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Good Morning!!

Spring time Sunrise in St. Augustine, FL

Our final days in St Augustine, FL are filled with activity, chores, and out of the mist……

Foggy High Tide at Camachee Cove Marina

Queen Anne’s Revenge leaves our quiet cove…

Queen Anne’s Revenge leaving the Cove looking to plunder

To plunder….        The Black Raven Pirate Ship!!

Black Raven Pirate Ship at Dock in St. Augustine, FL waiting for passengers, booty and loot to be loaded.

The Black Raven leaves the Old Town St Augustine almost every day.  The guests on board get an idea of the life of a seaman on a pirate boat by sailing into the ICW.   Sounds like great fun.

Queen Anne’s Revenge meets the Black Raven out on the river.  Queen Anne’s Revenge circles the big pirate ship at least once.

Pirate battle begins

Queen Anne’s Revenge shoots a cannon to threaten the bigger Black Raven Pirate ship.  BOOM!  We see the smoke and then the cannon noise hits seconds later.  Belay There, Matey!!  The smaller Queen Anne’s approaches and tries to board the bigger ship.  Oftentimes, we can hear the swords clanging as the bigger ship crew fends off the pirates.

Queen Anne’s Revenge tries to board the bigger boat!

Alas, Queen Anne’s Revenge limps back to port empty handed.  Maybe tomorrow, it shall succeed!!

As we walked around the marina the last days, we noticed a hidey hole for all sorts of birds.  A rookery?  I counted three different types of herons in these trees.  Magnificent large night herons.  Double the size that we saw daily in Sarasota.  Only seen at high tide.  At low tide, all the birds are out and feeding.  Wayne was wondering…. where are the gators??  Wouldn’t they be interested in knowing about this place?

Blue, White, and Night herons roosting in these trees

Night Heron sitting patiently for dark

SPRING TIME –  Outside of one of the Boater Lounges is a gorgeous southern oak tree.  It shades the concrete picnic table that we often stopped for a cup of coffee as we watched the fishing charters load their boats with bait and people and roar out of the marina to be the first ones to catch a few.  You can tell it is springtime when you are sitting under a tree and you have these drop on your eyeglass frame, shoulder, and beard.  Yikes!!

Later followed by tiny…tiny…red spiders.  Very tiny.  Needless to say, I don’t think I drank any but they were tiny and I just might have!  I did have Wayne dust off my blouse incase any caterpillars or spiders or pollen fell on me.  You never know.  Wayne?  Well, he does brush out his beard every now and then.

The spring rains bring little mushrooms generally un-noticed.  I like this white delicate mushroom.  I can imagine a tiny frog using it as an umbrella.

Or the Columned Stinkhorn.  I waited for this little red mushroom to open up and sprout a beautiful round red canopy.  To my chagrin, it did not.  It stays all closed up and just oozes that dark sticky fluid.  That fluid is what attracts insects say the experts.  It is called a “stinkhorn” because it smells like rotten lettuce.  I didn’t get close enough.  A few days later it melted back into the bark as if it never was there.  Such is life as a mushroom!

Lastly, the cannonball jelly fish were still in abundance.

Cannonball Jelly Fish

The Pelicans disappeared to follow the shrimp boats I imagine and the fishermen didn’t notice.  At high tide, we were graced with the sight of a manatee up close.  It was feeding on all the seaweed growing on the submerged edge of the floating dock.  At low tide, I could see how the manatee got its nickname of sea cow.  It had nibbled off all the newly grown green seaweed.

Manatee at the side of our dock

We could almost touch this guy.  But he was determined to gnaw away.  Our footsteps on the floating dock didn’t scare him away.  He finally drifted back into the high grass and disappeared.

Nosey little fella

A great sunset to send us on our way….

Sunset in St Augustine Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor

Red sky at night…. Sailors Delight.

I read somewhere that when you stay at one place long enough you can experience new events that might escape a normal cruiser.  Meet the marina people.  Learn the roads and the best side streets to Walmart, WestMarine, and Wendy’s.  This is true.  We know Highway 1 north and south of this marina well enough not to have to use my smart phone app for directions.  We have learned the coming and goings of the fishing boats big/small.  We have a good idea of which boats have live-aboard humans versus empty boats waiting for company.   We are learning which commercial fishermen are considerate boaters and which ones are rude enough to wake us every time they come and go out of the marina.  There is a definite rhythm to life around a marina.  We are learning the tides and how that might affect our future travels.  All pretty pedestrian as compared to the critter life that surrounds us every day.  I know that ya’ll may be bored with my low tide musings.  There is life around the low tides in St Augustine that I find most fascinating.

