MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) Southern Rodeo Rendezvous

From April 14-17, Fernandina Beach, Florida was the gathering place for 190 or so boating enthusiasts who ply the waterways at the moderate rate of 7-9 MPH. The Rendezvous was a great success...lots of new friends and tips for safe journeys along the ICW and the Great Loop. With the Fernandina Harbor Marina booked solid, we agreed to be located on a mooring ball just off the docks. However, as the weather took a turn for the worse, the harbor master made an executive decision and “found” us a safe place inside the dock system. What a gift. We were saved from the tricky maneuvering of trying to balance getting in and out of the dinghy in rough chop. During our time on the dock, our Kadey Krogen Manatee Summertime had a visit from a real-life manatee. Yah Hoo! The Rodeo theme generated a lot of fun activities...boot-scootin’ line dancing, hootenanny BBQ, boot-kicking chili cook-off, pistol-packing poker pub crawl, and a lasso contest. Wally and I brought our authentic Western garb from Arizona so we fit right in! One morning we were delivered to Ft. Clinch and suddenly we were back in 1857. Our living history guide was spot on! The weather continues to be windy, rainy, and foggy so most of us are staying put right here for another day or two.

Nat’l Park Service’s Timucuan Preserve on the Fort George River

Through the many waterway guides and other boatsmen we had been hearing of a rare anchoring experience close to the mouth of a river just off the ICW’s Sister’s Creek. Referred to as the Kingsley Plantation, it was touted to be a destination spot for both edification and recreation. Due to strong currents, 6 ft.tidal changes and resulting exposed sand bars, this area presented challenges for a 36 ft. trawler to find enough space and depth to swing on anchor. We had been assured that if we followed the prescribed guidelines recorded by those who had successfully maneuvered into place before us, we, too, could enjoy the rare experience. We not only did it, but by nightfall 5 other trawlers and sailboats were lined up along the banks of the plantation! The vast sandbars across the river from the plantation were a major swimming, sun-bathing and picnicking attraction for the local fast boat crowd out of Jacksonville, so until the incoming tidal flow covered the sandbars at 5pm, the wake action from the passing boaters was considerable. We chose the low tide time to tour this Sea Island plantation grounds, directed by the stories being told on a hand-held device we procured from a Park Ranger in the Visitors Center. We were quite surprised to learn that despite the harsh conditions of bondage, the slave families were encouraged to continue to practice many of the daily routines of their West African village culture. In fact, the slave owner’s wife was a former slave who, upon her husband’s death, became the director of the indigo and cotton plantation.

St. Augustine with its Old World charm

We were just beginning our RVing life back in the early 2000’s when we first discovered the magnetic pull of St. Augustine. Dating back to 1565... yes, the Renaissance. Though much older, this city continues to remind us of the best of Old Quebec City and New Orleans. Cobblestone alleyways are a perfect haven for sidewalk cafes. Fancy ironwork balconies overlook the tree-lined avenues. The drivers of the horse-drawn carriages and colorful trolleys tell newcomers the stories of days gone by as the city unfolds in front of them. Henry Flagler’s Hotel Ponce de Leon has become the centerpiece of the college that carries his name; his Alcazar Hotel now houses the extensive collection of European and American art of Otto C. Lightner. We boarded The Sunshine Bus next to the Lightner Museum. For $1.00, Wally and I were delivered to the Publix Market. Along the way we became friends with fellow boaters Cheryl and Rob. By Happy Hour we were on their sailboat Providence in the Municipal Marina hearing the stories of cruising The Bahamas and beyond! We highly recommend St. Augustine to folks traveling on the waterways and the highways.

Historic Marineland

Marineland Marina brings mariners close to the long-established Dolphin Adventure on the Atlantic Ocean and the more recent eco-kayaking expeditions on the ICW. 
As the marina began to fill up, it was the first time for us to begin to connect with other members of the Marine Trawler Owners Association. We were all flying our turtle burgees as we made our way to the MTOA Southern Rendezvous scheduled to begin in one week in Fernandina Beach. Connecting the river to the sea was a lovely woodland trail complete with markers identifying noteworthy trees, vines and shrubs. At the beach we discovered outcroppings of coquina, sand and shells that had long ago been compressed into stone by pressures deep under the sea. We noticed cannonball jelly fish left behind by the out-going tide; favorite food of the leatherback tortoise. Much to our delight, a long-time friend from the Berkshires of Massachusetts and his girl friend came to pay us a visit. Russ Clark has vast experience as a boat captain on the ICW and he was pleased to find us happily making our way on Summertime.