Sometimes there are unexpected surprises and unusual discoveries when you are cruising.

Shortly after begininng our voyage south, we realized we have a stow away. At first we tried to catch him, thinking he would be more comfortable on land, but have since decided he seems very content to be on board, and so we are glad to introduce our new friend, Liz Ardo. He/she disappears for several days at the time, and we thought for sure he had jumped ship while we left the boat at the Brunswick marina. We were delighted a few days later when he reappeared seemingly fat and happy. Occasionally he causes us worry as he hangs precariously over the edge of the rail, risking falling into the water or getting picked off by a following bird. He’s independent, so we leave him to his own devices and hope he’ll continue to eat his weight in bugs and flying insects.

While in Brunswick Marina, an armadillo was seen swimming down the East River. A deckhand on the barge grabbed him out of the river and tossed him up on the bank where he lay exhausted, barely breathing.  After a few minutes he recovered and went on about his way.

Here are a few other sightings along the way

Better out of sight and out of mind. Glad we’re heading toward a paperless society to limit the need for these!

Check out the Barrier Island Bed and Breakfast ! We heard the fishing was “Through the roof”

This unfortunate boat we dubbed “High and Dry”

Tuesday as we made our way toward St Augustine, Tom was piloting from the flybridge, and I was in the galley making dinner. I stepped outside the lower helm door, which is located on the starboard side to throw overboard a few vegetable peelings and excess pot liquor.  Much to my amazement, this incredible beauty was a mere few feet way. I stopped in my tracks and stood twitterpated with the Hollywood style and grace of this magnificent classic yacht .  Her captain was, very courteously, slowly edging by us, so as not to cause an uncomfortable wake. I later learned she can turn a top speed of 33 knots. Her name is “LIBERTY ” and her home port is Boothbay, Maine. I was so awestruck that I forgot to take a picture. She is the 80′ classic reproduction launched in 1996, and “reflects the Wall Street commuters of the 1900’s.”

We watched her disappear down the ICW, but were thrilled about an hour later when we caught up with her. She had stalled, waiting for a low clearance bridge to open to allow her to pass through. Chugging along at 7 knots, in our tortoise the hare fashion, we had managed to overtake her. Think of all that fuel she had wasted in the mean time! Also since Southern Trawl only needs  21′ of vertical clearance, we skirted by and continued under the bridge. The bridge soon opened for her, and she came up behind us, once again affording us a view of her remarkable design.

As she gently came round our starboard side again, a handsome silver haired gentleman popped up from the front hatch and gave us a friendly wave before they cruised on out of site. I could only imagine the quality of the single malt scotch that a vessel such as she must stock in her gleaming custom Walton design and Hodgdon crafted teak interior…