May 5,2014 Monday Ortega Yacht Club

Beautiful sun shiny day today with no wind.  Comfortable again and hard to leave the marina and George and Mary.  Meeting some of the live a boards here, they are so friendly and kind.  Attempting to catch up on the blog.  It will be awhile since we're watching the tide and maybe leaving this afternoon riding the tide out to the ICW.

May 4, 2014 Sunday Ortega Yacht Club

Back from the motel around 1 pm, I'm still a little unbalanced and feeling groggy but much better than two days ago.  Tried walking around, went over to George and Mary's boat, gave her  the Tatted heart and the blessings for safe travel that went with it.  Can't believe I haven't given her one yet.  Oh well, they are blessed for safe travels now.  Ended up watching a cute movie and then went to dinner.  Fun evening once again.  Sure is dark and creepy out on the streets out of the marina.  Got to talk to Kiren, Andy and Mike today, fun..

May 3, 2014 Saturday Jacksonville Ortega Yacht Club

I slept till 2 or 3, still having vertigo, sensitive to light and noise and difficult to walk.  Curt caught up on his reading.  Walked over to the Cracker Barrel for dinner and back, I'm feeling a little better but still drugged feeling.  Spent the evening watching a movie in the motel and walked again over to the Cracker Barrel for a way too sweet apple dessert.  Good to get up and walk.  Not feeling like doing much else though.  What another wasted day.  I hate being sick.  Rained most of the day, so guess it was good to be in a warm, dry place and not rocking or getting wet.

May 2, 2014 Friday Ortega Yacht Club

Storm came thru during the night, raining and blowing, had to take the air conditioner out and put up the companion way covers.  At the same time I woke up with Vertigo, really spinning, somehow fell back to sleep and when I got up was still spinning, like sea sickness on steroids.  After emptying my empty stomach and making it to the BR for a shower, still spinning.  Tried lying down in the boat but just didn't feel better so decided to go to a hotel.  Mike and Joyce Banks coming into town and so will stay at the same hotel they are staying at.  After resting for awhile I felt well enough to go out to dinner.  We all went to Whitey's Fish Camp.  A definite go again place.  Had a super visit catching up with Mike and Joyce and talking about old times in Bismarck and new times also, catching up on family and adventures we've all had since parting 28 years ago from Bismarck.  Fun to listen to all their adventures and not so fun adventures.  By the ended of the night Curt and Mike agreed God has surrounded them with angels keeping them both safe in the helicopters they were flying and other adventures they've had.  May he continue to bless us all with that same safety net.

May 1, 2014 Thursday Ortega Yacht Club May Day!

Just hung out today, caught up on some cleaning and laundry.  Curt got a hold of other friends and set up meetings with them on our way up north.  Will be fun to see Billy G. again. Visiting with others on the dock.  Rained off and on all day.

April 30, 2014 Wednesday Palm Cove Marina MM747

Left the dock at 900 hrs under overcast skies.  Light wind SE and temps in 70's.  1030 entered the St. John's River.  Speed increased from 4.5 kts to over 7 kts as the high tide crested.  Enjoyed 6 plus kts till we approached the Ortega Bridge at 1415 hrs.  Docked at the Ortega Yacht Club Marina at 1445 hrs. (Italics from Curt's log) Happy to see the big big boats bigger than cruise ship were stopping before they passed us coming down the river.  
Looked around the area, went for a walk to Publix a couple of blocks away.  Called George and Mary to see where they were at.  To our surprise they were at two Marinas down about two blocks.  They came over to visit for awhile.  Fun to see them again.  The free dock marinas didn't look very good, no showers and very populated area in the tides and currents so decided on this marina, cheap at 90 cents a foot and by the week even cheaper.  Floating cement docks another plus.

April 29, 2014 Tuesday St.Augustine Marina MM778

After visiting the Castillo de San Marcos Fort we casted off at almost slack tide (high) with light wind out of the SE  (not eventful) att 11:15.  Waited for the Bridge of Lions to open at 11:30 and we were on our way to Jacksonville.  14:10 hrs Hailed by the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration patrol boat  5 guys (two deputy sheriffs and three federal guys) all smiling and very friendly.  Our first check since leaving Minn.  Weather becoming overcast, wind out of the SE @ 12-15kts, slow speed due to tide going out 4.3 kts with both jib and main up.  1530 hrs. Storm clouds to the NW.  Tide ebbing 5.5  to 6 kts.with main and jib and SE Winds.  1700 Passed Jacksonville Beach Bridge.  Took down the sails as storm approached quickly.  Dark clouds and forecast for high winds severe lightning and thunder.  Decided to head back to the Marina just after the bridge.  On the way there got hit by the front as we were coming in, tied up to the fuel dock to wait out the storm.  Glad to be there with strong winds, thunder and lightning and hard rain last for about an hour.  More forecasted so decided to stay here tonight.

April 28, 2014