April 9, Day 288 – Palm Coast to St. Augustine

We were up early this morning as we had determined we needed to leave at 8:00 a.m. We had three things that factored into our departure time: (1) We needed to leave Palm Coast at sometime other than low tide (remember we ran aground when we entered and tried to dock); (2) we needed to pass the Matanzas Inlet at high tide as the area had heavy shoaling and many boats had run aground; and (3) we needed to arrive at St. Augustine at slack tide when there was no current. After checking all the tide/current charts for the three areas, Gerry decided 8:00 would be best for our departure.

Our departure was great – no problem leaving the canal and getting back out to the Intercoastal. The passage through the Matanzas Inlet was uneventful for us, but not for a sailboat that was in front of us as they ran hard aground. With the heavy shoaling, the word passing through the boating community, including word from the Coast Guard, was to hug the red marks. The sailboat went down the middle of the channel even favoring the green. We had tried calling them on the radio, but they didn’t answer. Linda even ran down to the bow and hollered at them to head to the red marks, but it was too late. There was no way we could get to them to pull them off, nor could the other boats that were behind us. It was a job for Tow Boat U.S.

We continued on our way arriving at St. Augustine around 11:00. It was very windy and there was still a bit of current, but we decided to give docking a try. After first stopping at the fuel dock to get diesel we headed to our slip and docked without any problems.

Later in the afternoon we, along with the gang on Second Star, walked through town and down to a marine surplus store. On our way back to the boat we passed San Sebastian Winery and decided to go in for the tour and wine tasting. We had a good time and ended up buying a few bottles to take back to the boat.

We had happy hour aboard Second Star and were also joined by Ted and Nancy from Aloha Friday. It turned into an “extended happy hour” but around 10:00 we called it a night and went home to bed.

When we left the canals in Palm Coast, it looked as though it could start raining any minute. The forecast had called for rain overnight, but none came.

As we traveled on, the sky to the west became very dark and y0u could tell it was raining.

See -- this confirms it -- the radar shows a storm area on the left (to our west)

This is looking back at the Mantanzas Inlet area. The sailboat is hard aground. They should have been over to the west where Second Star is at.

Some white pelicans on a sand bar

Approaching Crescent Beach Bridge

Approaching the Bridge of Lions. The bridge in front (the Bridge of Lions) was taken apart over the past four years and totally refurbished. The bridge behind it was a temporary bridge that was built and used only while the Bridge of Lions was being refurbished. Now they are in the process of tearing down the temporary bridge.

St. Augustine from the water as we were entering the marina

A close up of the two bridges. Here they are taking down the center span of the temporary bridge. We were told it will take 90 days to tear down this bridge.

Here's a shot of Gerry standing on the dock awaiting Second Star's arrival

On our walk up to the marine surplus store, we passed this very unusual watercraft on the river. It had signs on it, one of which said it was an "Earth Ball". We wondered how the occupant(s) got to the chairs on top.

Cute sign that pretty much tells it like it is