Cruising with the Cripple

With the understanding that the Captain wasn't to lift more than six pounds or strain on any lines, etc., Passage departed Titusville at 8:00 a.m.  We discovered that the grassy bottom from over a month in a hot marina had really slowed the boat.  Of course, the knotmeter didn't work either.  Still, we motored to Daytona Beach on a record tying day:  It was 95 degrees!  I told Sue that I was melting, so we abandoned our anchoring plans and headed for the shore power and air conditoning of Halifax Harbor Marina.  We arrived at 3:30 p.m. after traveling 42 nautical miles; and after cooling the boat, pulled the knotmeter and cleaned an unbelievable grassy growth from the paddles.  I cannot imagine what is on the bottom.  We showered, grilled and ate pork tenderloin, and went to bed early.

Day two began with a 7:05 departure.  The goal was St. Augustine, but temperatures only in the mid 80s encouraged us to stretch our day.  We really enjoyed our screened cockpit, as we were hounded by nasty green flies that reminded me of a cross between deer flies and horse flies.  I received one nasty bite while Sue was at the helm because she wanted the screen open at the helm for better vision, and of course they found their way to that opening.  I was busy with the flyswatter until it was my turn to helm.  Then the screen was closed!  We went through the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine at three and were anchored at Pine Island before five, completing a 58.4 nautical day.  A ten to fifteen knot breeze cooled the boat, and we slept like babies.

On Friday, May 13th Sue hoisted the anchor by 6:50 a.m.  There was very little breeze and temperatures rose to near 90.  In the company of our green flies, we headed north in the safety of the screen house.  We reached our original goal of Fernandina Beach at 1:30, but decided to only stop for fuel and keep going.  There was absolutely no wind, but we rode a powerful current up to Kings Point Navy base, reaching GPS speeds up to 8.6 knots.  Unfortunately, a little while later the current turned against us and the wind picked up, and we made 5 knots, eventually dropping to 4.5 knots over the bottom.  It was a good thing that we were going slow, because a nasty squall at the north end of the Cumberland River missed us by only a few miles.  What a lightning show!  We arrived at Jekyll Island at 6:40 p.m., completing 70 nautical miles.

 Our plan was to spend two nights here as a nasty front is coming through tomorrow.

We are in day two at Jekyll Harbor Marina.  I hosed the ash off the boat from the Okefenokee Swamp fire.  Sue did a load of laundry with the free tokens the marina provides for staying two days.  We borrowed the courtesy car and picked up some groceries and ice cream cones.  We barely got the screens down and isenglass enclosure up before the heavens opened big time.  Passage was powerwashed, and we listened to the thunder as it rolled across the sky.  It was nice to be at the dock enjoying this free wifi.  Tonight we will eat at the restaurant at the marina.

Early tomorrow morning we will be off.