Fernandina Beach - MOTA Rendezvous & Family Time

         From Marineland we headed up to Jacksonville, intending to take advantage of the free dock there just off the ICW.  Unfortunately, it was taken up with boats spaced out just enough to prevent anyone else from joining them, so we dropped the hook in the mouth of a little creek about a mile north.  The current was fairly strong, so Dan put out a stern anchor to keep us from turning side-to when the wind shifted.  From there it was a short run beyond Fernandina Beach to Cumberland Island for the weekend.  We had signed up to attend the MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) National Rendezvous in Fernandina Beach, but it didn’t begin until Monday, April 15, so we had two days to spend at Cumberland Island.  We spent a long afternoon on Sunday the 14th strolling the many paths and walking along the beach on Cumberland.  We’ve been there several times; the serenity of the island is always welcoming. 

Monday we took our place at the municipal marina in Fernandina Beach along with at least a dozen other MTOA members.  Dan is very active on their online forums and was looking forward to meeting all the people he regularly discussed trawler issues and ideas with.  The Rendezvous was very well organized.  For the next four days we attended seminars and meals at Fernandina Beach’s Women’s Center, and held open houses and docktail gatherings at the marina.  Dan signed us up for an electrical and a safety inspection, which Willie Dawes passed without issue.  We made many new friends and picked up some good tips.  

The Rendezvous ended Thursday.  On Friday we made arrangements to spend time with my brother Ralph and his wife Kim.  Low key, we told them, let’s just hang out and catch up.  They lent us their car so we could get all our shopping and errands done, and Kim - a fabulous cook - had us over for dinner that night.  Saturday, April 20, she made a fantastic lunch of a shrimp salad and her famous everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cookies and we all went to the beach for the afternoon. 

    

The guys set up fishing poles while Kim and I talked and played Yahtzee.  They caught many fish - none of them big enough to keep - and we all had a great time.  One of the fish Dan caught was a bonnet shark.  

We went out for pizza at a local brewery and sat outside enjoying the food and each other’s company.  There is nothing like spending time with family.

This morning (April 21) we said goodbye to Ralph & Kim (they came down to bring Dan the hat he left behind at their house) and headed back into Georgia.  We are currently anchored off Jekyll Island, while a front blows through and cools things down.  Dan has been spending his time installing new windshield wiper blades.  Tommie and I are just relaxing.