Beaufort SC (2/19) to New Smyrna Beach FL (2/24)

With stops in Hilton Head (2/20), Jekyll Island (2/21), Fernadina Beach (2/22) and Palm Coast (2/23)

The ICW, especially through Georgia, is almost totally uninhabited.  The wildlife is plentiful, particularly pelicans, herons, seagulls and other shorebirds.  Bottlenose dolphins are everywhere, but will not allow their photos to be taken. (Very camera shy.) They love to swim right at your bow, then dive under the boat and come up the other side.  The other day we saw two surfing our wake.  I will keep trying to get photo

Georgia ICW

Many markers have their own birds.

Jacksonville at night

Beautiful homes along the ICW south of Jacksonville...

and these might be your next door neighbors- really!

and on the opposite side is totally undeveloped.

A very happy commander...

but who takes her chores more seriously??

St. Augustine

 

Meanwhile, we are happily cruising along, with every part working as it should.  Mal and Carol learn more everyday, and we  have yet to be boarded by the Coast Guard.  A couple of days ago we thought it was going to happen for sure, since they had 4 boats tied up when we docked at Fernadina Beach.  But they were just there for lunch.  That night we met Harold’s cousin Becky and her husband Joel, who gave us a great tour of Amelia Island, took us grocery shopping and then joined us for a nice dinner at Brett’s.

When we finally made Florida the weather changed immediately.   We left Fernadina at 11:30am on because a railroad bridge just south of us was only open between noon and 1pm,  So today we can only make it to St. Augustine.  Once again, if you’re on a boat and you have a schedule, you’re in trouble.

Yesterday we spent in Palm Coast and the a short run this morning to New Smyrna Beach, where a great art show filled the downtown.  Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are headed to Melbourne.  We cannot always get to updating the blog, as often the marina where we are docked does not have a very good wifi connection.   And I used up all the data for the month on my 4G hotspot!