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<\/a><\/p>\nThe bridge below is the Main Street Bridge. The St Johns has a strong current and as we waited a fellow boater actually lost control of their boat because of a mechanical failure and was swept right into the bridge. There was no damage to the bridge but certainly significant damage to the boats mast\u2026he gads. <\/p>\n We took a dock at Ortega Landing in on the Ortega River. Lovely marina.<\/p>\n First order of business was for the Admiral to produce one of her much sought after \u201cBowline Bags\u201d for the Pentagon Sailing Club Awards Dinner Raffle. <\/p>\n On Thanksgiving we hopped in our rental car and drove to Vero Beach to join in the annual Cruisers Thanksgiving Lunch. It was a lovely time and we enjoyed meeting up with friends we had not seen since last winter. After that, we headed to St Augustine to enjoy and evening catching up with my Great Uncle Wayne, Carmen and my cousins. It was a wonderful evening!!!!<\/p>\n Before long is was time to get underway. While we at the dock in Ortega a cruise ship actually struck the Main Street Bridge in addition to the sail boat. Needless to say the events of that week added a bit of anxiety and silently we were happy to be though this ship eater!!<\/p>\n Here is the ship that struck the bridge being repaired in a nearby yard.<\/p>\n I guess that is the ships dinghy\u2026or maybe they are just hauling that guy to the Caribbean for the winter.<\/p>\n Beautiful transit day down the ICW to St Augustine. <\/p>\n As we approached the \u201cBridge Of Lions\u201d in downtown St Augustine who do we see but Uncle Wayne & Carmen. <\/p>\n It was a real treat for us and and we hope for them as well. Be warned my Uncle Wayne is 98, I have his genes, I can only HOPE to be getting around like he is at that age!<\/p>\n As we transited down the ICW it was easy to see the damage that was done by the recent hurricane Mathew. We would guess the 60% of the docks along the ICW were damaged.<\/p>\n There is a huge backlash against people who anchor in Florida. It is a very complicated issue that does affect our anchoring choices. Sadly this is just one example of a nearly derelict boat. Sadly at some point this boat will likely sink, be abandoned and left for the state to clean up and remove. <\/p>\n Never forget though we are blessed with some wonderful scenery along the way. <\/p>\n Magnolia has never made a stop at the New Smyrna Beach (NSB) and our friend Cheryl has spoken highly of the town many times. We decided we would make the stop. Annette sent a message to Cheryl to let her know we finally made it. Little did we know that Cheryl was on a business and made a 36 hour stop in NSB. It was an amazing coincidence and allowed us to share a few minutes catching up. <\/p>\n Proceeding south we passed Cape Canaveral and Vehicle Assembly Building<\/a>. <\/p>\n We had to make our traditional stop at Coco Village. We really enjoy this town and over the times we have stopped here have made many wonderful memories! Always a happy place for us!<\/p>\n As soon as we arrived Vero Beach, maintenance began. In this case Annette got after troubleshooting a problem with the oven broiler. Very proud!<\/p>\n SV Anania and SV Agya along with Magnolia met up for a casual dinner. We also had the opportunity to dine with Ann Catchick who is our SSCA Homeport Representative. Sadly we gabbed the night away and forgot the picture!!!! <\/p>\n After departing Cumberland island we headed to Jacksonville, FL to meet up with our friends Greg & Marie from Second Sally. We had and easy passage down the ICW and up the St Johns River. The bridge below is the … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"