Sunday May 18: Jacksonville, FL - Home for Yesterday's Dream

An early getaway from New Smyrna made the best use of the tides and currents so we were off at 7 am.

It wasn't long before we were through Daytona and the last of the bridges under which we did not fit. It was nice to be done with them!

After Thursday's storms and rains, Friday was clear with some clouds but with a very cool north wind. It was a welcome change in the high humidity that we've been having the last few days. On to Marineland!

It's actually quite amazing how enjoyable and different this part of Florida is when compared to much of the area south of Titusville.

Much of the area is marshland so no homes. Small beaches and spoil islands (a result of the dredging of the ICW).

We arrived at Marineland Friday early afternoon after another 50 mile day, tied up and took off the bikes for a ride to the beach and through the old camping ground about 1/2 mile down the road.

This is the beach that has all of the coquina rocks - made up of compressed seashells. For more info on these rocks, CLICK HERE.

This may be our favorite beach. Steve of course was out looking for whatever he could find hidden in the rocks :-)

And we left our shoes where we thought they wouldn't get wet - man, you really need to watch that tide coming in!

Yesterday was another early morning leave time as we wanted to make the current coming in at the St. Augustine inlet - 2 hours away.

Timing was pretty good and the day of 57 miles to Sister's Creek passed quickly

We were traveling at low tide a good part of the morning - it's such a different looking water system when the tide is low. All of the mud/sand bars are visible rather than just seeing water everywhere.

The birds are out looking for food in the now exposed mud banks ...

and my favorite white pelican are sitting around on the banks as well. I've decided they only fly as far south as necessary as we never see them in the Keys.

This was the coolest house - spotted south of St. Augustine as I recall. Just thought it was so fun to look at.

Passing through St. Augustine we also spotted the tall ship El Galeon docked at the city marina.

This thing is HUGE. For more info, CLICK HERE,



The guys (I think) give you some idea of the massive size of this sailing vessel. Nice job with the camera, Steve!!

We continued on with favorable currents until we were within 10 miles of the St. Johns River - which leads us to Jacksonville.

However, the current was at that point 2 knots against us - time to just dock for the night and wait until tomorrow.

This is a great dock provided by the city of Jacksonville - at no cost! What's not to like :-) We spent the night with 2 sailboats and lots of fisherpeople.

Of course Steve had to check out what was going on with the fishing. We'll be back here for 2 or 3 days next time with kayaking/dinghying and fishing on the agenda. A really nice place.

Sunset was nice - it will be a lazy morning with a scheduled departure of 10 am to take advantage of the currents going up the St. Johns River to Jacksonville.

Up this morning on time and headed out on schedule.

It's about 25 miles up the St. John/s River so we'll be there by early afternoon.

Steve and his dolphins :-)  He motions them to come on up - sometimes it works :-)

Tomorrow? Pick up a car from the airport, spend a few days closing up the boat for 3 months and then off to Ohio with stops in S. Carolina, N. Carolina and Dayton, OH on the way to the farm :-)