I can see all sorts of life in the water’s edge at low tide.   For example, can you see the crab?  By the clump of seaweed?

Do you see the crab hiding?

How about now?  Isn’t it cute?  Hiding in plain sight.  Not enough for dinner.

Close up of the Crab

We have seen several “blobs” on the sand in the low tide.  Remember the first day we arrived in St. Augustine?  I photographed a “blob” later identified as a Cannonball Jelly fish.  I see them every couple of low tides.  Here is one that I decided to keep an eye on.

Cannonball Jelly Fish on the sand at low tide

I waited for the tide to rise.  The jelly fish stayed there throughout the sunny day, exposed.  I watched high tide come in and cover this little jelly fish.  It was late in the evening as the local time approached 8:30pm.  I watched waiting for movement.  A burp, a poop, or something got blurped out of this jelly. I think I see something moving..a fin or skirt or whatever that thing that moves.   It was alive!!  If only the sunset would wait.  Alas, darkness fell and I lost view of this little guy.  I was hopeful that the water would rise high enough this little fellow could get off the sand into deeper water.

Rising Tide covering the Jelly Fish

The sand spot was empty the next morning.  Wonderful!!  Then I spied a jelly on a low piling not too far away.    Could it be the same jelly fish from the sand I saw the night before?  How could one jelly fish encounter so many obstacles in its short life?  Looks about the same size.  Really?

4 ft pilings with a temporary resident

The first high tide was short several inches of covering the jelly fish. We wondered if we should nudge it into the water, but common sense prevailed.  We didn’t have a stick long enough to reach the Jelly safely and do no harm.    It was on this piling for over 24 hours through 2 tides before it was finally washed off.  We just hoped that during the next night tide the water would rise enough to help this guy out.  It survived a sunny day!!  Sometime during the night high tide, this fella was able to leave its perch and move on.

I would like to think it is this guy we saw a couple of days later…

Near the dock walls.  It looks about the right size.

How low is low?  Sandy low. I shared a moment with this white heron checking out the possibilities for breakfast.

A moment shared looking for breakfast

This can’t be the same fellow from before, can it?  See the sandy bump to the left of the Jelly fish?  This guy kept bumping into the sand hump and couldn’t get around it.  Wait for high tide, bub!

Sand Hump at low tide impeding progress

This evening, as I am diligently still trying to see my first turtle in the marina, I spied this thing in 2ft water.  Only at low tide would I be able to view such wonder…

Is this not the coolest little water critter you have ever seen!?!?

Sunset in St Augustine, FL

We decided to take a trip to the Historical Downtown St. Augustine area.  It was a sunny cool day, so why not go adventuring into Tourist Land.  We fully expected droves of humans abounding everywhere.  Spring break is here and although most of the school districts try to stagger their breaks, you can tell that school is out.  Lots of little and not-so-little children running around.  The not-so-little look like that pre-teen age where they really don’t want to be seen with their parents.  hahahaha  Luckily most of them have their handy cell phone so they can text their friends and not look where they are going.

We found the parking garage easily enough.  The first stop is the Visitor’s Information Center.  I had to stop and take a picture of the mosaic in the front walkway.  Lots of individual pieces of tile that made this definitely a piece of art.

St. Augustine Vistor Information Center mosaic entry

I took a picture of the other side that was completely in the sun…

St. Augustine Visitor Information Center Mosaic

Of course, my thought was for the person bending over putting in each piece by hand to end up with such beauty.  Ever lasting, right?  Such detail.  Fantastic.

We picked up a couple of maps of the Downtown area so that we wouldn’t get lost. “Big Fat Book of Coupons” found its way into my back pocket.  I found a 10% off coupon for lunch.  Gotta try out “Harry’s”.  10% off might pay for my beer.  😉

One of the wall hangings is an artist’s rendition of an early Florida map made in 1630 made by a Dutch West India Company cartographer.  I love old maps and how early explorers viewed coastlines.  Where is the Panhandle?  Was Florida really that small once?

Early Map of Florida

Out back of the Visitor Information Center is a large water fountain of the “6 Monks”.  These are actually mask reproductions from the sister City of Aviles, Spain donated to St. Augustine in 2005.  The “Canos of San Fransciso” is a historic landmark in Aviles, Spain.

