January to March 2022
Anchored off No Name Harbor
Sunsets over the water are beautiful!
Iguanas are everywhere – turns out they are an invasive species.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
Stiltsville, Cay Biscayne, Florida. Biscayne National Park
Key Largo Florida
Sunrise in Key Largo.
We worked our way back and forth from Key Biscayne to South Beach, Miami depending on the wind direction. Biscayne was much prettier and quieter, but was also more exposed.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
Each year when we sail down the coast, we hear frequent radio warnings about avoiding right whales. The warnings are so frequent that they have become background noise. About the only good thing is that the Coast Guard doesn’t broadcast the warnings at night so we don’t have to listen to them when doing an overnight passage. No more. From now on, we will listen more attentively.
On December 17th, 2021 we were enroute from the St John’s river (near Jacksonville, FL) to St Augustine, FL – a fairly short day trip. Weather was beautiful. Seas calm with a gentle southeast breeze. About 2 miles offshore and 5 miles south of the St Johns river sea buoy, Lyn saw something. She didn’t yell “thar she blows,” but she could have. Sure enough, a right whale headed north no more than a couple hundred yards farther offshore. Never blew again, but we could clearly see the back of a right whale.
Right whales are endangered with only about 400 left in the world. Hence the Coast Guard warnings about being careful during Right Whale mating and migration season.
We called the Coast Guard to report the sighting and had a fairly lengthy conversation about what we saw, where we were, etc. Then about 30 minutes later, we received a phone call from a researcher at Florida Fisheries. Another lengthy conversation with more detailed questions. At the end, Tom told us that a spotter plane was due to make it’s daily flight looking for whales and they would take a look at where “our” whale would be based on our sighting and guesstimate about course and speed.
That’s what we thought would be the end of our little bit of excitement.
Then about 2 hours later, Tom called back. Our whale was right where we projected but was not alone. Apparently we saw a yearling that was in company with 2 other whales. The spotter plane found them, took some more photos and called to thank us for the report.
Our whale is an as yet un-named calf of a Whale named Binary. It is Binary’s third documented calf.
Tom emailed us these pictures taken by various researchers.
As a cool sidenote, our yearling will be eligible for naming next year. Tom said that he would submit the name “Paperbird” as one of the choices for the researchers to vote on. How cool would that be to have a right whale named after your boat?
But if not…
As we were enjoying the Fernandina Christmas parade, we heard about another event here called Dickens on Centre (Main Street here is named Centre Street) It sounded like fun so we stayed an additional week and were very glad we did. Enough so that we’re hoping to put it on our calendar to return next year!
The opening show was a dramatic reenactment/reading of the entire book A Christmas Carol, all 26 voices performed by one actor. Took 90 minutes and every minute was spellbinding. An incredible performance!
Bigger than life version of the title page of A Christmas Carol
Marley is dead, but he walked the streets of the festival each night!
Lots of period outfits. She told us the skirt was very difficult to move around in.
More Dickensian characters
The Festival stage where the various groups performed. Lots of choirs, actors and such. This was also a unique seat to enjoy a small orchestra.
They set up an outdoor theater, mostly for kid-oriented movies like Polar Express. But they also snuck in a 2017 movie called The Man Who Invented Christmas, about the inspiration and writing of A Christmas Carol. Excellent movie about the book, especially if you are at all curious about the authoring process.
Victorian ladies on stilts!
A gentlemanly doff of the cap as he slowly pedals through the crowd
More characters. folks told us they break out their outfits just for this one festival.
The Chimney Sweep
A series of paintings from the book. Each was probably 8 feet tall and very intricate!
We watched this mural progress through the course of the festival. Each day, the artist added a bit more, filling in additional detail to the scene.
And each night there was a great fireworks display. Friday night, it was timed to start at the exact moment of the end of the dramatic acting out of A Christmas Carol.
The one worrisome bit about the fireworks is that they were launched each night from a barge anchored about 100 yds from Paperbird. We kept a bucket filled with water on deck just in case a stray ember headed our way. Fortunately, the winds blew debris away from us each night.
A beautiful Christmas tree to remind us of the real reason for the celebration: the birth of Jesus!
But if not…
Christmas Parade in Fernandina Beach FL
Lots of Christmas lights and music made for a festive time at the parade in Fernandina Beach.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
Blessings…Greg and Lyn
First sunset in Florida!!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
Blessings…Greg and Lyn
We stayed in St Mary’s long enough for their Christmas parade.
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4
Blessings…Greg and Lyn
We had a wonderful thanksgiving! We joined other cruisers for a potluck in the dining room of a local restaurant that’s closed on Thanksgiving Day. We were blessed by their generosity. The local yacht club provided turkey and ham. Cruisers brought the sides and desserts. It was a great time of meeting old friends and making some new ones.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
Blessings…Greg and Lyn
Sailing offshore, heading south.
Sunset
Sailing under a full moon.
Fishing and catching!!
Glorious sunrise!!
Crossing paths.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
Blessings…Greg and Lyn
Our afternoon entertainment in the anchorage!!
He quieted the sea with His power
Leaving Lookout Bight pre-dawn is our normal pattern. This time we opted for a short run down the coast to Wrightsville Beach, just inside Masonboro inlet. Only 70 miles. But we like to arrive places in daylight so that often means getting underway in darkness. That’s one of the reasons we like the bight. Easy in and out even in the dark.
Sunrise. Always a beautiful sight!
Our friends, the dolphins, playing in the bow wave
But if not…
