Fernandina Beach, FL - back to the US, land of ice cream, cheap broccoli and free water! Doesn't take much to make sailors happy.
Sailing buddy, Chris Jones drove up to Fernandina for a quick visit and Jerry's lobster chowder for lunch. Then Jerry booted Chris back to shore and we headed for the ocean. Chris provided our dinner for that first night on the ocean. From the Bistro Aix Restaurant, where Chris creates exquisite dining experiences for Jacksonville residents, he boxed 2 types of roasted chicken, whipped potatoes with an au jous gravy, and carrots, brussel sprouts, turnips, and greens to saute. Wow! Delicious!
The 59 hour sail was uneventful, other than the thunk! we felt somewhere off the coast of South Carolina. I think we hit a whale! A big enough thunk to let us know we hit something substantial. It was dark so no sightings, no damage to the boat, just a big thunk and the entire boat shuddered. We motor sailed amid light tailwinds.
Dolphins darted around the bow at various points 20 miles or so offshore.
Another visitor joined us in the cockpit I noticed when I went on watch at 9 pm. There on the seat near the wheel was a little bird all fluffed up with its head under its wing. I gently tossed a towel around it to block the wind and left a plate with water and flax seeds. In the morning when the sun came up and warmed everything I uncovered the bird. It jumped up and sat looking at us for a while before it took off.
We arrived in Beaufort at midnight (with Bluejacket behind us), anchored, and put on the sail cover with 5 minutes to spare before the wind picked up, the rain pelted down, and the lightning surrounded us. We were happy to be in port! There is a boardwalk to view the wild horses, tidal flats and beyond toward the ocean in Beaufort. Jerry and Donna joined us for a walk.
After a few days stay in Beaufort, NC we visited with our friends Don and D at their dock behind their house in Oriental, NC. Visiting, telling stories, playing games, Jerry helping with projects......another wonderful visit with our boating buddies. While staying at Don and D's protected dock up a creek, surrounded by trees, the wind blew. Just a mile away in Oriental harbor the winds gusted to near 50 mph. We saw top winds of 11 knots. While in Oriental, I took my sea glass jewelry to the local Farmers Market thanks to D who loaned me their van, folding tables and chairs! My new creation, using 2 pieces of sea glass to make a sailboat, was a big hit.
From Don and D's dock we sailed (at 2.5 knots) to Donna and Jerry Luh's dock (from Bluejacket) about 10 miles away. Another dock! Our anchor had almost a 2 week vacation! We named Donna and Jerry's dock "Luh's Landing Marina, Limo and Food Emporium". There were always 2 or 3 extra boats at the dock, cruising friends stopping to visit.
Donna had no difficulty feeding 12 people at every meal! Jerry made sausage rolls for everyone one night. Our last evening after dinner of ham and homemade pierogies the house was filled with music. Jim from "Salty Paws" played his guitar, Bentley from "Salty Paws" played his banjo, Mary played her accordian and I strummed along on guitar. Everyone sang along. We had a blast and were sad to say good bye.
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| Sunrise from Luh's Landing |
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| Another sunrise as we leave Luh's Landing |
Strong winds from the east and then from the south helped us sail north for the next 2 days to Elizabeth City, NC. No motor needed.
Our travels will continue north, up the Dismal Swamp Canal to Norfolk and beyond, trying to adjust to the change in temperatures. For us, it feels like summer is over and fall is upon us.
Until next time,
Karen and Jerry
beautiful
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