Tuesday, November 6, 2012

MONDAY 11/5/2012 ST. SIMONS ISLAND TO ST. AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL MARINA

SHRIMP BOAT WORKING THE WATERS
81 NM 

The Quest crew was again up and at it early this morning with St. Augustine as our day’s goal.  The skies are blue and the temperature pleasant as we weave around the charming Jekyll Island and Cumberland.  We are lucky to see a couple of wild horses in the far distance on Cumberland.  There are many theories as to their origin but they have been known to freely roam this island fore ages.

The Cumberland Sound, known for its Kings Bay Submarine Base that homes the Atlantic Fleet’s Trident II Submarines, did not disappoint us.  The “Keep Out” signs and the vigilant patrol boat kept us from getting too near the present submarine but the binoculars and the camera’s zoom sure helps to bring things up close and personal.
GOT IT!!

AND JUST IN CASE WE DIDN'T "GET IT", THIS PATROL BOAT
WAS THERE TO KEEP US AT BAY
Moving on across the St. Mary River we entered Florida waters and made a stop for fuel in Fernandina at Port Consolidated (office--904-425-4730, cell for Willi Flannery—904-753-4258) where prices are extremely favorable.  Due to the current we had to tie up with a starboard-to and drag the fuel hose through the pilot house to the port side fills.
PORT CONSOLIDATED FUEL DOCK

DAN MANNING THE FUEL HOSE AND
 RICHARD WATCHING THE GAUGE  

CHARLENE HAPPY TO BE ON THE WATER
 
BALD EAGLE ALERT!!!!
We were rich with glimpses of wildlife today.  Dolphin would join us frequently, the lovely White Pelicans began to line the water’s edge and Dan spotted a magnificent Bald Eagle.  Lucky us!!
THE WHITE PELICANS TAKE FLIGHT
 


It was nice to see the waterways being used for commerce, as they were originally intended.  The tow Sun Merchant was pushing her barge along, headed towards the Fernandina area.
SUN MERCHANT WORKING ON THE WATERWAYS
 
As we neared the Sister’s Creek Bridge we heard chatter on the radio of her temporary closure due to some electrical glitch.  Monitoring the radio, we were happy to hear that “all was well” as we approached and were welcomed through.  These old bridges must be constantly in need of maintenance and we do appreciate those great Bridge Tenders that assist us boaters in managing our passages.

SISTER'S CREEK BRIDGE OPENS FOR THE QUEST


Thinking we had things timed just right to pass through the Bridge of Lyons’s 5:00 opening, we somehow realized that we had misunderstood the printed timetable.  Even though she opened on the hour and the half hour, she does not open at 5:00 PM due to commuter traffic.  So there we sat, so near yet so far from our destination.  We were able to catch a photo of the Great Cross erected in St. Augustine to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Mission of Nombre de Dios and the City of St. Augustine.  It rises 208’ and weighs 70 tons.
THE GREAT CROSS

BRIDGE OF LYONS
 
Once through the bridge opening we quickly tied up, checked in, cleaned up and headed to shore for dinner.  We decided on O.C. Whites where we encountered another couple waiting to be seated.  We chit-chatted for a bit then ended seated near their table.  As we were both leaving, we began to talk a little and found that David and Karen were here from Knoxville, TN and that we had met David’s mother and father in Little Farmer’s Cay a couple of years ago.  We are looking forward to seeing Valt and Sandy on Amber Isles again this season in the Bahamas.  What a small world!!!

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