Through Jacksonville, on to Green Cove Springs, FL

WEDNESDAY - Hauled anchor on a beautiful clear day at 11:00AM, crossed Nassau Sound and hit Sisters Creek at high tide for an easy ride! (We grounded there 3 years ago.) Entering the St. John's River at about 12:30, we had hours to kill before the Jacksonville railroad bridge 5:00 PM opening. Turning East instead, we found a nice sandy spot at the St. Johns River entrance to anchor and wait. A sheriffs boat came by and asked if all aboard were U.S. Citizens and our origin and destination. All okay but the Canadian sail boat anchored near by was boarded for two hours.

Passing through Jacksonville was lovely, exactly at sunset. Several dolphin played at our side. South of Jacksonville, at La Vista point, we anchored in near pitch dark. The river is so wide, with moderate depths, that numerous places out of the channel are good anchoring.

THURSDAY – We left around 10:00 AM in light fog. To my surprise and relief, there was little mud on the chain or anchor. Making Green Cove Springs took about two and a half hours. We were confused as to where we should dock at Holland Marine but all ended well. It felt like coming home. Neat friends Dee and Brook Williams greeted us at the dock. Louie savored being on land again, sniffing everything.

It's 71 degrees at 5:00PM and the sun is shining. Florida sure is alluring this time of year. Tonight we watched a great 1948 movie call “A Song is Born”, with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Gene Kruppa and Danny Kaye. What a lineup! Fun story! I've felt tired, with a cold coming on for two days but hope to feel more normal tomorrow.

Jacksonville as we passed.

Green Cove Springs in Hollands Marina.