Florida at last!

We finally made it to Florida on November 25. We left Jekyll Island and went out the sound to the ocean for time away from the Intercoastal waterway. There was no wind, but also no waves, so we motored along until we reached Fernandina Beach entrance. We stayed there for 2 days. It was a charming town and you could walk to the downtown area. Oliver loved the park and city, especially the fish store.He has decided Starfish make a great toy. I got it away and put it back in the store bin before damage was done (don't tell). I even had time to myself to wander. We met up with old friends Lee and Lynn on Serenity, and Kathy and Jim on Charm.
On the 27th we again went out to the ocean to travel. This time we did have some wind, so the sails came out and the motor was shut off. Boy that was nice! Unfortunately we did lose wind later, but then we motored into the sound and to our anchorage for the night. It was finally warm and sunny for the last 3 days. We anchored near a public ramp where we could dinghy Oliver ashore. I still have this fear of alligators finding us if we go too close to shrubs. We did see some snake skin that was molted, so we stayed away from the wooded area.  There was one boat anchored when we came in and 5 by nightfall. We were in Sister's Creek with navy and marine helicopters buzzing us.
The 28th brought us to St Augustine. It was foggy in the morning, so we stayed inside. Also St. Augustine's entrance from the ocean is tricky. We picked up a mooring ball and stayed for 3 days. There is quite a current  in the river there, so getting the dinghy to shore was a good upper body workout. We loved St Augustine and it's history. Every morning we dinghied in, took a 2 hour walk around the sights before heading back to the boat for some chores. In the afternoon we would go for another walk, then have dinner, then one more trip ashore and a short stroll to see the Christmas lights. I was surprised to see a Kilwins fudge shop on their pedestrian tourist street, St George. It was like being on Mackinac Island. Oliver loved all the attention he got, the other dogs met and time off the boat.e ran into Lee and Lynn there also.
From there we ventured down the road to Palm Coast and Titusville. In Palm Coast we met the people that started Active Captain, Jeff and Diane Seigel and their 2 dogs, Dylan and Dyna. Oliver loved the play time with them and the barks across the boats. We were together the next 3 stops. They have moved on and we are taking a break at Cocoa Village Marina for a week. We pulled in the 4th of December so here we are. We rented a car so we could get dog food, people food and see more sites. The marina is next to downtown with quaint shops and a hair salon that stayed open late for me. The salon Que Bella kept their doors open so I could actually get lowlights and a cut. I was looking pretty shaggy and brassy. Our Michigan friends, Tom and Laura on Cool Hand pulled in Thursday, so we are enjoying times together. We also met fellow sailors Floyd and Elaine who we had over for cocktails. He wrote a book on their travels and is quite a character. Oliver loves company. Tom and Laura joined us too.  Yesterday, the 7th, Laura and I went out for a morning coffee and sweet roll, then shopping later in the afternoon. We came back to finding Tom and Dale having a beer. Dale did work on boat electronics that day and I did 8 loads of laundry the first day. Now we are trying to figure out what to do. Do we try for the Bahamas, go to the keys, or just find a place we like in Florida to keep the boat for winters. There is also a little (ha-ha) issue with the alternator. When I first typed this, we had planned to be headed South, but we are now here for another day or two waiting for a part. Jason sent us mail and other backup parts here, so we have caught up on home things.
We will keep you posted. Laura and I have spent time in town and Oliver loves the coffee shop every morning. Even the Mail carrier knows him by name now as well a the city workers as we wander.
I am not good at keeping this up as you can tell but wifi and connections should be better now. Missing everyone and holiday things,  especially the Christmas music . Good luck with the Cantata my choir friends.

Fernandina Beach which is on Amelia Island

tree by the marina

Supposedly the oldest bar in Florida

Oliver on those cold travel mornings/ 

St. Augustine Park

Oliver getting attention in St. Augustine

Flagler College

park in St Augustine, more Christmas cheer

old cobble stone street

moorings in St. Augustine

Shop 'til you drop street.

walking the old streets, Ollie saw something and I go "whoosh"

love the old houses

park at night, it was beautiful

people dressed in Spanish period clothes from the 1600s

just cool

oldest school 

Oliver at the fort, a school group saw him and the teachers lost control, what memories

Ollie and Dale looking for dolphins, Ollie's favorite past time

a drink in the park

then a nap, what a life

rainbow in Palm Coast while playing with Dylan and Dyna

even the bridges are pretty sometimes

pelicans dive bomb around us often

Rockhouse creek anchorage, Oliver's beach in background. He ran around like a crazy dog. 

Looking for those dolphins again

and again as we travel South

egret

he is really cute when sleeping

silt builds up and islands just appear in the middle of nowhere

Oliver discovered the presents in St. Augustine

We have plans to celebrate Christmas with Laura and Tom, so here is hoping. Enjoy the holidays, I will try to post again soon and add some Cocoa Village pictures.