jierio;ersio;er jeji er ji;erji er jio;ji er jio; ji;ejio gersji

There were ladders built in on many of the walls. They were on rails at the top and rollers on the bottoms - just like you might see in an old library. The handrails to the second floor were pipe and the catwalk to the next building was on the second floor also. This lead to another building with an upper and lower floor. Altogether I think Steve said there were 7 buildings - crazy place and they seemed to have anything you could possibly need!

asdfl;sdfjklsdfaioasdji sdfjio;sdf jsefjil;asdfji asdf jio; asdf iasdfjilasdf ji sdf il;jasdf jsdf al;isdfa jsdf ji;lasdf ji asdf il;asdf ji sa;ilasdf jiasdf il;asd jasdf ji

After a nice Thai lunch we were looking for some desert - ice cream of course. Do you think we found any nearby? Nice town - this is the 'old' Cocoa which is nicely redone. Many restaurants and stores. Again a small town that has really gone out of it's way to attract tourists. Steve tried blending into one the several murals but I think his hat gave him away :-)

sdfjklsdfaji asdf oasdfiojsdfji asdfjiop sdfaji asdfjio; asdf ji asdf;ilsda jiasdf jio; asdio asd fjio asdfio; sdf jioasdf jio; asd ji asdf jio; asdf jios adfjio; sadf

Of course it's still not all play and no work. The injector pump oil needed to be changed this morning before we left (every 50 hours of run time so about every week and a half or so). We have it down to a science now - job completed in 10 minutes start to finish and no spilled oil at all! This may not seem like much of an accomplishment unless you saw the first time we changed it - what a mess! Today was a manatee day as we literally saw dozens of them. I'm not sure why here but it was fun. Two came up right in front of the boat and dived down - good thing I was going slow and could just put the boat in neutral until they passed under us. Manatee are VERY slow moving and the greatest danger to them is being hit by boat propellers. Many areas along the ICW are slow zones just for the manatee. The marina here at New Smyrna Beach is right next to an island which is totally taken over by the birds. It may be an early morning as I'm thinking the birds will be up at dawn :-)