Wednesday June 15, 2011

81°27.997 W

30°40.209 N

Fernandina Harbor Marina

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Docked in Fernandina Beach



We woke to heavy air filled with smoke from the grass and forest fires burning across Florida and southern Georgia. I walked on the dock a 100 feet and had to return to the boat coughing. A few hours later the wind direction changed and the air began to clear up. By the end of the day the air quality had improved to a light haze. While checking on the times of the local tides I was told that the visibility 5 miles off shore was less than a half mile. So much for going off shore!

Barb and I had sighed up for a historical tour of the town but canceled due to the smoke.

 

Sunset at Fernandina Beach



The town of Fernandina is delightful to visit and walk around. It is one of the few places in the US that has flown 8 different flags during its 400 year history beginning in the 1560s.

France 1562-1565

Spanish 1566-1763

England 1763-1783

Spanish 1783-1821

Patriots 1812

Green Cross of Florida 1817

Mexican Rebel Flag1817

Confederate 1861-1862

United States prior to statehood 1875-1900



Tomorrow we will cruise to Jekyll Island. The ICW has posted warnings due to shoaling-----so the day will be long and slow! The weather is predicted to be severe with heavy smoke and high temps. There’s a good chance we will wait in port until the weather and smoke clears.