South East Coast Turtle Tour

4/12/13

Leaving Ft. Pierce, FL for Jacksonville

Sunrise at Ft. Pierce as we exit the inlet

Hitchhiker on the ocean just north of Ft. Pierce

I think “South East Coast Turtle Tour” is the perfect title for our two passages from Ft. Pierce, FL to Jacksonville, FL and from Fernandina, FL to Beaufort, NC.  Since we patiently waited for south winds to sail north we were rewarded with smooth downwind sails.  Both passages required the on and off use of our engines as the southerly winds rose and dropped in speed.  The ocean swells on the beam rolling us side to side as we sailed forth. 

Did you know sea turtles spend some of their day just lounging on the surface of the ocean?  The calm conditions offered superb turtle viewing.  We’d sit in the cockpit in the warmth of the sun and spot turtle lumps.  Though encrusted with barnacles and other clinging sea growth a turtle top protruding above the water catches the eye.  Some of them shine as the sun reflects off the wet round dome.  A number of times we’d spot a turtle directly ahead and watch as it lazily paddled just out of the way of Persephone and slid by the hull almost within reach.   

Turtle!

Loggerhead, I believe

Turtle!

Our 2 days on the first leg and 3 on the next were filled with “Turtle!”  and “Dolphin!”   

Dolphin!

Beautiful spotted dolphin, some with a defined white stripe along their sides highlighting their black spots.  I just know that when they’re swimming along the boat near the surface on their sides they’re looking at us.   Ever make eye contact on the ocean with a dolphin?  Incredible!

So our passages thus far – no storms or squalls, no broken boat parts, and no winds on the nose.  Just turtles and dolphins.  Oh, and a few hitchhikers stopped by for a rest.  Purple Martins I believe.

Between our passages we had the opportunity to visit our friends Chris and Amy in Atlantic Beach, FL.  Baby Andrew had celebrated his first birthday just ten days before our arrival.  Next – his first life jacket (which he did NOT like) and his first dinghy ride and evening at anchor aboard Persephone (which was fine AFTER the life jacket was removed).  Thanks for bringing and creating a sumptuous dining experience aboard Persephone Chef Chris!

Andrew, Amy, Chris & Jerry

Traveling vs. at a dock or at anchor presents a challenge for Jerry’s cardio-rehab walking schedule.  If the dolphins looked into the cockpit at the right time they could have watched us marching, jumping, sliding, dancing.  Each of us in an 18” x 3’ space in the cockpit to the rhythm of the rolling seas and the tunes on the i-pod.  Back to land here in Beaufort provides the freedom of the open road for walking and continued heart strengthening.

Our plans are to continue our journey north hoping this warming trend lasts the rest of the spring. 

Horses & Loons off Carrot Island, Beaufort, NC