Sailing with Bob & Vickie

February 2nd , 3rd , and 4th
Meeting the Atlantic
Feb 2 - Bob's first comment this morning is "Why did you let me buy that hot pink T-shirt?" I have to admit that a few comments have been made to poor Bob on his T-shirt choice. Left at 7:50 AM with Ernie & Mary on Islander close behind - headed to Jekyll Harbor Marina and we all arrived at 3:00PM without any problems - easy Groundhogs day. Bob is cooking his famous ribs and Ernie & Mary are coming aboard. We are truly enjoying spending time with the Islander crew.
Feb 3 - Bob and Ernie have discussed today's travels and we anticipate rough water as we pass the Atlantic inlet but it doesn't look any better in the days following so we decide to leave today and avoid the rain expected on Sunday to enjoy the Superbowl in the comforts of a marina while still trying to head south to warmer weather. We are all up and ready to leave Jekyll Island at 7:00 AM with coffee in our hands. The day starts out smoothly then extremely rough waters surround us and this is expected for at least 2 miles (remember we don't move very fast) until we pass the inlet - we keep in contact with Islander via the radio. This inlet is really rough and the waves are smashing us from the side - we consider turning back but we are too far along to not see it through and besides maybe it will calm down - turning back could be worse. We could have taken a different path to avoid the Atlantic, which is longer and can be shallow in places and looking back we probably should have gone that way but when we get through the worse part - we are all much stronger! It truly was an adventure that many would not like to share. After we pass the halfway point in the inlet and make our turn west the waters calm a little and we clean up the spilled coffee and check below to see how many items have fallen to the floor and relax a bit. Serendipity still has one more hurtle and that is the bridge at Amelia Island - with no tide boards and the tide still rising, Bob says should we try it or wait until lower tide? It's times like this when I'm really glad he is the Captain. Islander is not a sailboat so this is not an issue for them. Well guess what we decide - hmm - as we venture thru the bridge slowly, the instruments at the top of the mast scrape the underside of the bridge but travelling at such slow speed thru such a narrow opening with rapid water pushing us creates a different problem. Serendipity kisses the bridge fender boards and suffers a small amount of damage to the rub rail but it is fixable and we are thankful it isn't worse. I think Ernie & Mary are sorry to be following us - they were overwhelmed. At 3:25 PM we arrive at Beach Marina in Jacksonville, FL. Glad to be safely in a marina. Ernie does not plan to meet up with the Atlantic again - and here is a man that served in Vietnam - Thank you Ernie for your service. Well, it's now time for a few drinks and appetizers aboard the Islander, discuss today's adventure and be thankful to be safely in a marina. Quote from Friedrick Nietzsche "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

FEb 4- Superbowl Sunday
Time to do laundry, small chores on the boat. Bob runs his homemade tv antenna up the mast and voila - NBC comes in nice and clear. Rained most of the day but that's OK, it's still a beautiful day. Wonderful evening enjoying dinner on Serendipity with Ernie and Mary watching the Superbowl. Another fine day on the boat!