Fuente de los Canos de San Francisco

Fountain side view

They look beautiful and a bit creepy all at the same time.  Are they whistling? Are they looking at me?

Around the corner on our way to the Historical District is the Public Burial Cemetery.

Public Burial Ground Sign St. Augustine

We overheard a tour guide mention that if you were interested in ghosts to visit the cemetery after dark.  Well, every ghost hunter knows that ghosts aren’t just in cemeteries at night, but all the time.  I took a bunch of pictures to see if I caught any orbs or mists.   I like this monument.  Lots of rock, high enough to be above the water table, and gated to keep the riff raff out.  Probably a very important person is buried under all that stone.

Public Burial Grounds

Unfortunately it was a very bright day so no need to use a flash.  I didn’t use a magnifying glass but I didn’t see anything obvious.  Do you?  Nice peaceful garden in the middle of metropolitan St. Augustine.

We ventured onto St. George Street in the middle of the shopping area.  As you can see it is a nice concrete pedestrian street with store fronts on both sides of the road.   A combination of historical buildings, shops, and restaurants.  The trees lined along the street created a nice shady place to stop and people watch from time to time.  Plenty of benches and rest areas for visitors old and young to wait for their women folk to finish their shopping.

Historical Downtown shopping area

The oldest School House in America.  I didn’t go in, but I saw this enterprising student.  See the squirrel under the eave of the sign?  I chastised the proprietors of the shop for throwing peanuts to the squirrel.  There is plenty of food for them amongst the trees.  The proprietor said she just couldn’t resist their begging.  You know on hind legs with arms up looking adorable.

Squirrel in attendance

Then I told the proprietor to beware…. “When Squirrels Attack”!!  ( I think it is supposed to be a movie like the Sharknado for all you SyFy fans.  Campy but fun ).  hahaha  I know she thought I was crazy.

Can’t resist the Tiki totem pole.  Everyone should have one in their back yard!

Tiki Bird totem

Old building with a water wheel.  This was outside of a ‘bar and grill’.  No stone ground flour found.  The outside of the building looks original, doesn’t it.

Water mill

It was getting late and time for our lunch.  Looking at the sightseeing map, we decided to take a short cut off St. George’s street to Charlotte Street.  We found the street to be made from bricks.  Beautiful but hard to walk on.

Charlotte Street

Some of the bricks were stamped.  Looks like a mixture of old and new bricks.  Nice view.

Stamped bricks

One side of Charlotte Street had a few shops and Inns.  The other side of the street were the backsides of stores.  The street reminded me of New Orleans.  Trees, old houses, brick roads, and store rear ends.  Aren’t these the cutest Inns?!

Inn on Charlotte

Hemingway Inn

Both brightly painted.  Adorable!!  Close to the waterfront and shopping district!

Speaking of shopping.  I saw this sign and had to investigate.  “Filthy Rich”.  A jewelry store.  The store has reproductions of “stars” jewelry.  Like the diamonds that Angelina Jolie wears for only $39.  What a bargain!

Filthy Rich

We did find lunch.  It was ok.  We have had better and worse.  So, ok.  They did have a 3D ceramic wall insert that was eye catching.  Wayne had the jambalaya which meant we had to find ice-cream on the way back to the boat to cool down the spices.  😉

Harry’s Grille wall Ceramic

To the waterfront!!  We saw one of the old galleons, pirate ships, and this big beauty.  The American Cruise ship that does river cruises up and down the east coast of Florida.

America Cruise Line Docked at St. Augustine City Marina

El’ Galeon

El Galeon that is open for tours to get you a perspective of how a 16th century sailor’s life was.  This boat is 170 feet long and takes 28 crew members to work the over 9000 square feet of sails.  Doesn’t look so big from the Bridge of Lions over the Matanzas River.  I took a picture of it from the waterway as we were entering St. Augustine.

We had a great day.  Lots of fresh air, sights, sounds, and plenty of exercise.

Sunset in St Augustine

Today looks like a perfect day for fishing.  If I only had a pole.

Sunrise greeting Fishing Folks

This marina has many fishing boats big and small.  From a small boat that looks like it will only handle 2 people…

Little fishing boat – another one

To a line of boats on both sides of the dock.  Some rather large tall fishing boats.

