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Hello From St Augustine!
We are now 15 days into our loop and have covered approximately 350 miles. Since our last post, we have completed the Okeechobee Waterway and started our way up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW). We have made stops in Fort Pierce, Eau Gallie (Melbourne), Titusville, New Smyrna, Marineland and are now in St. Augustine. We have met some wonderful people - both fellow loopers as well as just other fellow boaters. In New Smyrna we got our first taste of true looper camaraderie when we were invited to join four other couples for a nice dinner out. Loopers come from all over the US and the world and from all types of backgrounds. Some are very experienced and some are newbies like ourselves. It makes interacting with other loopers both fun and educational.
Along the way we have seen alligators, dolphin, egrets, pelicans, turtles, sand pipers, and iguanas. On our tour of St. Augustine today, the guide was excited to point out peacocks....oh ho hum - we have seen way too many of those at home! We have seen run down old Florida shanties and multimillion dollar estates. We have also seen amazing yachts as well as rotting hulks of vessels abandoned on the river banks. We even got to see a launch of a SpaceEx rocket! Fortunately, we have had mostly clear skies and flat seas although there is a good thunder storm display right now.
Karen and I are getting more comfortable on the boat although we still get nervous docking, especially in wind or current. I am still doing most of the driving and Karen is working the lines. At our last two marinas, we were told we looked smooth and competent as we came in. Boy - I wish I could say that was how we felt! Once we are tied up and engines are shut down it's time for a high five and big sighs of relief. Tonight is our second night on a mooring ball. We love these as they offer the serenity of being away from a marina but without the worries of being on an anchor. They are also far less stressful to tie up to than a dock.
Some of the highlights of the last 10 days...
The Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce was fantastic. Fort Pierce was the site of the training of the original navy "frogmen." You cannot come out of that place without feeling patriotic and inspired by the courage, fortitude and skills of these highly trained soldiers.
Riding our bikes on New Smyrna Beach was a lot of fun. We did it twice! Cars are allowed on the beach there, like in Daytona. When the tide is out there is a large expanse of smooth hardened sand that works great as a riding surface, even with thin road tires. On the second day we rode about 4 miles each way on the sand to see the light house at Ponce de Leon inlet. Juan Ponce de Leon was the governor of Puerto Rico and the first European to explore and chart Florida in 1515. At 4"11" tall he was actually above average height for Spaniards of that era. He ultimately died from wounds suffered in a skirmish with native Americans who did not share his enthusiasm for European settlement of Florida.
The marina at Eau Gallie was a picture perfect setting. It looked more like a small town in the north east than Florida. The marina locals were as friendly and helpful as could be. If we had come through here a few years ago we might have been tempted to stay. 2-3 years ago you could have have purchased a nice waterfront home here for $350,000. They are now well well over $1,000,000.
Although we just got here today, St Augustine is shaping up to be a highlight as well. Originally founded in 1565, this picturesque city, it is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in North America. The old fort and the Bridge of Lions are just two of the many highlights of the city. We are moored tonight just south of the bridge which is beautifully lit up at night.
And of course.... the miles and miles of beautiful, peaceful scenery and fresh air. Still beats a day at the office.
On the negative side.... No See Ums. These 1 mm devils are next to impossible to see but they have a vicious bite. So far Karen has been pretty much left alone by them but my legs are a bumpy itchy mess. Just picked up some repellant so looking forward to less buggy nights.
Our amusing anecdote ... On New Smyrna Beach we met a guy from Indiana. He was in Florida to deliver an antique truck he had restored. When I asked what year the truck was... 1973! If a 1973 truck is an antique, what does that make us?!!!
Too many pictures to post but here are a few. And check out our Relive videos linked below.
https://www.relive.cc/view/veq
https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O
You two look so tanned and healthy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update! It is great to hear about your adventures. Enjoy!!
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