EIDER 02-20-18 Fernandina Beach, FL

Latitude/Longitude: N30°40.182' / W081°28.172'

0006 tonight we are on a mooring in Fernandina, Fl which is one of our favorite stops.  This is the last stop in Florida so at sunset we drank a toast to Florida.  These last 5 days traveling on the Florida portion of our ICW trip north have been special .  The weather has been spectacular.  We are early and it was a holiday weekend so we have shared the waters mostly with locals out boating and fishing and with the abundant wildlife .  Missing are the 'big boys' with their high speeds and big wakes who are still further south and won't migrate north until later this spring.

There are a few other small  boats moving north or south but mostly the anchorages are empty.

The Florida portion of the ICW is, overall, relaxing as it is well maintained with few trouble spots. There are many public spaces and parks.  We also saw folks camping and fishing on many of the pretty spoil islands with their small beaches . Portions are wild and beautiful.  There are also long stretches of beautifully maintained multi-million dollar homes.  Most seem unoccupied so not sure when their season is.
Perhaps knowing that this might be our last trip south on a boat added to the experience. We will spend another day here poking around this cute and lively town then move over to nearby Cumberland Island, a national park, for a few days and then push on to the Georgia section.

Thank you for following us.  Not sure how to attach photos to this.  

Cheers, Sue and Paul

EIDER 02-19-18 St. Augustine, FL

Latitude/Longitude: N29°54.018' / W081°18.431'

0005 well a beautiful evening in St. Augustine.  Another easy day on the ICW . Lots of small boats out and about enjoying the holiday and good weather.  We are having a cocktail and listening to laughing gulls.  Very calm and very few boats here in the Anchorage so no issues at all.  Love it.  We will push tomorrow to make Fernandina then stay there for a day and then a few days at Cumberland Island which is nearby before,pushing on.  Thank you for following us. 

Monday's are for fishing!

EIDER 02-18-18 New Smyrna Beach, FL

Latitude/Longitude: N29°01.455' / W080°55.132'

0004 Eider is on the town dock at New Smyrna Beach.  Short run today.  Lots of folks out fishing and also saw dolphins, ducks, loons, white pelicans, manatees.  So much wildlife in Florida.  Oh and a large turtle.  Had brunch with Herb and Julia then back to the boat for a game of Hand and Foot - 'girls' crushed the 'boys'

EIDER 02-17-18

Latitude/Longitude: N28°46.951' / W080°46.371'

0003 now this is as remote an Anchorage as we have ever used in Florida.  We are trying to pick places we have not been so we can report a different one to you!! 

Actually this one put us reasonably close to New Smyrna so that we can arrive there, tomorrow  in plenty of time to visit with Herb and Julia.  

It is lovely here.  Very open to wind but winds are light tonight.  It is peaceful, pretty and oh so remote. Perfect for a stop when we do not plan to go ashore.  Have already had a martini and I made chicken curry for dinner.  S

EIDER 02-16-18
Latitude/Longitude: N27°59.103' / W080°32.563'

0002  hi there, we are on the road once again after a long time on a mooring.  Feels good. Very nice Anchorage tonight.  I went in for a brief swim and there was a nice sunset.  Let us know if you do not want these daily updates.

Looking forward to seeing you in May in Addison, Sue