.

March 4, 2013 Day 297

Beach Marine
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Total miles to date: 5017.1




Bridge of Lions opening for us

We left our slip at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and headed directly for the fuel dock this morning. We made the 9:30 opening for the Bridge of Lions, which was right next to the marina and then headed north up the ICW. We were soon at the St. Augustine Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean, but we chose to stay in the ICW and go north on the Tolomato River!

Passing by The Castillo de San Marcos
as we depart St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Inlet to the ocean

Much of the trip was narrow and bordered by marshland. However, there were lovely homes that lined the shore on the east side of the ICW for about six miles near Palm Valley. Even there the west shore line was not inhabited.



Lovely homes on the ICW near Palm Valley

We had planned to anchor near Jacksonville Beach, just north of the McCormick Bridge.  We could not get a good hold on either attempt there, so we left, and then called Beach Marine and made a reservation. We were there in less than thirty minutes, got a pump put, and were tied up at the dock.  We have decided to stay here two nights.  We had dinner on board and just spent the evening relaxing.  We have now gone over 5000 miles on our journey!

We may go to the beach tomorrow!