Friday, Last Day in St. Augustine

We took full advantage of our last day in St. Augustine by planning a visit to the Alligator Farm!  But first, there was excitement in the river when a small sailboat that had anchored north of the mooring field broke anchor and very very quickly started heading first towards the moored boats then (thanks to the current) directly and quite urgently towards the bridge.

This is not good

I saw it moving backwards seeming to be deliberately and thought, "Huh, why are they going to the bridge stern first? Maybe they are using the current then will turn around, that's a weird way to do it and they better watch that other boat...huh, now they are close to that shrimper...really? sideways?...ummmm....Marrrrrrrk, I think this boat broke anchor!"  They were aboard but clearly asleep and the boats in the field, including ours, were blaring horns over and over...one man jumped in his dinghy and hauled ass trying to catch them.  They were disturbingly close to the bridge at that point.  Thank God their anchor grabbed and that finally woke them up.  It was crazy to watch...

We went ashore and grabbed coffee and a treat at a super cool coffee shop next to the Plaza, Kookaburras and headed across the bridge.  Here, now we can all have the song stuck in our heads :-) Sing along children! Passing over we could see the havoc that the wind and current were playing with the moorings...we saw boats circling each other and circling the mooring balls pointed every which way.  You knew they were not going to hit each other but still it was as if they were alive, scoping each other out...getting ready for a rumble or something.

Sheesh, looks like a total cluster!

Can't capture it but that's the current under the bridge

After a nice distance of a walk (I thought it was at least), we arrived at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm!  So, I tried to have realistic expectations of what an Alligator Farm would be...let me tell you, this place was pretty darn cool and interesting.  I am very glad we went there and I was pleased to see their part in conservation and breeding programs.  Of course we donated an extra dollar to help preserve and protect an endangered Indian crocodile.  Why is it that we humans seem to just descend on an environment like a dirty virus.  No wonder nature keeps trying to deal with us by any means necessary (on the bright side, I hear that you cannot get Ebola from Doritos, but there will be Doritos flavored Mountain Dew? we are doomed).  Anyway, the place was cool.  So enjoy some photos of our outing...and this video (not a good day to be a rat).

One of two albinos...this guy was found in Louisiana

So, yeah, they are f'ing huge

nom nom nom nom...

Mmmmmm, rats (sorry Holly)

Couple of trouble makers for sure!

Maximo the giant croc's babies...awwww so cute

How do you like this job--wanna be the repair guy or the guy holding the stick?  Eeeek!

Just chillin'

So, I'm a huge fan of vultures and buzzards, no kidding

Not happy that they did not get any of the apple we snacked on

Indian

Cuban...he was appropriately decorated

Stray Cattus Crewus - behind protective glass as they should be

He was a stubby cutie fattie

After eating a hot dog (so healthy) at the Farm, we walked back towards the bridge and stopped in at Mellow Mushroom for our minimum twice weekly nutritional requirement for pizza and beer.  Gee, can't imagine why I'm gaining weight ;-)  Fun fact is that Friday was our three week anniversary so I forced the boys to take a selfie.

We are back on the ICW starting Saturday-Daytona bound.  Shake 'n Bake!

I see everyone got in line after this morning's spaz out

Again, cannot capture properly but that is current against the marina dock and a groovy bird

We got back to the boat and I took a much overdue sunset photo for you.  Also, I have been very neglectful in taking photos of our Gadino wine as it goes with us down the coast.  In addition to seeing my trademark sunrises and sunsets, look for our precious Gadino posing for you as well!  And if you happen to be in the Washington, Virginia area (just outside of Sperryville), please stop by Gadino because they setting is lovely and the wine is fantastic.  They are not messing around and produce a fine quality wine--plus there's bocci and snacks.

Gadino Cellars, Washington, VA - go there!

 Not that this is interesting but I also tidied up the boat, poor girl needed a little TLC and is looking all purdy again.  I do love a tidy boat.  I took a bit of time looking at Active Captain to get some notes for our trip to Daytona--hopefully the marina reservation I sent will be confirmed.  We don't want to be marina junkies but sometimes that's better than trying to find an anchorage in a busy area with a flock of others also heading south.  XO Suzanne

Good night St. Augustine, we loved visiting you