St. Simons Island, GA to Hilton Head, SC

Saturday, May 24, 2008 We got up early and left the dock at 7:15 AM. The weather prediction was for the winds to build in the late afternoon to 20-25 with rain possible. The temperature was in the 70s when we left St. Simons Island. Seas were 2-3 with winds variable 5-10, butbuiltto 10-15 for a time then became calm as we approached Hilton Head Island. Never did experience high afternoon winds as predicted. It was a great day to travel. As we were approaching Hilton Head the water was filled with Jellyfish. The dock master said that it is the time of the year for them and this type does not sting. We arrived at Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head at 12:30 PM after traveling 100 miles.

Debbie washing the salt off "Island Hopper"

Harbour Town Yacht Basin Marina Harbour Town yacht Basin is South Carolina's premier yachting resort. The famous lighthouse

is visible from the Intracoastal Waterway. For almost four decades, Harbour Town has been a celebrated landmark for sailors cruising the Intracoastal. It is more than a marina, offering all the pampering services of a fine hotel. You can play golf at Harbour Town Golf Links or Tennis at the Racquet Club. There are five miles of sandy beaches. The slips are just steps away from scores of fine restaurants, shops and lounges. Harbour Town is like no other yachting destination in the world. Hilton Head Island Hilton Head is a bustling year-round resort, named after 17th century explorer William Hilton, and is the best known of South Carolina's sea islands. As the largest barrier island on the Atlantic Coast, it is amply endowed by nature and history and offers something something nearly year-round for everyone, including a choice of excellent marina resorts. English Navy Captain William Hilton "discovered" Hilton Head Island, first spotting this remarkable piece of real estate in 1663. While the island wouldn't take on a reputation as a first-rate resort destination until a development boom in the 1950s, it was used extensively before that, mostly for growing crops such as Sea Island cotton, sugar and indigo. Despite its relatively recent development, Hilton Head does boast a number of historic sites, including two Civil War forts and Baynard Ruins, which once3 was a prosperous plantation. Today, this boot-shaped island is an incorporated town of about 42 square miles, with 2 miles of ocean beach and approximately 30,000 residents. While it is a fully modern resort island, Hilton Head's strict zoning laws - limiting signage and building materials used - help preserve its distinctly charming feel. Even the island Wal-Mart is tastefully hidden behind lush foliage and a discreet sign. Thousands of acres of Hilton Head Island remain today as untouched forest and marshland, with abundant wildlife, making Hilton Head a natures lover's dream. Access to the wildlife sanctuaries is carefully controlled, but you can go exploring on winding nature paths and catwalks and then view one of the lookout stations. Our friends from Cincinnati, Pauletta and Joe Crowley came to the boat around 2:30 PM. We put together plans for the evening. We ate dinner with Pauletta and Joe, their son Joey and his wife Karyn, and their two children Joe Joe and Joslyn, along with their daughetr Colleen and her husband Colin. We had dinner at a great owner chef restaurant called Stripes.

The Crowley Family

(Front) Joe holding Joey, Grandma Pauletta holding Joslyn, Coleen and Colin

(Back) Karyn and Papa Joe

After dinner we went to Harbour Town under the old oak tree and listed to a singer, Greg Russell. It was a wonderful and relaxing evening with friends.

Fernandina Beach, FL to St. Simons Island, GA

Friday, May 23, 2008 We left Fernandina Beach at 9:00 AM., an hour earlier than our scheduled departure due to the weather forecast of heavy rains this afternoon. Winds SW 5-10 changing to 10 - 15 and the seas 1-2. Besides the chance of rain, it is another great boating day for traveling on the outside. Around 11:00 Am the rain started moving in on us. The winds picked up, but Captain Kevin held the course. We arrived at Golden Isles Marina at PM.

St. Simons Island is the largest of Georgia's Sea Islands. St. Simons is steeped in history. In 1736 General James Oglethorpe established Georgia's first military outpost at Fort Fredrica, which is now a national monument. During the Revolutionary War, the island's oak trees were milled locally and used in war ships, including the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides." During the 19th century, dozens of antebellum plantations were constructed on the island. The highlight of historic St. Simons Island is Christ Church and Cemetery. Still in use the church dates back to 1883. Methodist church founders John and Charles Wesley held the first services under the oak trees in 1736. Today St. Simons Island is a popular tourist destination. Golf and tennis are replacing beachcombing. The Village Pier section of town showcases St. Simons Island's friendly, laid back, small town atmosphere. Neptune Park, between the fishing pier and the lighthouse, is a relaxing spot to walk, picnic or sit in the shade and people watch. In the Village Pier area there are a concentration of tourist oriented shops and restaurants, but no grocery or drug store. Dining choices range from ice-cream to full-service dining.

Debbie waiting to go to diner in the marina's loaner car

We took the car into town and had dinner at a wonderful restaurant, Halyards. (http://www.halyardsrestaurant.com/) Our plans for tomorrow are to leave prior to 7:00 AM, for an early start to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

St. Augustine, FL to Fernandina Beach, FL

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We left Comachee Marina at 8:45 AM heading to Fernandina Beach, FL. The temperature were in the low 80s with some cloud cover. Winds were westerly 5-10 and the seas were a calm 1-2. It was smooth traveling on the outside.

