Tuesday, February 27, 2007
St. Johns River, Anchored at Green Cove Springs
Tuesday, February 27, 2007. After spending the whole morning troubleshooting our computer problem, the McAfee technical help finally concluded that “there is a conflict” and we should delete the software and reinstall it. Not the way we wanted to spend this gorgeous day, but it seems to have worked. Yea! We’re back in business for the moment, although the connection is still flakey.
From our marina at Jacksonville Beach, we headed north toward the entrance to the St. Johns River. What a long, wide body of water; the river flows 248 miles into the heart of Central Florida! In the upper portion there were lots of huge ships, not only commercial freighters, but also war ships, all coming from or going out into the Atlantic Ocean via the Jacksonville Inlet. (One of the warships announced on the VHF radio that they had slowed down because they had spotted a mother and baby whale. Cool!) Passing through the Jacksonville waterfront was interesting. We saw the stadium where the Jaguars play and the Maxwell House Coffee headquarters, as well as lots of other skyscrapers. Pretty amazing.
Late this afternoon we found a peaceful, quiet anchorage near the town of Green Cove Springs. Bob was finally able to try out his new super dooper anchor, something called a Hydro Bubble. It had received rave reviews in the boating journals, so after hearing horror stories from other folks whose anchors had dragged during the night, he ordered one. The Hydro Bubble held the first time, just as advertised!
We plan to spend about a week on the St. Johns River. Even though it’s off the usual Great Loop route, many Loopers have said not to miss this scenic stretch of waterway.
From St. Augustine to Jacksonville Beach, FL
Monday, February 26. We were awakened at 5:45 a.m. by ungodly construction noises. Workers had arrived pretty darn early to continue renovation on the Bridge of Lions. After a morning of minor boat maintenance and laundry, we departed St. Augustine after lunch. We navigating the strong current and confusing route past the St. Augustine Inlet, and we found ourselves in a quiet, serene waterway. The landscape has changed again. Today we saw large stretches of salt marsh to the left and pine trees (only a few palms) to the right. Several large boats were washed up on shore. Wonder what the story is there? Unfortunately future condo construction signs dotted the idyllic shoreline. It’s only a matter of time . . . .
We are staying tonight at the Palm Cove Marina, in Jacksonville Beach. After this, we are getting off the ICW and taking a long side trip down the St. Johns River. That means we’ll be heading south again into north central Florida. It is supposed to be a wonderful wildlife-rich river diversion, quite different from anything else we’ve seen in Florida.
From our marina at Jacksonville Beach, we headed north toward the entrance to the St. Johns River. What a long, wide body of water; the river flows 248 miles into the heart of Central Florida! In the upper portion there were lots of huge ships, not only commercial freighters, but also war ships, all coming from or going out into the Atlantic Ocean via the Jacksonville Inlet. (One of the warships announced on the VHF radio that they had slowed down because they had spotted a mother and baby whale. Cool!) Passing through the Jacksonville waterfront was interesting. We saw the stadium where the Jaguars play and the Maxwell House Coffee headquarters, as well as lots of other skyscrapers. Pretty amazing.
Late this afternoon we found a peaceful, quiet anchorage near the town of Green Cove Springs. Bob was finally able to try out his new super dooper anchor, something called a Hydro Bubble. It had received rave reviews in the boating journals, so after hearing horror stories from other folks whose anchors had dragged during the night, he ordered one. The Hydro Bubble held the first time, just as advertised!
We plan to spend about a week on the St. Johns River. Even though it’s off the usual Great Loop route, many Loopers have said not to miss this scenic stretch of waterway.
From St. Augustine to Jacksonville Beach, FL
Monday, February 26. We were awakened at 5:45 a.m. by ungodly construction noises. Workers had arrived pretty darn early to continue renovation on the Bridge of Lions. After a morning of minor boat maintenance and laundry, we departed St. Augustine after lunch. We navigating the strong current and confusing route past the St. Augustine Inlet, and we found ourselves in a quiet, serene waterway. The landscape has changed again. Today we saw large stretches of salt marsh to the left and pine trees (only a few palms) to the right. Several large boats were washed up on shore. Wonder what the story is there? Unfortunately future condo construction signs dotted the idyllic shoreline. It’s only a matter of time . . . .
We are staying tonight at the Palm Cove Marina, in Jacksonville Beach. After this, we are getting off the ICW and taking a long side trip down the St. Johns River. That means we’ll be heading south again into north central Florida. It is supposed to be a wonderful wildlife-rich river diversion, quite different from anything else we’ve seen in Florida.
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Herb would love to be there spotting birds with you on this part of your journey. Sounds like a great adventure on the St. Johns River, and can't wait to hear more.
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