Beautiful sunrise as we prepare to leave.
Left Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville Beach at 8:00. St. John's Inlet (the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to Jacksonville) was absent any large ships, so it made for an easy crossing. There was a shipyard on the north side at Sister's Creek and it was neat to see a large navy ship being worked on with all the temporary protection they utilize.
Pretty easy trip the rest of the way. Passed a railroad swing bridge that is always open except closes automatically when a train is coming - they guide says to listen carefully for the train whistle!
Made it thru! No train.
When we got to Fernandina Beach the tide was running strong and in the same direction as the wind. Our slip was beside a long dock and we needed to park between two boats with about 10-15 feet to spare (seemed like 2-4 feet!) Think of it as parallel parking on the left side of a one way street and the road keeps moving! Needless to say, Ger has a little fiberglass gel-coat work to do some sunny day. Not a big deal, but cannot be ignored. Oh well! Judie and I secured the boat, paid our dock fees and hit the bar/restaurant right there on the dock. Alcohol helps!
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| tight quarters! |
Walked around town a little bit; a tourist shop rich environment! Took a nap and rested. Two couples cruising together in their own boats that we met the previous evening in Jax Bch; invited us for cocktails aboard their 43 foot boat. Great evening, good food, fantastic folks and lots of conversation.
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| Beautiful sunset to end the day! |
Next day we took a two and a half hour boat tour of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and Cumberland Island (GA). FB is a great little port that ships almost everything to Bermuda that Bermuda needs, Cellulose and Kraft Paper from two large nearby plant (that run all night) to South America, and has some import business. Amelia Island is a nice blend of that industry and tourism. There is an old fort that never saw action and miles of beautiful isolated beaches.
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| Treasure hunting vessel awaiting paperwork to explore wrecks on Ocean side of the island. |
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| One of the 2 all-night attractions. |
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| Light brick by Spain, Dark by England, Guns by historians and made of concrete. |
Cumberland Island was developed by in the 1880's by Thomas M Carnegie and his wife Lucy and is now mostly National Park. Beautiful old ruins and new structures but very limited access. Google it because I do not have the time to write it's history - but it is a great read.
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| Spanish horses left to run wild. |
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| Park service dock |
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| Ice house. |
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| One of a vey few private residences. |
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