5/19/2010 NEW SMYRNA BEACH MARINA TO ST. AUGUSTINE MUNICIPAL MARINA

After checking in with the marina and receiving information about possible silt problems in that part of the ICW we would be traveling through today, we opted to exit here and make today’s journey in the ocean. On our way out of the channel we saw net fishermen and another light house, the Ponce de Leon, for Charlene. Once we reached the sea we found no bugs, so silt and calm seas!!!

CASTING HIS NET

PONCE DE LEON LIGHTHOUSE LEAVING NEW SMYRNA

Even though I have been enjoying the constant visual stimulation in the ICW, I was quite ready to head out for a day on the sea. We viewed Dayton Beach from afar and kicked back for some relaxation. Oh yes, I forgot, Dan put out the fishing lines. By 1:30 we had a fish on the line and Bruce brought in his first fish ever. Go Bruce!! Thinking this fish was a Mackerel, we cut it loose but on further research we discovered it was actually a Little Tunny. Good for us that by 1:45 we had fish #2 (another Tunny) on the line and this time when Bruce brought her in we saved her for tonight’s dinner.

DAYTONA THROUGH THE HAZE

FISH ON THE HOOK!!

DID YOU SAY DINNER?  NICE CATCH BRUCE!

Coming into the St. Augustine Inlet, we caught a glimpse of the 160’ St. Augustine Lighthouse and the ancient battlements of Castillo de San Marcos (built in 1672) perched right on the waterway.

ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE

CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS

ST. AUGUSTINE SKYLINE

Nearing St. Augustine’s newly restored Bridge of Lions, we called the Bridge Master and requested an opening as it looked to be a close fit. After finding out that we had just missed the scheduled rush hour opening (and the next would not be for 45 minutes), we lowered our antennas, crept up to her entrance to gauge our clearance. What the heck, let’s creep through!! With Bruce on top eyeballing the distance between the bottom of the bridge and the high point on Quest, we slowly crept under the Bridge of Lions. Home Safe!!!

APPROACHING BRIDGE OF LIONS

BRUCE ON THE LOOK OUT

CLOSE BUT CLEARING

ALMOST THROUGH

WHEW!!  WE MADE IT!

VIEWING BRIDGE WHILE SAFELY DOCKED

Immediately after the bridge we made a right into the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and made fast for the night with the bridge just off our stern and the picturesque town to our starboard.

We cooked the freshly caught fish on the BBQ and had a great dinner aboard the Quest before venturing out to explore the fascinating area around us. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. We strolled by Flagger College which occupies the old Ponce de Leon Hotel (1888) and the Lightner Museum that is in the 1887 Alcazar Hotel. Both of these magnificent structures were built by Henry Flagler. That man had a good eye. We look forward to exploring the town in depth tomorrow.

ST. AUGUSTINE SUNSET