We sure enjoyed our stay in Jacksonville but it was time to move and what better place to visit in the holiday season than St Augustine ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine,_Florida ). You might be able to see the shoaling around the inlet from the ocean, always and area that deserves a little extra attention.

St Augustine Light is always a welcome site. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light )

Though we have walked through before we have never taken the guided tour of Flagler College. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagler_College ) previously known as the Pnce Hotel ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponce_de_Leon_Hotel ) . Sitting in the peaceful courtyard was just a perfect moment of relaxation….HIGHLY recommended.

The building and grounds are the former Ponce Hotel and are decorated beyond description! Yes those are Tiffany glass windows and chandeliers!

As always the highpoint of any port visit is the opportunity to meet up with family. Though my Great Uncle Wayne passed away last year we did get to see (L-R) Larry, Barbara, Annette, Anthony, JY, Pam

Carmen slaved in the kitchen for desert so how could we decline?????

We also had a lovely evening with the crew of S/V SeaSprite ( https://www.facebook.com/SeaSprite30/ ). Yes I missed that picture too!!! Obviously we departed St Augustine on the low tide, hence the channel mark laying on its side!!!

We have been dealing with an intermittent issue with out HAM/SSB Radio and two members of the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club ( https://www.waterwayradio.net/ ) stepped forward to help, one with a dock and another with technical assistance. Ridge was quick to determine I had installed a connector incorrectly. With that we were repaired and enjoyed a lovely evening with our dock hosts Jeanie and Bill telling sea stores well past cruisers mid-night!

We were in Palm Coast about 80,miles from Cape Canaveral but had a perfect view of watch the Boeing Atlas launch.

Jeanie came out to see us off! Thank you so much for the hospitality. We much appreciated!

As we headed north we knew we were going to have a good passage with a view like that!

I think the sunshine put everyone (thing) in a good mood because it was not long until the dolphins came out in force to play in our wake!

Ok, and the birds were singing too….I told you it was a great day!

Next time on up to the Cape and Cocoa Village!

I was expecting a low key wind down to our departure from Jacksonville but that was not to be the case. We kept busy, had a great movie night with Tim & Diane (MV Acadia). Ford vs Ferrari I thought was really really good!

There was also Boys Day over to the Naval Air Station. Tim flew for the Navy and was a great guide! We the boys dont get out and do this enough!

Diane (Acadia), Annette & Ellen (Sea Dweller) enjoy the Avondale Christmas street fair.

Diane (Acadia), Ellen & Jeff (Sea Dweller) Annette

Trying my hand at some gelcoat repair

Ok that is enough work….now for the Tree Trimming & “Toys for Tots” collection

Vicki & Annette enjoying the festivities

Two more fenders, covers and a couple coats of varnish.

A moment of celebration aboard Confetti

After a month in Jacksonville it was time head out. It was a lovely morning making passage down the St Johns River.

Arriving St Augustine and St Augustine Light ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light )

Looking forward to our visit to St Augustine !!!

Magnolia departed Brunswick on a cool wet morning with a stretch goal to get down near Jacksonville on the St Johns River so off we went.

We had a pretty good run down to the St Johns River. The one caveat “we” need to remember is the small section in ST Catherines Sound that is kind of (really exposed) in the midst of a north-east wind! Note to self….

In the end we made the trip fine and spent an evening at anchor behind Blount Island off the St Johns River.

The following day we had an easy trip over to Ortega River and Ortega Landing Marina. Our friends on Confetti had made arrangements for us and several other crews to volunteer at a local homeless shelter / soup kitchen. A humbling experience for sure…

Back aboard Magnolia I always have a “big” project I accomplish when we are at the dock for a length of time. This stops project is a lite sanding and a couple coats of varnish on the teak cap-rail.

I did a major job on the cap-rail last year but just wanted to add a maintenance and at the same time improve my application skill. Bottom line, I need more practice though I did better than last year!

Next up was celebrating Thanksgiving. Ortega Landing Marina catered Turkey & Hams and the boats provided the side dishes. Below is our friends Mack & Vicki (Confetti) with their daughter Lucy.

On “Black Friday’ we went back to work at the soup kitchen again. I have to say I “hear” how some people assert the less fortunate are just living off the dole or living off the system etc.I will tell you straight out there was only one person out of about 150 I met that I “felt’ was really working the systems and projected a entitlement attitude. Only one, everyone else was as appreciative as you could be believe. For me this opportunity was a good and humbling experience. This idea people generally want to live off the government I feel is complete BS but thats just my opinion.

We will be heading for St Augustine and then further down the coast next week. We really don’t know where we will be for Christmas yet. Just have to play by ear. Hope this finds everyone safe and well!