Passage's Progress: Unwinding in Fernandina

Saturday afternoon after showers, donuts, and a little sightseeing we decided to look for the local supermarket. We were looking for a Publix, a Winn Dixie, or a Wal Mart though there seemed to be no definitive answer as to how far away any of them were. Sue decided to Google their locations from the boater's lounge at the marina. As she was doing that another boater offered us the use of their boat bikes. Fresh with a little computer-local knowledge we headed off. It turns out the computer had never been to Winn Dixie and directed us to a residential neighborhood a mile and a half out of our way. We rode back to the historic part of town by the marina and then headed in the general direction we thought the grocery store might be. We stopped to ask directions and found that we were going in the right direction. The little strip mall had a Subway sandwich shop, a huge Dollar Tree store, a large Winn Dixie, a nice Chinese buffet, a Radio Shack, and a Wal Mart (non super center). As boaters who had just spent the last three months in the Bahamas we felt like we had found shoppers paradise! After buying everything we thought we could carry on the bikes (including a dozen donuts!) we decided to have supper at the Chinese buffet. It was all very good and they even had mint chocolate chip ice cream. We returned the bikes just as it was getting dark and got back to the boat pretty much stuffed.

Sunday morning Sue decided we needed more clean clothes. So when she did laundry I decided to walk back to Wal-Dixie to buy a few things we should have bought when we had wheels. It turns out the shopping center is just a bit over 2 miles away and ends up being about a half hour walk. Since it was about 87 degrees I decided I should have an emergency ice cream ration just in case I got too hot on the way back to the marina. I bought a Klondike Bar for myself and an ice cream sandwich for Sue. About half way back to the boat I ate mine. About three quarters of the way back I noticed Sue's was melting because of the heat and was forced to throw it a way.

After lunch we decided to explore the historic district in Fernandina. Lots of the houses are gorgeous with Spanish moss-draped live oak trees in the yards. On the way we ran into the marina manager. We were telling him how much we like Fernandina and the marina facilities - if only they had a loaner car or bikes to rent. He said that on Monday they would be starting a bike rental program. I asked if the bikes had been checked out before people were expected to plunk down money for them. He said they were all brand new bikes, but that a test ride might not be a bad idea. He let Sue and I each take one of his new bikes - we just had to return by 8:00 pm! How nice was that? We rode up one block and then down the next. When we finished the east-west streets we did the same thing with the north-south streets. I think we saw every historic house in town, and then some.

Monday we called around to see if someone could take a look at the refridgeration system on the boat. Tuesday afternoon was the earliest the technician could meet us so we spent another day walking around town. Today after filling our diesel tank and our water tank the refrigeration guy showed up. We have a bad compressor or a bad electronic control module. He doesn't have either part so we're stuck without cold food and drinks for a while longer. Tomorrow we start heading north again - he suggested a place in Savannah to check for parts and service.

And in the "It's a small world" department, A boat we rafted off in Vero, ("Velcro") Florida around Thanksgiving is on the next mooring ball. We'll have to compare notes about our winter travels.
Last night we watched two episodes of "House" on line. This is the first television we've seen in over 6 months except what has been on in stores or marinas.