Line of fishing boats

Sunrise at the docks – smooth waters

The boats start leaving the marina from dawn to mid morning.  I don’t know exactly where these fishing boats go.  Many of these boaters are competitors in the chartering business and their secret places will remain such.  People start arrive with smiles and light steps as they eagerly climb aboard their boat.  Friends of boat owners or paid charter clients.   They have their igloos of ice, cases of beer, and maybe a sandwich.  You can hear laughter as everyone gets ready for a perfect fishing day.

This guy was hanging out at one of the pilings acting like a “Look Out” midmorning patiently waiting.  His eye following us as we walked by trying to see if we had any morsels to offer, I am sure.  We can see his eye ball give us the once over then move away into the distance.  No handouts from us.

Look out Charlie

These two were squawking all morning waiting for the boats to return.

Pair of gulls acting as lookouts as well

Birds stationed around the marina to put the call out to the others.  I saw pelicans stationed at several of the pilings around strategic fish cleaning stations.  Getting ready.

The fish cleaning station is pictured below.  Pretty simple.  A bench with water.  Bring your own fish.  The orange faded sign tries to inform the fishermen put their fish parts in the garbage can and not into the marina water.

Fish cleaning station

At this marina, there are 2 different kinds of boater bins.  Bins or Carts to carry supplies and whatnots.  We use these carts to carry supplies from the parking lot to the boat.   We thought the white carts were kind of cute.  Smaller but easier to handle going down the narrow ramps around here.

Bins or Carts

Then, we saw why these cute carts are so popular.  Fishermen carry their fish from the boats to the cleaning station in them.  Makes us wonder if we should wash one before we use it?  I don’t want to get “fish smell” on my stuff.

Today’s catch – fish in a bin

Good fishing today.  Red Snapper is easy to discern.  The other fish??  No clue.  The charter owner is cleaning fish and throwing some handouts to the pelicans below.  His clients are standing around waiting for their fish to be cleaned and stuffed into a ziplock bag.  All a part of the chartering business, I suppose.

Pelicans gathering

Sometimes the pelicans are patient.

Pelicans all lined up waiting for their handout

Sometimes they nip at each other as they dive and throttle each other for whatever fish remains are thrown in their direction.  Such moochers.

Pelicans Fighting for morsels

Such is life at a marina.  Beautiful weekends means there are lots of distractions for everyone.  At the end of the day you see bedraggled sun-weathered people slowly dragging their igloos with ice, fish, and leftover beer back to their vehicles.  Their fishing poles washed down and stowed in their trucks.  Just glad their day of adventure is over.

Just how many fishing rods do you need?

The one thing we rarely see?  These friends of the boat owners stay around long enough to help wash down and clean the boat they enjoyed all day.

Another day in sunny Florida…

Sunset – St. Augustine, FL

With every marina we go to, I like to check out the neighborhood.  What’s happening?  Of course, there are boats galore.  Most of the boats are quietly docked, covered, and lonely.  The animal life is what I find the most entertaining.

Marina characters?  The Pelicans – again.  They are a joy to watch.  Too many for names.  They are more shy when approaching and will fly away easily.  Unless they have an upper hand, so to speak.  This guy was really giving Wayne ‘the look’ of don’t come any closer or I will plop a wet one on you!

Pelican giving us the “Eye”

A meeting is called to order every morning.  First only 3 pelicans attended….

3 Pelicans getting a good seat on a boat

Then there were 5 pelicans ….

A quorum was finally met with 8 pelicans attending the meeting.

8 pelicans having a meeting

These boat owners must be so happy to know they are the site for the Pelican Meetings every morning.  The pelicans on the pilings must be the leaders calling the meetings to order.   OR the lucky ones because they don’t have to balance on the rail with their webbed feet.  Seeing the pelicans wobble back and forth trying to gain their balance is fascinating.  With their webbed toes gripping heartily.

Whatever could they be talking about, you ask?  Well, this is a big fishing community.  Fishing boats short and tall in the above pictures.  There are fish cleaning stations throughout the marina.  I am sure, these pelicans are trying to determine when the next boat will come in and provide handouts.

Wait!!  There’s a fisherman cleaning a fish. Let’s go see what he has!!

Pelicans waiting for handouts

The fisherman was done cleaning his fish and was packing up to leave.  No sooner did he turn his back heading toward the car the pelicans turned their back on him!

Pelicans leaving

At the end of the day….

Sunset in St Augustine, FL