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Day 128

4/12/2010

9 Comments

 
Daily stats
Start: 7:00 AM- St. Augustine, FL
Finish: 3:30 PM - Atlantic Beach, FL
Time: 8:30
Daily dist: 34 miles
Total dist: 2,552 miles
Companions: None
Weather: A little chilly with a persistent head wind
Notes: I ended up staying on a sail boat that had passed me earlier in the day and I caught up with just before I was going to pull off the water anyway.
If you were watching my SPOT locations today you would have noticed that after I left the beach in St. Augustine this morning they never made it back to land. That is because I’m currently on the “I NIDA WIND II” a large sail boat owned by Cal and Nancy from Moretown Vermont. The two of them, along with their two dogs, are on their way back from the Bahamas where they spent the winter.
Picture
Nancy on the back of her and Cal's sailboat
Earlier in the day they had passed me on a narrow section of the ICW as I crossed under the bridge that goes from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach I recognized that boat and another that had passed me earlier. Both were anchored up in a quiet corner to spend the night. As I neared Cal was on deck and remarked how he had seen me earlier and that I’d come a long way and he asked where I was going to spend the night. I explained that I was looking for an island just a half mile further shown on the Florida paddling trail guide. Because I was going to be so close, Nancy invited me back for dinner then Cal up the offer and said I may as well just sleep on the boat. Not being one to pass up an offer, I quickly accepted and moments later my kayak was tied to their dingy and I was in warm dry clothes enjoying Nancy’s home made beef stew.

Picture
The Ikkuma tied up to their dinghy
Most of the time Nancy and Cal sail their boat on Lake Champlain and stay in their home in Moretown VT. But over the last twenty years they have made several winter trips to the Bahamas one year even taking their eleven year old son with them. As Cal puts it, they aren’t rich by any standards they just have their priorities right. I have to agree.
9 Comments
Lyn Stachovak
4/12/2010 11:34:11 pm

After my long comment yesterday all I'm going to say today is FUN read. Paddle on - you're almost home.

Mom

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Tracy Sorensen
4/13/2010 12:59:29 am

Hi Jake,

Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks, getting the grill ready for your arrival...

Reply
Kieron Green
4/13/2010 02:02:39 am

Hi Jake,

Looks you like your back on coarse again, after your jet set breaks.

Kieron

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Jeff Fabiszewski link
4/13/2010 04:58:50 am

Looking forward to seeing you in Charleston. I will be teaching with H2Outfitters this year stop by and I will buy you a beer after class.

Reply
Al Benton
4/13/2010 05:26:30 am

Jake, some time today you may find yourself humming the tune to Ray Charles' "Georgia On My Mind" as you paddle along the coast. As compared to others perhaps this may seem small but it marks yet another milestone, of sorts. After months of following the coasts of Florida for well over 1,000 miles, it's behind you now. From this point on you'll be in a different state every few days. Again, congratulations.

Reply
Heather B
4/13/2010 07:39:25 am

Hey Jake,
Stopping almost due west of my childhood home made me proud. Thank you for linking my hometown with your and Neil's (and the rest of the "M-row" Street gang)!
(And don't be too happy about leaving Florida behind! ;> )

Reply
Rich Fontaine
4/13/2010 09:39:30 am

Hey Jake,
"See you in NY" Happy to help around the Mass NH line also if you get up that way on your way to Maine

Rich

Reply
Erin
4/13/2010 01:46:00 pm

Glad you stopped in Fernandina; Amelia Island is beautiful...too bad the weather isn't very cooperative. Wondering if you are driving up to Charleston to avoid King's Bay. I just remembered that I saw a submarine really close to the beach at Fort Clinch.

Reply
Kim Blodgett
4/22/2010 10:41:41 pm

Hey that's my parents:) They were really happy to have met you and directed me to your blog. What an exciting thing you are doing.
Happy Paddling!
Best,
Kim

Reply



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