Maida Landing on the St. Johns River to Blount Island on the St. Johns River

Yesterday, we packed up some Thanksgiving leftovers and drove to Jacksonville where our crew waited.  The crew consisited of 8 adults and 7 children, so we had a full house!  The three hour sail was lazy and meandering, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  It was a "first" for most of the Maida clan and I think we have a few converts!  Several took a turn at the wheel and lots of pictures were created down in the salon, along with a few paper airplanes!  Our 4 year old granddaughter Zoe chose to sleep aboard with Grand Mar and Popov after an enjoyable BBQ hosted by Jerry and Sandy Maida.

Today had two starts.  At 2:30 AM Martha and I awoke to a west wind that was bouncing us unnecessarily against the well fendered dock at Maida's but then we also felt ourselves bouncing against the bottom more and more frequently.  We abandoned the dock and motored about 5 boat lengths from the dock and baptized the Manson Supreme anchor.  Anchor held well and we spent a restfull rest of the night.  Zoe slept through the whole exercise.

About 8:00 AM we lowered the dinghy and delivered Zoe to her Dad and other Grandfather who came out on the dock to get her.  We returned to Brunelle, hoisted the dinghy, and headed down the St. Johns.   It was an uneventful ride and we chose to stop here instead of heading into the ICW against a strong current.  The tables say that early in the morning we can ride with the current most of the way to St. Augustine (first an incoming tide and then outgoing on the half of the 36 mile trip.  We'll see!  Weather isn't real promising and there is a chance that we will sit here and wait for Monday morning. ~~~(\_~~~D&M
Google Earth track file

Dan captured the Maida crew before we set sail.

Zoe enjoys breakfast aboard Brunelle on her own special "table"

There was very little traffic on the St. John's River today, but what
there was, was BIG!