Leaving the marina and looking over to historic St. Augustine.

Historic downtown

Wooden Cross On the Shore of St. Augustine

U.S. Warship 80 Heading To Jacksonville, FL.

Tate taking one last glance over the charts for Captain Kevin

"Island Hopper's" initial approach into Fernandina Beach, FL.

We arrived at Fernandina Harbor Marina at 12:20 PM. We made great time on the outside today.

Boats docked at Fernandina Harbor Marina

Fernandina Beach, FL

Fernandina Beach is a captivating small town. The cheery downtown has almost a Disney flavor to it...but it's real. Tree lined streets and ornate facades suggest a trio into our past, while the fleet of shrimp boat along the St. Marys reminds visitors that this town is alive and thriving. While under Spanish ownership, most of what Fernandina attracted was riff-raff. Smugglers and pirates carried out their shady trades in the St. Marys River and Cumberland Sound. Runaway slaves hid out in this area, and rogues, rapscallions, and scalawags also made it their haunt. The Spaniards seemed to have little interest in such a place, but somebody wanted it - President James Madison. In fact, he wanted all of Florida. A group of Madison's revolutionaries captured Fernandina in 1812. The vagabond Gregor McGregor, with assistance from some revolutionaries in the mid-Atlantic region, advanced on Fernandina as the Spanish surrendered with nary a word. Florida was independent, but not for long. Mexican pirate Luis Aury recaptured Fernandina within a week, making it a pirate sanctuary. This lasted until December of 1817 when the United States took over the territory. No fewer than eight different flags have flown above Fernandina, making it the most diversely disputed parcel of land in the nation. The pirate influence is evident today as you see many statues of pirates throughout the town.

Fernandina Today

Centre Street's brick sidewalks more than beckon visitors to take a stroll. The town's historic district, a showcase of Victorian architecture , spans 50 blocks. Much of Fernandina's history of ever-changing political control and culture is captured within the Amelia Island Museum of History.

Downtown Fernandina

Tina & Dick Devoe aboard "Island Hopper"

Tina and Dick Devoe came aboard "Island Hopper" at 5:00 PM for cocktails. They later drove us through the town and then out to Amelia Island where they live in The Plantation. We went to their beautiful new home on a golf course. The Plantation is a gorgeous with lush foliage and many canopies of trees. It is unlike most of Florida, with a Hilton Head feel. They then took us to a local outdoor seafood restaurant where we had a wonderful meal with great company.

New Smyrna Beach, FL to St. Augustine, FL

"Island Hopper" followed a fishing boat out of the marina.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 "Island Hopper" left the dock promptly at 8:30 AM. The morning temperatures were in the high 70s to low 80s. By afternoon it was another hot and muggy 90+ day. We went on the outside, seas 2-3 feet with winds 10 - 20. It was a fairly smooth run with a few gusts of wind.

Traveling on the Ponce de Leon Inlet

We arrived around 1:00 PM at Camanchee Island, St. Augustine. FL. Captain Kevin did another great job docking in the wind. It seems the winds always begin piping when it is time to dock the boat. We are spending the night at Comanchee Cove Yacht Harbor.(http://www.camacheeisland.com/) The marina is full service, with 20 businesses located on-site. They range from a restaurant, St. Augustine Yacht Club, General Store, and many nautical supply stores. It is a beautiful marina and it is quite busy due to a fishing tournament. This afternoon we have a car and will be going into downtown St. Augustine to explore and eat dinner. St. Augustine - A Brief History St. Augustine is the oldest Permanent European settlement in the continental United States. Fifty-five years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, and 32 years before Jamestown, the Spanish Explorer Pedro Memendez de Aviles settled the St. Augustine area. The year was 1565. On August 28th of that year, Menendez's fleet first sighted Florida land. The settlement was named in honor of that day, the feast day for St. Augustine. Over the next 200 years the settlement survived under Spanish rule. They were attacked by Sir Frances Drake in 1586 and by Robert Searles in 1668. The Castillo de San Marcos, a coquina fort, was constructed for protection. In 1702, St. Augustine defeated an assault by South Carolina Governor James Moore, and another by General James Oglethorpe from Georgia in 1740. But in 1783 Spain lost Florida to England in a territorial exchange. For the next twenty years the British ruled the area. Florida became a territory of the United States in 1821, gaining statehood in 1845. St. Augustine's "golden era" began in the late 1880s, when Harry Flagler attempted to turn the quaint town into a vacation spot for tourists. Flagler, an oil millionaire, and his friends built elegant hotels and churches. Their interests turned further south in the early 1900s, but their structures remain behind. Exploring St. Augustine The core of any visit is a tour of the historic district, a showcase for more than 60 historic sites and attractions, plus 144 blocks of houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We could easily spend more than one day here, but since we have been to St. Augustine before, we decided to spend more time exploring the Carolinas.

