In Florida and Heading South

At Isle of Hope marina we met a delightful British couple traveling the east coast on their British canal boat. They are writing a travel book about their experience. The British canals are only 9 feet wide and the boat is 7 feet wide. They took us on a tour of the boat and we were amazed at the compact use of space. We spent several days at Brunswick Landing Marina, GA and Caroline Hill's college roommate, Claudia, who owns the Brunswick Manor B&B loaned us her second car to go to machine shops and stores. She was busy with repairs, but we look forward to spending time with her on our return trip up the east coast. Last season when we visited with her she was selling her beloved trawler and gave us the tool rack from her navigation station which we proudly carry on Sandpiper. From Brunswick we went through the channel at Jeckyl Island at high tide and arrived at Fernandina, FL. In town Linda bought a ceramic serving plate and bowl for boat parties at a store named "Slightly Off Center". Pretty appropriate name for our current life. Underway we telephoned our prized diesel mechanic, Jim DeMartin, in Beaufort, SC and he diagnosed a problem with fluctuating rpm readings as a loose alternator belt. After further consultation with our boating friend, Bruce Kuehl, we installed a new alternator belt and retensioned it and now have rock solid rpm readings. We arrived in St. Augustine, FL in time to go into town to a sports bar and watch the bears win their championship game and a spot in the superbowl. We were not the only bears fans in the bar. As you know, people in the South take football very seriously. One Sunday morning at a Presbyterian Church the pastor announced that a parishoner had asked if he could still take communion even though he was rooting for an opposing team. Permission was granted. Our web master, Jim Newman, finally has some data to put on our trip map now that we are moving again. Thanks, Jim.