BITS & PIECES - March 18-27

A very small sampling of the many bandoned boats we saw along the ICW - hurricanes and economy are two enemies.
                                           

MARCH 18 - Eau Gallie:  Visiting ashore - Peter has 'the whole world in his hands'...our vessel in the background at anchor

                                   Peter - Bilge Babe....working on the float switch and shower pump....

MARCH 24 - Palm Coast 
We stayed at the Palm Coast Marina, a very inexpensive $50 including electricity and water.  Clean and convenient showers, inexpensive laundry facilities, excellent client service delivery...and amazing bike trails, shopping close by.  A definite 'go back' and visit location!

Typical ICW northbound view from the upper helm

MARCH 26 - we were held up at Palm Beach Marina for 5 days, waiting for the Bridge of Lions to re-open. The nite before opening, we anchored out south of the bridge in the Mantanzas River. Before arriving there however; the US Coast Guard had been issuing many securitie memos regarding severe shoaling through-out the Mantanzas Inlet. We listened in on VHF channel 16 and heard many captains calling for tow assistance, having grounded out at mile marker 743. 

So how were we going to ensure we got through this area?

1. 
   
   do not follow your magenta line on your chart plotter....
2. 
   
   do not stay in the middle of the channel....and
3. 
   
   do not go anywhere near the green buoys
4. 
   
   you DO want to hug the reds so tight that you can 'scratch the red paint off as you pass'

Yikes!  And this was absolutely true.  As we approached thee critical area, hugging the reds also meant aiming the bow of the boat directly to the shoreline for an uncomfortably long time....and then following the contour of the shore no more than 20 feet from dry land.  Not the usual boating experience...but certainly nerve-wracking! 

                                   south of the old Bridge of Lions - boats waiting for the opening

MARCH 27 - Jacksonville Beach - note the calm waters and sunny skies - indicative of the HIGH winds, STRONG current and STORMS coming in.  We stayed at the renovated Beach Marine - fabulous brand new docks...but little else.  Although we did arrive for the month end freebie-party for boaters.  We brought a potluck item and stuffed ourselves with loads of goodies others provided:  bbq burgers, salads, desserts...and FREE BEER AND WINE!  Not a bad deal for a potluck item.