We entered the Intracoastal Waterway on June 7th and headed for our first stop, Vero Beach. Excellent facility with everything a transient could want: super nice, air-conditioned bath facility, large laundry, boater’s lounge, propane pickup/refill service, free bus to beach, Publix, West Marine, and dining! We also re-united with fellow Loopers from Season 2, Dave & Denise, who traveled with us down mighty Lake Michigan. Their boat is on the hard for engine repairs and they are staying with family in Vero Beach. We had a nice dinner together and they shuttled us to town for the large stuff – bottled water, drinks, and 2 new fans!! It is really heating up here now!
We spent a night on the hook on route to Titusville Marina, where we took delivery of Steal Away 21 years ago. While in Titusville, we visited the Kennedy Space Center. Awesome facility! We saw the enormous VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building), launch pads, rocket ship Apollo, Shuttle Atlantis, and even rode the Shuttle Launch simulator. Very cool!
We anchored at New Smyrna Beach and spent a night at Palm Coast Marina on route to St. Augustine. We’ve been getting underway early each day in an attempt to dodge afternoon thunderstorms. Sometimes we’re successful, other times we get a little wet. We purchased a hand-pump to bail the dinghy each morning!
We arrived in St. Augustine just before noon and decided to walk to the Sailor’s Exchange (think big thrift store for boaters) and have lunch across the street at the Cheese Wheel, about a mile from the marina. Just as we crossed the San Sebastian River, big raindrops were pelting us! We dove into the Cheese Wheel just before the skies opened up. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch while the storm played out. When it settled to just rain, we visited the Sailor’s Exchange; I wanted the used boat A/C unit, but we left with only a new dock line to replace the one we snapped back on Mackinac Island.
Walking back to the boat reminded us of Charleston. The streets were flooded from the deluge. We made our way back to the boat trying to avoid mud puddles and splashes from speeding cars. We enjoyed our two days in St. Augustine; we walked across the Bridge of Lions, took the Trolley Tour, walked the streets in the old city and, of course, sampled a few of the numerous restaurants that spill out onto the streets. Shared stories over coffee with new friends and future Loopers, Ed & Judi, living aboard Claire, Kady Krogen 42’.
Next stop, Jacksonville Beach where we could take a short Uber ride to Walmart to provision and re-fill prescriptions. Enjoyed the best fried shrimp dinner at Mavi Waterfront then visited with newly engaged Emily Keichel and fiancée Adam back at the marina.
Our final stop in Florida was Fernandina Beach. I was skeptical as the last time we were here (21 years ago bringing Steal Away home to NC), the marina was silted in. You could only tie up on the outside face dock as the boats inside at slips were sitting in the mud at low tide. YUCK! Well, we were pleasantly surprised. The marina has been dredged and only re-opened a year ago following major repairs from hurricane damage. Top-notch facility with attentive and knowledgeable dockhands. Very nice walking town with numerous restaurants, boutique shops, and ice cream!! Jim had a nice prime rib dinner at the Salty Pelican where we were forced to have “train shots” at the bar each time a train passed by right in front of the restaurant and blew its whistle😊.