Saint Augustine to ?Jacksonville? (lowlands, tidal plain..)


Left Saint Augustine early this morning in cold wind.   The boat next to us left just a bit before us and got caught in the wind (and apparently confused) and whacked the big catamaran across the fairway from us.    I was glad he throttled out of his slip and didn't hit us but I feel bad for him and the other boat that got the worst of the deal..  


It was indeed very windy this morning.   Had to keep on the throttle in no wake zones (reasonably) to overcome a 4mph tide flow and 25mph+ winds from the same direction.  

We could literally drive 8mph and not move.... 

But that quickly changed as the angle we were traveling changed, the tides relaxed and the wind eventually dropped back.   

We eventually crossed the St John River and tucked into an inlet called the Sister Creek inlet by Sister Island.   The photo above (and below) show where we are docked. 

The Jacksonville parks department has very nice floating concrete docks and allow tie up for up to 72 hours.   We will be here about 18.  

You wouldn't know from looking at the photos but Florida is attempting to become Michigan.  We had lows in the high 40s overnight and it was in the 50s all morning.  Plus wind.   Downright chilly. 

So now I'm thankful again for a full canvas.  We left everything closed this morning and the sun's rays coming through the plastic heated the helm up nicely.   

We are hoping for a nice peaceful stay here tonight given that the nearest town is like 30 miles away.  Too far for bikes or dinghy.  

Defense contractors are easier to find here.  BAE systems is just across the creek from us and working on large ocean-going ships including some military.  Giant dry docks.   Of course it's also across the St John River from the Mayport Naval Station.   We hear the jets and helicopters coming and going over us here but otherwise it's very isolated.  Not even a bridge across the river nearby.  (Although there is a bridge over this creek on this side of the river so we hear that traffic a bit..)

The area near the ICW southeast of Jacksonville is basically a wide trench with lots of expensive homes on it .   And some normal homes.   A surprising number of normal homes.   People have lived here for decades and worked in the area it appears as some of the houses are definitely not high end.... Just a shack down by the river that hasn't ever sold....

A shorter journey today .. just under 40 miles. 
Post edit:  Gorgeous sunset tonight ...  Tide is ripping through here.  Glad we are tied to a dock. 









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