We stayed a week at the Saint Augustine Municipal Moorings, enjoying the "Nights of Lights" (everything in the old town is lit in white Christmas lights), met new cruising friends and stayed with Rick's sister Tish and her husband Ademir (both chefs and GREAT cooks!!) who live in town. See the video link and great pictures by our friend Bernardo!
We moved the boat to English Landing Marina, a newly constructed marina with new docks, ramps and facilities, plus an interesting mix of live aboards, transients and Air BnB clients who pay BIG BUCKS to sleep on someones "Yacht". (bizarre to hear high heels and roller suitcases thumping down the dock) Instant friendships and a Saturday night BBQ, celebration of the christening of one of the boats in residence (after a four year rebuild). The marina is a mix of cruisers who have stopped in St. Augustine on their way (and stayed for 18 years), and those who are completing rebuilds and projects and will be on their way within months.
There are also some who unfortunately will never be going anywhere and have found a safe place to rest. There are weekend jam sessions on one boat by a musician / sailor who's wife wasn't ready to continue cruising, anchored in St. Aug. some years ago and unfortunately developed Alzheimer... he now cares for her onboard and sings about the cruising life... dreams unfulfilled.
Sooo the boat projects on Independence started in earnest... This was Water Maker Installation Week! Definitely not spring break! A 35 hour installation ending in pure clean drinking water from salt water, we celebrated with a glassful!! Now the main salon can go back to living area from construction zone and chaos! But first, Captain Rick puts on his plumber's hat and installs new faucets in the galley and head.
