March 23 St. Augustine to Jacksonville

March 23

Despite COVID-19 we still had an enjoyable time in St. Augustine.  Russ and Jax on “InQuest” arrived early on Sat. while the current was still ripping which gave us all a good workout wrestling it to the dock and getting it secured.  Shortly afterward we spotted Jamie and Trish on “About Time” approaching.  Bow into the current and extra hands to secure lines made it easier as they tied up for the final time on their Great Loop adventure having now crossed their wake at their starting point.  We celebrated by replacing  the worn out white burgee with their new gold one as we toasted  with champagne and then finished things off with a round of  well-known looper beverages called mini-beers (a half shot of Liquer 43 with some heavy cream floating on the top).  After that everyone was pretty well worthless for the rest of the day.

Jamie and Trish from "About Time" swap out their worn out white flag for the gold

Mini-beers!!!

On Sunday Martha and I took a walk across St. Augustine’s iconic Bridge of Lions to a mostly deserted downtown. The amount of history here always fascinates.  Ruled by both the Spanish and British at various times with history going back to the 1500’s.  The formidable Castillo de San Marco still guards the entrance to St. Augustine inlet and Henry Flagler’s ultimate tourist hotel now serves as the centerpiece to Flagler College.  So much to see in just a few blocks walking distance!

Empty streets in the historic district 

Henry Flagler's opulent hotel - now Flagler College

Some tourist guy at the Castillo de San Marco 

Some tourist lady at the Bridge of Lions

Time to leave for Jacksonville today.  We considered making the long run to Ortega River in one day but decided instead to break it into 2 more reasonable days.  So today we headed north to Jacksonville’s free city dock on Sisters Creek.   This is pretty much at the intersection where the ICW crosses the St. Johns river and just a little bit inland from the inlet.  It’s a bit isolated.  No power although they do have a pumpout and water.  Also had a friendly manatee swim by the dock a few times.  Seemed more curious than normal poking his whole head up and looking rather than just his nostrils coming up for air. 

"Nosey" manatee checking us out 

Great fishing in waters around Sister's Creek for reds, flounders and sea trout

There were already several boaters tied up to the dock but thankfully they moved one boat further down the dock and made room for us.  Two of them are loopers who are still trying to decide what to do or where to go. That really is becoming the million-dollar question for traveling cruisers.  Glad we have our plans finalized for the time being with reservations starting tomorrow at The Marina at Ortega Landing.  At least the boat has a home for a while.   

Tied to the Jacksonville city free dock

Journey for March 23