Kilwins Ice Cream Shop in the Historic District

An historic building on St. George Street

A Watermill downtown

The Oldest Wooden School House in the United States

A Fountain in the Historic Downtown

Debbie going in the Columbia Restaurant for dinner

Columbia Restaurant is a favorite of Debbie and Kevin.

Another awesome day on the water!!!

Melbourne, FL to New Smyrna Beach, FL

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 We left Melbourne, FL around 8:40 AM heading to New Smyrna Beach, FL. The temperatures were in the high 70s with winds SW 15 - 20. Skies are sunny with an overcast with intermittent rain drops. We have 73 miles to travel today. We will be staying at New Smyrna Beach City Marina. The location is right in the town.

A house on the water.

Small Town Charm New Smyrna had a sordid beginning as a plantation begun by a Scotsman named Dr. Andrew Turnbull. Believing people from the Mediterranean climates could better adjust to the Florida heat, in 1763 Turnbull recruited 1,255 settlers from Greece, Corsica, Italy, and Mallorca to work more than 100,000 acres. He named his settlement after the home of his Turkish wife. Among Turnbull's first acts was instituting an Egyptian agricultural system of draining and irrigation, a process that has devastating effects today. Disease, harsh treatment, and lack of supplies exacerbated by the Revolutionary War reduced the population to 600. In 1777, the settlement was declared a failure. Turnbull sailed away, leaving the settlers behind. Most walked to St. Augustine, where they were released from indenture. Today New Smyrna is a great small town. There is well controlled development on its 19.5 square miles, including a 13.2 mile stretch of beach. Modern New Smyrna owes much to the late sculptress Doris Leeper. She spearheaded the founding of the Atlantic Center for the Arts, now a world renown artists in residence program, as well as a current preservation and wetlands acquisition effort. Because of Leeper, the visual and performing arts have a permanent place, and the town consistently makes the list of "Best Small Art Towns in America." After arriving at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Marina we washed down the boat and then walked into the historic downtown.

New Smyrna Municipal Marina

A beautiful home in historic downtown.

Kevin had an old fashioned chocolate malt at Little's Drugstore. We took a cab later in the evening to Flagler Street and ate at the Grille at Riverview. Riverview is on the water and has a hotel and spa. We had wonderful mahi dinners.

Stuart, FL to Melbourne, FL

Monday, May 19, 2008 We left Stuart, FL around 8:40 AM heading to Melbourne, FL. The morning temperature was in the high 70's with another 90 degree day predicted. The skies are still hazy due to the fires in the Everglades. Yesterday the smell was worse, but it was still evident this morning. Winds are SW 10 -15. We will travel about 75 miles up the Intracoastal. Smooth water and beautiful views along the way. The winds shifted to the NW at 10. We will be staying the night at Melbourne Harbor in Melbourne, FL. There is the Melbourne Yacht Club, but its location is not as convenient to the attractions. The Melbourne Harbor is close to historic downtown Melbourne, and near the manatee sanctuary and just two blocks from a charming, old-fashioned main street with 20 restaurants and many shops. Melbourne Harbor is a "foodie" favorite, with old town eateries plus bakeries and delis. A Chart House restaurant is located at the Melbourne Harbor. This afternoon we walked into the historic downtown. There are manyquaint shops and restaurants. We ate dinner tonight at a small French restaurant called Continental Flambe. The food was outstanding.

Numerous Ocean Alexanders came to the marina after a rondevue in St. Agustine, FL.

Stuart, Florida -Harbourage Marina

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - We arrived in Stuart, FL around 2:30 PM. We were on the road for thirteen hours on Friday, so today's road time was just under 5 hours. These times included all stops. We went to the Harbourage Marina and checked out "Island Hopper".

Fountain at the Harbourage Marina Entrance

She was cleaned and ready for us to board. After getting our clothes and essentials on board we went grocery shopping. We ate dinner at the Flagler Grill. (http://www.flaglergrill.com/) We had wonderful yellow snapper and mahi mahi dishes. The restaurant specializes in Traditional American and Floribbean Cuisine.

Sunday, May 18, 2008 - Downtown Stuart hosted an arts and crafts show in the old town. Kevin went to West Marine while Debbie went to the show.

The Booths at the Craft Show

Being Kevin's fist mate does have privledges. He took Debbie to her favorite store in historic Stuart and bought her custom sandals and a handbag at Stephen Bonanno Sandals. (http://www.sbsandals.com/) Kevin knows whose dream Debbie is living. After the brief shopping spree we had lunch at the Osceola Cafe. Then we went to ABC Liquor for wine and rum. Next we went to Winn Dixie for water and more provisions. The worst part of preparing the boat is taking the groceries to the boat. The docks at the Harbourage Marinaare a good distance from the parking lot. This is a job for the first mate and captain.

Debbie unloading the provisions into the cart.

Kevin taking the photo. (Priceless!!)

Debbie is thinking she might get another pair of sandals tomorrow. Just another day in the life of boating!