Day One, Wednesday, July 28th, 2021:
Complete departure sequence – Maneuver to fuel dock for diesel and pump out. Check out and settle account at Lambs.
Navionics plotted to Fernandina Harbor Marina. Make our way out of marina, wait for CSX train bridge takes 20 minutes! Finally begin our maiden voyage at 11:06 am. Pass through Ortega River Bridge; through Jacksonville; pass shipping docks – giant cargo ships.
Enter ICW!!! marshes, beaches, scrub trees, white egrets.
Lunch along the way – bagel sandwiches with deli meat, cheeses, carrots/celery w/hummus, cinnamon cake.
Beautiful, tranquil views.
Intense HEAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nassau Sound – crank her up to 18 knots.
Dolphins swim by us. Flies swarm the boat.
Daily Panic....
Train swing bridge. (Kingsley Creek Highway Bridge) Is it moving? YES! Coming right at us. Back up. NOW! No response to hailing.
We make it to Fernandina. Our first landing! Two dock hands, $40 in tips…. Money well spent. We feel very accomplished, even though we’re still clueless.
Dinner at Pablo’s Mexican.
Day Two, Thursday, July 29th:
Foggy morning. Breakfast on board.
Wander around downtown Fernandina looking for souvenir to commemorate our arrival. No luck.
Prepare for tomorrow’s passage. Chat with fellow cruisers.
Make reservation at Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles, St. Simons Island, GA.
Dinner at local hamburger place.
Our broker, Tom, takes our photo as we leave Lambs Marina...
Through Jacksonville shipping lanes...
Entering the ICW
Fernandina Harbor Marina
