I have made it to Florida, and visited with my good friend Rick Glasby (the kind gentleman who keeps up my blog), and he persisted in reminding me that I have been negligent in writing my updates, so here goes:

The last time I wrote, I was moving from North Carolina to South Carolina.  I have spent nights in South Carolina just off Winyah Bay, just south of Charleston, and in Beaufort.  The only stop I went ashore at was Beaufort, where I did a wine tasting and had dinner.  Then on to Georgia.  I anchored in Thunderbolt (just south of Savannah), and in the South River.  It was finally starting to warm, and Florida was just around the corner.  In fact, I made Florida the next day, after going by the Navy’s Kings Bay submarine base, which never fails to impress me.

Navigator Entering Satellite Beach

The first stop in Florida was to anchor just off the waterway about 10 miles south of Fernandina Beach.  The next stop was St. Augustine, where I picked up a mooring in the city mooring field.  There, I went ashore, did a wine tasting (it seems I do like my wine), and had dinner with friends that I crossed the Gulf Stream with 2 years ago, Dennis and Georgia.  They were traveling in their motor home and happen to be in St. Augustine at the same time.  (Dennis and Georgia, it was good seeing you again).  The next day I made it to Daytona Beach where I anchored and it was finally a warm 77 degrees.

The Neighbor's Dock in Satellite Beach

It rained on Monday, the 14th, but I still got to Melbourne, FL and spent the night at anchor in preparation for visiting my friends, Rick and Clayton, and picking up a crewmember for several days of the trip.  On Tuesday, I went up the Banana River to Satellite Beach and docked next door to Rick and Clayton’s house, as the dock was longer next store and NAVIGATOR fit better.  I had a great time with Rick and Clayton.  In addition to feeding me, they drove me all over town so I could do repairs on NAVIGATOR, the biggest problem being I needed a new engine starting battery.  On Thursday, I had a visit from a volunteer crew member to help me get to West Palm Beach.  In the afternoon, the 4 of us went swimming in the ocean.  It was cool, but not cold once you got used to it.  Then went out to dinner, and later had a swim in Rick and Clayton’s pool, which was also cool, probably cooler than the ocean.

Clayton and Cliff on the Nature Trail

Friday we went to a park to walk the trails because it was very windy for the beach.  Had lunch in Titusville along the water, then made a stop at the famous surf shop Ron Jons.

Saturday was time to get on the waterway again.  My crew and I went to Vero Beach the first day, and tied up to RIVERDANCE, owned by John and Connie, that was on a mooring.  We all had drinks and appetizers together, thanks to John and Connie.  The next day we continued on to Stuart Florida, where we anchored and took the dinghy ashore to walk around Stuart.  Had lunch, did some walking and window shopping, then had a glass of wine.  As we were heading back to NAVIGATOR it started to rain, as we were raising the dinghy on the davits, it started to pour, and boy did I get soaked.  But it was a fun day, and a little fresh water never hurt anyone, saved on the need for a shower.

Monday we continued down to West Palm Beach.  We used the dinghy to go into town and make arrangements to get my crew to the airport the next day, and had a drink at a waterfront tiki bar.  Came back to the boat for dinner.  The next day, Tuesday, my crew had some time before the flight, so we went ashore again and had lunch, walked the ocean, came back to NAVIGATOR for a quick dip in Lake Worth, and then off to the airport.  It was a fun day.

Now I am all alone again, and it feels odd somehow, but I am sure I will get used to it quickly again.  It is time to decide about crossing, and I am pretty sure I will wait for my friends John and Connie to get ready, as well as another friend Rejean, who I met in the Abacos two years ago.  He keeps his boat in Titusville over the summer and has come down to pick it up.  He should be ready to cross in about a week or so.  With any luck, we may all cross together.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Stay in touch.  Some pictures are being added to the blog so don’t forget to visit.

Cliff

Enjoying Florida

Hi, Rick here.  Cliff is busy working on the boat, so I'm writing this entry.  He'll fill you in on the trip from the Carolinas down to Florida at some point, but right now he's tied up here in Satellite Beach, FL. 

He sailed up the Banana River to our canal, where we escorted him past the manatees to our home.

He tied up at the neighbors dock (since we lowered our dock down recently to accommodate kayaks).  We've made two trips to the local West Marine store (it seems Cliff always needs to fix something on Navigator).  But he's smiling again (at least as of an hour ago).

Navigator sets off south again on Saturday, heading down the Intracoastal Waterway.  The crossing from Florida to the Bahamas may come as early as Thanksgiving Day (seas permitting, of course).

Heading South - But Still Windy and Cool

Well, hurricane season is over, so I am proceeding down the Intracoastal Waterway as quickly as possible as it has been rather chilly this year.  I spent 2 days in Elizabeth City due to weather, it blew pretty hard the second day, and rather than try to cross Albermarle Sound in a blow, I elected to wait in Elizabeth City.  Went to the Museum of the Albermarle and looked at the history of the region.  But after the front went through, it got noticeably cooler.  In the morning when I was getting ready to leave, I was slipping all over the deck as it was icy!  Now, that is cold.  

That morning I traveled down the Alligator River and the Alligator-Pungo Canal and anchored that evening at the end of the canal.  The next morning there was no frost like the morning before, but it was still chilly.  I then proceeded to the Neuse River and spend two days in a marina called River Dunes.  The first day for a place to stay and to do laundry (I hear I smell better now!), and the next to wait out weather again.  Fortunately weather did get better, and I headed for an anchorage associated with Camp Lejune called Mile Hammock Bay for a night.  Although calm, it was still cool, hence my hurry to get south.  From mile Hammock Bay I went to Wrightsville Beach, NC, picked up 50 gallons of diesel fuel, and anchored not too far from the ocean.  I could hear it all night breaking on the beach.  

Waccamaw River

The next morning I raised anchor for Little River, SC.  I stayed in the Light Keepers Marina as it is close to a friends house, Lee Bragg,  and we had planned to have dinner together.  Lee and I worked together for many years in Elkton, MD.  We did have a good dinner, and for that I thank him.  Unfortunately, the weather had turned bad in the afternoon, and stayed that way all the next day, blowing 25-30 knots almost all afternoon.  Many of the swing bridges that one must negotiate on the Waterway will not open of the wind is blowing more than 25 knots, so I stayed put in Little River for another day, today.  It will be good to get underway again tomorrow, as it is still chilly.  Today, Lee and I went wine tasting in a local winery and had a good time.

Georgia Waterway

The weather looks pretty good for the next week, maybe even a little warmer, so I should be able to make good time heading south.  By the end of the week I hope to be in, or very near, Florida, and warmth.  I will let you know how I am progressing around mid week if the trip is not too eventful.  Sorry there are no new pictures, but the weather keeps me busy, and I don’t always remember to take them.  Please stay in touch so I know how everyone is doing.

Cliff Baker

S/V NAVIGATOR