Day 2...Alligator Creek to Amelia Island Yacht Basin

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
    
     We left the anchorage at 8:00 a.m. to start our short trip to Amelia Island Yacht Basin.  We planned to spend the day and have friends visit before we resume our trip north on Sunday.
     Just before the A1A Fernandina Beach Bridge we met a large tug that had a familiar name.

Sara is our youngest daughter and Kaitlin is our cousin.

     Since we made plans for an Open Boat, of course, we had the most rain North Florida has had in many months.  We did have good friends, former coworkers and family come for one last visit before we leave on our 6 month trip. They were also here to see all of the changes we've made to Traveller during the last 10 months since Gary retired.

Gary's retired pose in our retro lawn chairs.

         Our oldest daughter Allison stayed to help me develop this blog.  I'm still learning so please bear with me.  I'll try to keep it current as long as we have internet service.  

Day 1...Ortega Landing Marina to Alligator Creek

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012

Ready to leave Ortega Landing

     After months of preparation, Gary and I left Ortega Landing Marina for our Little Loop Trip a little after 8:00 a.m.  We approached the usually half open Ortega Bridge (They've been repairing it for over a year.) and both sides were down.  We thought our trip was going to end before it got started, but thankfully it only took a few minutes for a crane to open one side for us to squeeze through.  

Ortega Bridge

     Coming out the St. Johns River, we thought the current was going to be against us as it usually is, but we had a very favorable current that swept us along during all of our trip.  Our boat that usually averages 5.5 mph was consistently moving at 8.2-8.4 and even made it up to 9.4 mph.   

     We anchored in Alligator Creek south of Fernandina Beach at 2:00 p.m..  Read, relaxed and ate supper.