Florida to Georgia

Leaving from Ortega Landing in Jacksonville, Florida and our friends old and new.
Left early as the bridge was closed after 8:00 am.

Here we are in Fernandina, Florida at the oldest bar in Florida.  It started
as a shoe store and when the sailors did not buy shoes they changed to
a bar and guess what ?  Apparently men in those days preferred beer to shoes.

My (Tom's) hobby after the trip.
Decoupage maps unto oyster shells.

We social distanced dock tails with this group. Always great to hear
their stories and experiences. We left Fernandina and on the way to
Jekyll Island. We entered Georgia!!

We passed Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base.
Didn't see any subs. This is the structure they pull into after a cruise to degauss the ship.
(demagnetize) 

Jekyll Island is a beautiful place.  We rode our bikes nearly around the whole
thing.  The bike path led us to the Millionaire row where wealthy folks had built these
huge mansions. 

When we got back from our bike ride we found our burgee had
blown off and a nice boater found it and placed it under a bleach
jug so we would find it.  Tom repaired the torn piece and cleaned it up!

This is a huge car hauling cargo ship that rolled over near the inlet of an ocean inlet.
It was miss loaded when it came out of Brunswick.

Catching up with Sea Lord - Joe and Robyn.  We first met
them in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  Georgia's beautiful marsh lands
on the right.

We set an anchor alarm at night and if the boat tracks out of the circle an alarm sounds and
we know we have a problem  (we we set it correctly). 
Here in Cresent River we had a 6ft tide so current changes direction twice during the night.
That's why our track made a circle.

Tom's early coffee time! He caught this picture and I am grateful that
he lets me sleep and see the pictures later.  I think this one will
will be hanging on a wall someday.

This is how you fill your bike tires on a boat (scuba tank).
I am so glad that we bought these bikes.  We tease each other that we should have
leather jackets with Maggie Jo lettered on the back.  We have been able to see so much more. 

Jacksonville

For sheltering in place we are not suffering too bad, this is our marina.
Maggie Jo is in the background in the center of the photo. The
pool is still open but we are not using it.
They even have free laundry which Angie loves.

Maggie Jo at rest, she fits right in. Our friends Sea C Rider
are across from us just a few slips down.  And friends from Sturgeon
Bay, Wisconsin are one dock down from us. This gives us some
safe social distancing opportunities.

Something new to us. The first time I ever saw Spanish Moss
 I thought they should clean it off the trees.
Now I can appreciate it.

It even grows on overhead lines.

Social distance dinghy ride.
Dinghy's from Cedar Falls, IA, Tennessee, and New York.

Angie living the dream.

I "pimped" the dinghy after getting a new outboard.
Added a fire extinguisher and a stainless steel outboard lock.
PS - It still goes about 24 mph solo.

When we bought our boat we named her MAGGIE JO
 after our mothers, Margaret Lyng and Josephine Rusert.

In a coincident, when we open MAGGIE JO's stern door
 most on the letters get covered, so then it spells "MA".

When your spending extra time at a marina without running around the area much it's boat task list time. Changed engine oil, bought more oil from CAT for another change before we get back to the Great Lakes, fixed a deck faucet fresh water leak, updated software for the chart plotters, updated chart plotter maps, updated IPad maps, cleaned bikes, polished some the the  boat, changed zinc anodes under the boat (a diver was near by, so I let him do it, too lazy to drag out my gear in low visibility water), changed or cleaned the eleven engine zinc anodes, dinghy mods.,  and re-routed holding tank vent (fun). Maybe it's time to do some fishing, as in a week or so we will be out of  Florida and into Georgia or I will have to buy another license.

Saint Augustine & Jacksonville

Anchored out in Tittsuville, Florida -can never get enough of these skies.
If you told us to write a book about  this adventure we could have not
dreamed this plot.  We thought the river system had twists and turns we
could have never predicted this.  Sheltering in place and social distancing on our little
home on the water ( Maggie Jo)  is our safe place.  

This is Daytona Beach- they tell us that there are usually cars and the beaches are
full of people.  We walked around here and enjoyed the Atlantic ocean on our toes.  

St. Augustine, Florida oldest city in the United States.  We enjoyed biking around with Sea Lord (Rob & Robyn)
and Sea C Rider (Pam & Mike) We could not go into any of the buildings but we did explore !

Here we are at The Castillo de San Marcos . It was an amazing structure. At one
time the villagers moved into the center of the courtyard and farmed there.  I cannot imagine
having to wear the clothing they did in that time and farm in this heat.  

Standing in front of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Known as America's first parish.
  I don't like large crowds so I got to ride bike around with four other friends and see
St. Augustine with out bumping into people.

As we motored by we saw many cruise ships in port. Makes you realize how
much our world has changed in these last few weeks. We are blessed and grateful for all we have been able to see.  

Then you see the ships from all over and remember that this is
a world problem not just the USA.  Praying for healing and peace
during this time.  Dear Lord: When we are overwhelmed in fear, overwhelm us with your PEACE.  

As of March 27th we traveled to The Ortega Marina in Jacksonville, Florida. Sea C Rider is down a few slips from us. Friends from Sturgeon Bay that completed the loop last year (Tom and Carol Haak) live here full time.  This picture
is a group of us social distancing during docktails.  The boat ahead of us is a couple from Cedar Falls.  On the loop you never know who you will be traveling with next.  Some of our friends have gone home and some are few marinas behind us.  No matter ...we are safe.  The boating community is a supportive group and at each Marina you learn new things. 
We will keep you posted at what our plans are....
"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord."  Jeremiah 29:11.