Back in USA

July 17, 2009 (Friday)

     

July 14, 2009 (Tuesday)

     We left the dock at Conch Inn Marina at Marsh Harbor, Abacos at 10a.m. after refueling.  We left the Sea of Abaco via North Man-of-War Cut and we were on our way back to the USA.  The winds were very light, under 10 knots most of the way.  They even dropped to under five knots for much of the time causing us to use the engine much of the way.  We did our usual 3 hour watches.  Chas had trouble sleeping when he was off watch.  I caught him taking cat naps while on watch during the day, but I was also in the cockpit, so it was OK.  Once we were in the Gulf Stream we got a boost of 3.8-3.9 knots speed.  We originally planned to go into US at St. Augustine, but the Gulf Stream helped to push further and we landed (intentionally) at Fernandina Beach at 5p.m. (1700) on Thursday July 16, 2009.  We called the US Customs number to check in using the US Customs Return Decal and discovered that it meant nothing. The agent in Jacksonville even asked Charlie what it was!   They sent a customs officer out to the boat and he checked us in.  This enabled us to leave the boat and go ashore for dinner.  Due to the Customs, we have no uncooked meats or fruits and vegetables on the boat.  We learned about this the last time we checked in with Customs (2007).  They confiscated all fruits, vegetables and meats we had provisioned with before leaving the Bahamas.

     Somehow today we will need to get some provisions and maybe a stop at a Walgreens to refill prescriptions, which will probably require us to get a cab to and from.  In the meantime we are enjoying  charming Old Fernandina Beach while we are here.  After dinner at the small French restaurant last night we stopped in at the Palace Bar which has been here since 1903!  It was Ladies' Night with a two person band.  The ladies were there and the men followed them. We were the oldest persons in the place, but we had a good time.    

     We will stay here today to rest up from our non-stop trip from The Abacos.  Then we will proceed north.  I'm not sure what our next stop will be.  I hope it will be Beaufort and then Charleston.  If so, we could be home on Sunday.