It was amazing to wake up to a beautiful sunny warm sky. We had morning coffee in the cockpit. I threw in the last load of laundry. Blair and I did some testing of the autopilot right at the dock. As we got the internet up and running, Blair has been in email contact with the manufacturer of the autopilot in Vancouver. As old "Murphy" would attest: we can't get the autopilot to kick off now - groan...the joys of boating!
We packed up some bags in the back pack and ventured along Centre St to explore the area. It is so quaint - very beautiful. There is a lot of history here. It was quite the pirate hangout - the old Palace Saloon is still original and served many of the most notorious pirates in history. The old original oak saloon swinging doors are still there, and the interior is a stale smelling/cigarette smelly original scene. How fitting that we should be standing in a former pirate haven given Blair's fascination and avid interest in the history of pirates.
We picked up some groceries (just a couple of items), some fresh shrimp from the Bait Shop, and Blair got some fishing lures. He also got a few fishing tips from the fellow at the Bait Shop, as well as the young man on a boat beside us on the dock - he and his father-in-law are heading to the Bahamas for a fishing tournament beginning December 1st. With any luck, we will be catching our own fish soon! Now that will be an interesting adventure. I also bought a throw blanket depicting all of the points of interest on Amelia Island.
Randy Beck called...as did Ben Elliott. It was great to hear that they have been following us with our Spot Tracker. Those who didn't call sent emails congratulating us on our arrival in Fernandina Beach.
We really cleaned up the boat this afternoon - washed her down, inside and out - fixed up the dock lines and Blair had to repair the halyard on the mainsail again. We would like to get the boat to a point where it is cleaned up and uncluttered- we are almost there!
After dinner - garlic shrimp fettucine - we asked the crew at the Marina to get us turned around at the dock so that we would have a stress free departure in the morning. So glad we did that as the current will be on a flood and I am totally unable to swing this boat - what the hell...what kind of a sailor am I?
Andy and Isabella sent an email announcing their arrival in St. Augustine - they left here at 7am and arrived at 3pm - not a bad day. I'm sure they are relieved to be free to choose their own speed and course - but it sure was great to have them as travel companions to this point!
We headed off to bed with the alarm set for 5:30am to prepare for our departure down the ICW - destination: St. Augustine.
Some interesting facts about Fernandina Beach, Florida:
The huge paper mills here are still busy - however, better emission controls have improved the quality of air and water. A sizable commercial fishing fleet, consisting mainly of shrimp boats (Earl's Girls), lies docked above and below the marina.
The downtown historic district, a 50 block section surrounding Centre Street, is an attractive and popular gingerbread seaport dating back from the 1850's when Florida's first cross-state railroad ran from Fernandina to Cedar Key (the railroad still runs past the waterfront with occasional traffic). The area is listed on the National Historic Register. The Palace Saloon, located on Centre Street is Floria's oldest tavern.
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