Jacksonville/St. Augustine

We left Fernandina on a rising tide which happened to be at noon so we didn't travel very far that day.  We anchored off the ICW a little past the St. Johns River in the Jacksonville area. We had just finished a great dinner of Chinese bbq chicken and the fixings and decided to play a few hands of cards as we were waiting for an approaching storm.  Rylee started barking - which he does when he hears, sees and smells dolphin. Ed and I both thought that was what it was until we saw blue flashing lights around Makai.  Eva went to the cockpit and noticed a coast guard boat circling us.  She asked if everything was alright and they stated - just checking to see if you were o.k. as they saw the flashing lights on Makai.  The lights are an auxiliary anchor light that are solar powered attached to the stern arch. We did have a few squalls with some lightening and thunder and heavy rain, but all was fine.

 We left  the anchorage Wednesday morning and made our way to St. Augustine.  We were able to anchor right after noon just north of the Bridge of Lions which is being restored to it's full glory by dismantling it and rebuilding it on and off site. This bridge has served the city for over 80 years and it has been and will be again the prettiest bridge on the ICW.  As construction is going on a new temporary lift bridge was built there  to let boat traffic pass and will be completely removed after all construction is completed.  St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida and another one of our favorites.  We are going to find the "Fountain of Youth" so we both can stay young a little longer! 

  

There are so many places and things to see in St. Augustine, one being the Great Cross.  It is a massive structure made of stainless steel and rises 280 feet above the marshes of the Matanza River. The cross weighs 70 tons and to prevent any damage from hurricane force winds, the lower 65 feet is filled with concrete.  It has lights shining on it at night. One can easily stay here for several days and not see everything.  St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida and surely one of our favorites.