26 February, 2020 Caught a mooring ball at the oldest city in USA.

2nd cold front almost here.  29 SM; 4.5 engine hours

Uninterrupted night at the park last night.  Not a whisper or wave.  Sound sleep all night.  Only a foot of water under the keel as low tide approached.  Second and more powerful cold front entering the northwestern edge of the state this morning.

Red sky warning, sailors take warning

Certainly taking heed of the approaching weather, not supposed to arrive at our destination until later this afternoon.  So with breakfast complete, planning complete and untie the lines checklist complete we got underway at 0745.  Wanted to go a bit earlier, but water so skinny was waiting a bit for the incoming tide.

Serenity at county park dock

Really pretty cruising today.  Calm, interesting wilderness areas and waving people.  I have seen an Eagle smack an Osprey mid-air and pick up the dropped fish.  But from a distance.  Today, I witnessed this amazing event right in front of the boat.  Eagle smacked the Osprey, dropping the fish, then the Eagle swooped in and picked up the fish from the water surface all the while the Osprey is dive bombing all over the Eagle.  What a sight of nature.  Check out YouTube for videos.

Deer seen in this area

Headed to St. Augustine today.  Two to four MPH tides at the municipal marina where we will check in, get fuel, water and ice, then reposition to a mooring ball.  St Augustine Muni Marina

Approaching St Augustine from AICW

Tide was on the way down but only half way and the currents were not too bad as we tied up to the fuel dock.  Logistics completed we maneuvered to the mooring field; our designated ball was close to the town and marina due to shallow water.  Once again good to be in a shallow draft boat.  A strong outbound current combined with a quartering 15 knot wind actually almost countered each other as we slowly approached the mooring ball.  POC at the helm, she deftly positioned Serenity up current and close enough that it was an easy reach with the boat hook, I snatched the pennant and rigged our lines.   Firmly attached at 1300; secured to earth via double lines from our bow to the mooring ball heavy duty pennant.  (map)  Our first mooring ball

All set for a few days

Rain showers began later this afternoon, becoming strong and steady.  The marina provides a shuttle from the mooring field to the facilities.  Declined this afternoon because of the heavy rain.  Will ride tomorrow to shower and pick up Amazon packages.  Plan to be tourists for a few days and preform a few maintenance tasks while we are here.

1443.8 Hobbs; 2258 SM elapsed