Day 93 - Amelia Island Adventures

Captain Randy left the boat to return the car while the crew cleaned up, filled the water tank, and made breakfast.  We were on our way to Amelia Island via the ocean by 10:04 am.  The day was bright, sunny and the waters calm.  There were mostly homes on shore from St. Augustine to Point Fedra, about an hour into the trip.  Here we saw more mid-rise properties.  Soon we were at the St. John’s River and the Jacksonville area where we saw a large nuclear plant.

 

It was about this point when Captain Randy pointed off the starboard and said “There’s a whale!”  The rest of us raced to the starboard side of the boat and were amazed to see a large black whale with white markings on his head rise up out of the water and slowly sink back in.  It was a Northern Right Whale. Greg and I grabbed our cameras and were able to snap a few quick ones, proof of our unique sighting.  There are said to be only 350 left – what are the odds of that! Crew member Laurie wanted to go after him but apparently that’s against federal law – darn it.

Shortly after the whale sighting we were on the Cumberland Sound to the St. Mary’s River, the inlet to Amelia Island.  Sand dunes comprised the shore to the port and there were beaches to the north, but no buildings except Fort Clinch, a mid-19^th century coastal fortification.  We turned south onto the Amelia River, passing a large wood pulp plant on the east bank and arrived at Fernandina Beach Marina at 12:20 pm.  The marina was almost full, and had a few large yachts.  It is located right in the heart of the town of Fernandina Beach and we found some of the best local shopping we had come across in all of Florida.  Laurie and I had a fun afternoon browsing and making a few purchases.  We made dinner reservations at Lulu’s, a small restaurant with lovely outdoor tables that we later had to cancel as there was the Captain’s deal-breaker:  no rum.   Captain Randy and Greg didn’t last too long shopping, but somehow found a Mexican place called Peppers to get some cold beverages that put them in a much better mood.

Captain Randy was concerned about our plan to go to Jekyll Island the next day as the waters were very shallow near there.  He talked with one of the boat towing services for “local knowledge” and they advised against it.  So we changed our plans and decided to go to Brunswick, GA, instead, as long as we could get a slip.  Jekyll Island was only a 20 minute drive from Brunswick, and we could rent a car to get there.

Later we went to Brett’s Waterway Café, right in the marina, for dinner  (they had rum and food that was not fried) and a nice view of the sunset.  Had some yummy peel and eat shrimp and some Southern grits and collard greens. Greg was ready to go back to the boat after dinner, but the rest of us walked back into town.  We ended the evening outside the Green Turtle Tavern, listening to the Davis Turner Band cover songs from the 70’s. The band was a funky husband (vocals and guitar) wife (bass) and daughter (?) (drums) trio.  He had a really good voice and their song selection was excellent.

Note from the crew (Laurie)  about sleeping arrangements: Greg and I are snug as a bug in our mattress over the cabin table/bed, and we are getting the system down. The first night we bumped butts a few times but it’s very cozy and we are sleeping well. The boat is just beautiful and more importantly the bathroom works like a charm.