Monday, April 1, 2019

Moving Up the East Coast: Marathon to Charleston

We left Marathon on Monday March 25th.  We had a great visit with our friend Brad Hanks from Wilmington, NC.  He and Keith got to watch the start of the NCAA Basketball tournament together.  As Brad got off the boat on Monday, he snapped some pictures of Southern Style leaving Marathon.

Southern Style pulling out of Marlin Bay Marina in Marathon, FL

Off we go, on the move north.  We will make our way up the east coast.  We want to spend several weeks in Ocracoke this spring, then our plan is to meet up with 2-3 other boats/friends in NYC in June.  From there all of us will head to Maine for the summer.

Southern Style leaving Marathon

Our first day was a run from Marathon to Fort Lauderdale.  We ran outside (in the ocean instead of the ICW) as the weather was so nice.  Made it to Fort Lauderdale and had a bite to eat, then an early evening so we could head out early the next day.

Our second day weather was also wonderful and we went back out into the Atlantic so Keith could do some fishing while we cruised north.

This is Keith enjoying a cigar and fishing while I am driving.

Unfortunately,  he had only a nibble but no fish got hooked.  I guess that is why it's called fishing and not catching.  Maybe next time.  Our second night was spent at Fort Pierce, FL.  The weather report for the next day was predicting strong winds, so we planned to continue up the ICW (intracoastal waterway) on Wednesday.  It was good that we did as the wind was really bad by mid-day.

Whitecaps and strong wind in the ICW.  Captain Keith said it was the worst he has seen in the ICW.

Waves splashing on the bow of Southern Style

Coming into the marina at Cocoa Village with 25-30 knot wind was a bit nerve racking, but Keith was amazing.  He got a standing ovation in the dock office after we docked.  Luckily the wind had improved by Thursday morning and the trip to New Smyrna Beach was pleasant and we got in early (about 1:45PM).  This gave us plenty of time to wash down the boat and I did some laundry.  We then met friends Max and Kathy ( their boat is "Air Time") for $5.00 margaritas and dinner at Cork Screw Bar and Grill.  

Margarita at Cork Screw Bar and Grill

Friday morning we cruised the ICW to St. Augustine, FL.  This is a great city that we have been to several times.  Dinner was at the Columbia Restaurant.  They have a Spanish/Cuban flare cuisine and have been in St. Augustine forever.  Famous people like Marylin Monroe and Joe DiMaggio have eaten there.

St Augustine Light

The Columbia Restaurant for dinner Friday night

My Cuban combo with yellow rice

Leaving St. Augustine Saturday morning going through the Bridge of Lions


From St. Augustine we cruised to Amelia Island, FL again on the ICW.
There was a nice anchorage near the inlet at Amelia Island, and this was perfect for us.  The anchorage had us positioned just right to take off early Sunday morning and head out the inlet to make an ocean run to Charleston, SC.

Dolphin visiting us at anchor Saturday afternoon

Sunrise as we are heading out the inlet at Amelia Island


We had some large ships as company as we passed the Savannah area

The weather (wind and waves) were marginal at 2-4 foot seas building slightly toward afternoon.  They were from our port stern however, which made for a good ride and we were in Charleston City Marina by 3 PM on Sunday.

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