We're in Florida!

We are excited to have made it to Florida. It feels like (finally) we've made progress south! Since Isle of Hope, GA, we spent one night anchored out, docked at Jekyll Harbor Marina, and are now docked at Fernandina Harbor Marina.

We anchored out at New Teakettle Creek in Georgia and it was less eventful than our last anchoring experience - a very good thing. We used a bridle from the start and also used our dingy anchor as a kettle to hold the anchor rode lower in the water allowing us to properly swing over the anchor rode. The wind was no where near what it was the other night, when we think what threw us off was the boat was being pushed in the direction of the current, but still sitting facing into the wind. The anchor kettle was suggested by several other Maine Cat owners. It was also a relief to hear that others had similar problems, and that we were on the right track to a solution (we rigged a bridle that first night and were researching how to use a kettle for the next time).

Happily Anchored

We were a little worried because it was supposed to be in the 30's the night we anchored, and since we weren't going to be plugged in to shore power, we would be without heat. It might not have been quite as cold as forecasted, but we were amazed at how warm it was. We've been wimps, we could have anchored way sooner. We spent a little less time in the cockpit because the hulls were a little warmer, we stayed bundled up, and we stayed in bed a little later than normal (almost 7:30 am!) but I was never COLD. It's supposed to be 28 tonight though so we decided maybe we aren't THAT tough.

Yesterday we docked at Jekyll Harbor Marina. I was excited because the guidebook mentioned a Sea Turtle Center on the island. I wasn't exactly sure what a Sea Turtle Center was, but from some of the reviews it sounded like it really had potential, and I've always really loved turtles. It closed yesterday at 5:00 and Ben and I agreed that sitting down at the bar, and drinking gin and tonics was more important, but this morning I was able to convince Ben to delay our departure, check out bikes from the marina and head over the the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We are so glad we did! The center is a rehabilitation center for ill and injured sea turtles and an educational facility for people. I wasn't 100% sure we'd get to see actual turtles, but I was really excited to find out there were giant tanks of all different sized turtles. We also got to watch one of the employees weigh baby loggerheads, and a baby terrapin and a one year old loggerhead have breakfast (separately). We were really lucky - while we were walking around the educational part we started talking to Mike, an Americorp volunteer. He ended up giving us a personal tour of the center, and answered almost all of our questions. He also had some questions for us about living on a sailboat (I think we were able to answer most of his questions, too). My favorite turtle was Arribada, a juvenile Kemp's Ridley sea turtle with a damaged front leg. I identified with this turtle even if missing an engine might not really be comparable to missing a leg. I was pleased to hear from Mike that a 3 legged turtle does NOT swim in circles.

Tonight we are docked at Fernandina Harbor Marina in Florida! Right after we docked Ben noticed a seafood store very close to the dock and ran over in case it was closing at 5:00 pm. He came back carrying a large paper bag and said there was good news and bad news. I assumed the good news was better since he was obviously carrying something yummy - the bad news was they only sell crabs by the dozen. We also called a cab and took a ride to the Publix. The cab driver, RJ, was great, and also took us to the Walmart to buy a heavier dingy anchor to use as our kettle. We also mentioned that it is a real shame that none of the marinas on the trip have a RedBox. It seems like such a no brainer - cruisers are cheap ($1 movie!), don't get a chance to see movies when they come out, and can't use a mail service like Netflix. Also, most cruisers would probably rent and watch the movie that same night, so it wouldn't be a big deal to just walk it back to the RedBox if it was right at the marina. As soon as we mentioned it RJ got on his cell phone to call a friend. So, if you see any RedBoxes crop up at marinas in the next year, thank us, and RJ.