Day 17-20    April 28-May 1     St. Augustine

After the overnight here we docked at City Marina, rested, did laundry then rode our bikes to the nearest grocery store, Winn Dixie, stopping too at a roadside market to buy local blueberries.  Later we explored and talked over what else to do as we would be here for a few days because of winds.

 

The next day we were hoping to move to a mooring ball, but with the slips and balls all reserved, instead had to anchor north of the bridge with a few other boats.  It turned out ok, but didn’t put the dinghy down to go into town and hung out on the boat.  That night Dennis did not sleep well, thinking about what we should do about going further north. Our schedule was to over night to Charleston, SC, when weather would permit, probably Tuesday.  Both of us were having second thoughts.  We decided to sleep on it another night, but pretty much agreed, we would be happy to head back south to explore Florida instead. 

 

On Sunday we got onto a mooring and were again able to dinghy to the historic city.  Monday morning we biked 3 miles to the Y, I did yoga, and Dennis weights and elliptical, then 3 miles back to the marina. The Rum distillery and Chocolate Factory tours would fill up our afternoon, but just as we were getting ready to leave the boat, my back spasms started, and kept me aboard.  Dennis went on with a promise to bring me samples, which he did.  I had fixed chili early that morning so we had it for dinner.

 First, let me say that our goal for this trip was to get to Boston and explore New England.  One issue with trying to get to a certain place in a sailboat is that the wind and weather really dictate where, when, and how fast you can cruise.  Captain’s motto since a couple of rough overnights to the Dry Tortugas has been, “We are not leaving a safe port to go out into high wind or weather.”  Trying to decide what would be the right thing we went to our notes from the last trip.  2012 winds most days were 5-10 and calm seas, we spent extra days in Marathon and Ft. Lauderdale, but after those we were able to travel every day unless we chose to stay put. We cruised all the way to New York City without major weather or wind issues except for one storm in Atlantic City.

2018 winds have been 10-15, some 20s-30s, and kept us in port 4 days in Naples, 4 days in Ft. Lauderdale and 4 days in St. Augustine.  There seems to be a pattern here, and although we love being on the boat, to stay in ports will probably keep us from achieving our goal.  In fact the weather since January has been very different in Florida and in most other places, which makes us think at this rate we probably would not make it to New England.

Even if the wind and weather were perfect, another issue we recalled from 2012, were the many 10-12 hour motoring days to get up the coast to New York City, and then the return trip in the heat of the summer.  As we compared notes, dread might be too strong a word, but neither of us were looking forward to those days in July and August. 

All things considered, we decided to relax, head south, and stay in Florida exploring new places or return to places we love.  Best thing, we are not disappointed, but instead very happy with our change of plans.  Maybe instead a car trip to New England and Maine are in our future!

For those of you who have followed us this far, thanks, and sorry to disappoint.  Next year, if possible, we will attempt a trip to the Bahamas, but for now we will probably sign off the Cesaris blogspot, with this our last post. Fair winds till next time!

Nautical Miles:  573 in 21 days