Day Nine and Ten

Trip Start Apr 02, 2008
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Trip End Jun 10, 2008


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Where I stayed
Camachee Marina

Flag of United States  , Florida
Sunday, April 27, 2008

Condensing two days into this blog.  We left Fernandina Beach heading towards St. Augustine yesterday.  Landon and Cheyna were on board and the weather cooperated beautifully.  Both got sunburned first day out and Gene even gave Landon a lesson on the helm.  We cruised through some incredibly expensive areas with swamp on one side and high rent district on the other.  Had to slow down through several Manatee watching areas only later to find out that slow was three times faster than our boat goes.  We timed a bridge crossing just right as it was under repair and not due to open but two hours a day and it actually opened 45 minutes early as we got there...we were living right! 

We got to Camachee Marina in St. Augustine by  mid afternoon.  This is the best marina we have stayed in so far.  No flip flops needed for the showers and our boat is one of the smallest here.  Apparently St. Augustine is the fishing capital of Florida (so they claim) and from what we saw at the end of the fishing day, it must be true
50000 dollar painting
50000 dollar painting
. 

Got to see our first manatee who was an 1100 pound "baby" who was floating in the lift area waiting for someone to give him a drink from the hose or rub their feet on his back.  The marina folks seem used to him and accomodate him.

My friends Tom and Laura from Message Factors came over for dinner and saved us from cheap grocery store wine by bringing some great wine, salsa and chocolate covered popcorn, not to mention the great conversation.

Landon and Cheyna are real troopers sleeping on the lowered dining room table which creaks every time they move.  I am just across from them on the other settee. 

We got up this morning and rented a car to tour St. Augustine.  We went to the Fountain of Youth where we already feel like our wrinkles are diminishing as a result of our visit.  We then proceeded to tour a historic district full of old shops, etc.  This is a beautiful city with a lot of history.  Nothing, but nothing is free.  No extra salsa or chips, no free tour of any old architecture, despite old guidebooks indicating that they are free
600 yr old tree
600 yr old tree
.  Nevertheless, we spent a great day together and would highly recommend this as a touring spot along the Florida coast.  Gene, Maggie and I spent $8 each to climb the 215 stairs of the oldest lighthouse in America.  View was incredible.  It has survived several hurricanes.  Upon my descent, found Landon and Cheyna at the playground below and sat in the swing where Landon pushed me higher and higher and higher...thank goodness Cheyna came along to stop him or who knows where my lunch would be! 

Made another provisiong run and then came back to the boat where all the fishermen were cleaning their catch of the day...WOW!  The catch was incredible. 

Tomorrow morning we are leaving early headed for Daytona Beach...more to follow. 
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