Jacksonville, Florida

We made it! The Ortega River Marina is our new home while we spiffy up the boat.  We hope she sells quickly but you never know...

On our way North

We thought we were done with the ICW but here we are heading back up the ICW to the St. Johns River, up the river to Jacksonville.

From Ft. Lauderville heading North stops along the way:
Lettuce Lake anchorage
Lantana anchorage
Hobe Sound anchorage
Fort Pierce Marina
Melbourne Causeway S. anchor
Jay Jay RR Causeway, Titisville anchor
Halifax Harbor marina, Daytona Beach
St. Augustine G9 marker anchor
Jackonsville City Free Dock


Sightings along the way:
White Pelicans

Pink Spoonbill

Large houses encased by netting to keep the bugs out!

Road Trip

We are still in Fort Lauderdale. We are looking at marinas that are not too costly while we fix up the boat preparing it for sale.

 We rented a car and took a road trip across Florida through the Everglades to Fort Meyers.  Here we spent some relaxing time visiting lovely Holley and Liz.  On the return trip, we drove to Key Largo for a pleasant afternoon.

Puzzle time for the sisters.

Fort Lauderdale

We crossed the North Atlantic Ocean with high seas on our stern to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, USA.  We spent 3 days on a mooring ball at Las Olas and took the dinghy to shore to stroll the massive beach.  The beach boardwalk is lined with bars and restaurants packed with happy tourists.

We then went up the New River, which was very narrow and a challenge negotiating the many tight turns, especially when large mega yachts were heading our way.  We plan to explore downtown Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area while we wait for a doctors appointment for Ken.

Bimini Islands

From Nassau, we crossed to Whale Cay in the Berry Islands group.  It was a rough voyage with high seas. We then sailed 50 miles and anchored for the night in the Great Bahama Bank.  We are now in Alice Town, North Bimini, and plan to catch a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream to Fort Lauderdale.


Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.  Vacation spot to the rich and famous.

Disney cruise ship entering Nassau Harbor.

Sunrise at Whale Cay anchorage.

The local bar in Alice Town, Bimini.

Conch!

Exumas to Nassau

Highbourne Cay was paradise.  6 beaches lined the island, each with beach chairs, umbrellas, water toys to use (kayaks, surfboards, hobbie cats), BBQ pits.  We had it all to ourselves.

We then made the crossing north to Nassau.  Due to Ken's schedule for treatment and boat insurance constraints we are heading back to the states.  We leave today for the passage to the Berry Islands.  Then a passage to the Bimini's, followed by crossing the Gulf Stream to Miami.  We plan to continue our journey by spending time in the Keys.  Life is good!

The Exumas

We crossed current cut and sailed down the Exuma sound. Our first anchorage was at North Sail Rocks, arriving at sunset after a long crossing.  We are now at Allans Cay where the water is crystal clear and we snorkeled for the first time.

Iguanas on the beach at Allans Cay.

Allans Cay anchorage.