After a wonderful Christmas with Friends, Family and even snow on Christmas Day (thanks to a visit to North GA to see Mom and Dad), we were anxious to get back to the boat we had left in Jacksonville for the month.
We spent 4 days getting things ready to go and installing a few new and repaired boat components. After waiting for some weather to come through Wednesday we checked the tide tables and picked out departure time to get under the Fuller Warren bridge at low tide. This bridge is fixed and has a clearance of 75 feet at mean low water.
At just under 77 feet off the water, with antennas, we had taken down everything from the top of the mast and planned a precise time to go under the bridge at the lowest possible tide. The Fuller Warren bridge has a railway bridge right beside it but this bridge stays lifted unless a train is coming so it is normally not a problem. As we squeezed under the Fuller Warren with inches to spare, the railroad lights started flashing warning boats that the railroad bridge was closing (clearance closed = 10 feet). We had literally made it through the bridges with inches and seconds to spare!
One last bridge, the lifting Main Street Bridge, stood between us and a clear run to the Atlantic. We called the bridge operator and stalled for time while he stopped traffic.
After the Main Street Bridge we pulled along side the Promenade at Jacksonville Landing for a tie up overnight.

Friday morning Charles got his gear together and all of the boat antennas so we could reinstall them and carry on with our cruise.
From the ground, you can barely make him out up there.
I bet you're wondering what it's like to be that far up the mast. Charles took the camera with him this time to give you an idea!

Looking down on Main Street Bridge and Jacksonville Landing:







Antennas up and tested - we were ready to head down the river at noon.

We are a few miles down the river and safely anchored for the night. We'll make our way to the Atlantic tomorrow morning and sail down the coast to St Augustine. Stay tuned!