I've whined and moaned about weather long enough. We often say that's the main topic of conversation for Canadians and I've been a prime example lately. Let me just say that we have stayed in Fernandina Beach because of weather and that has not been a bad thing and this is why:

This morning, we woke up knowing that we weren't going to St Augustine today. The wind was howling and despite the heater, it was cold. So we made the decision; no fussing or doing the "will we/won't we" about it. Jim got up at 6:30 to tune in the SSB (single sideband radio) to listen to Chris Parker - the southern weather guru. It's the first morning this year that we've listened and it was a nice, familiar thing to do. He brewed some excellent coffee - another nice, familiar thing. We breakfasted on bread from the local bakery, spread with Peach/Angelica Jam from the Tangled Garden in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.

After checking email at the boaters lounge, we got in our rental car (from yesterday's run to West Marine) and drove out Atlantic St. to Main Beach on the ocean side of Amelia Island. The wind was blowing from the Northwest so that side was more sheltered, and it was there that everything really jiggled into perspective. As we walked down the beach, listening to the waves roll in, it all just settled into place. Yes, we had hats and gloves and scarves on, and a couple layers of fleece, AND we were walking down a beautiful deserted sandy beach with the sun on our faces, listening to the waves roll in, watching the birds skitter along, and keeping an eye out for pretty shells. We had no agenda - no place we had to be - and we were on a beach. That's what we set out to find this winter, and that is exactly what we have!

Interestingly, the three boats (Nelleke, Further and Passages) that had planned to leave here today and go outside for a 40 hour+ trip to Lake Worth (shiver, shudder) changed their minds and stayed put. We are not the only ones who adapt to our environment!

I'm going painting with Tina tonight. As for tomorrow ... we'll see!