The long slog north

It took us 12 days of cruising, mostly on the motor, to reach St. Marys, Georgia. The wind was mostly from the north, allowing very few times when we could hoist a sail. And only once did we have the chance to slip out into the Atlantic. This was at the St. John's River north of St. Augustine, and then only for half a day until we reached the St. Marys Inlet.

It was a very pleasant sojourn, however, because of the variety of places we stopped at along the way. At Old Port Marina near North Palm Beach we arranged to have breakfast on board with a dear friend of Francie's -- Caroline and her four  children (husband working), who live nearby. One of the funkiest marinas was at Nettles Island, a man-made outpost on the oeean side of the waterway, where we celebrated Mother's Day with a special brunch at the marina's Landings Restaurant, a very excellent eatery. While there we walked to the Atlantic to dip our toes into the waves.

 After another stop at Fort Pierce where we anchored, we tied up the next afternoon at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch (see submersible left), so Jeff and Mira could interview scientists there who were studying the effects of agricultural runoffs that were causing algea blooms detrimental to the coastal waters, fisheries, and coral reefs. The submersible was the first commercially-built sub that allowed divers to exit and re-enter while submerged. Researchers there have found that the toxicities of Gulf of Mexico oil spill dispersants are greater than that of oil alone in affecting corals, oysters, shrimp, conch, and their planktonic food sources.

Other stopping points northbound were the Vero Beach City Marina, where we moored, and the Telemar Bay Marina at Eau Gallie, where we docked and met a fun couple, Carl and Rosie on their S/V Windward Spirit, whom we hope to meet again next fall on their return from Nova Scotia. And before reaching St. Augustine, a highlight of our cruise, we also stopped at Titusville, New Smyrna Beach, and the Palm Coast Marina.