It's a long way up there! Do they have an elevator? No, just 219 narrow steps.

A beautiful view from the top.

I said the view was beautiful. Two beautiful ladies!

Stephanie and Tammy looked over the edge. Doug and I stayed against the wall.

A long way down!

The St. Augustine Lighthouse. 219 steps up and 219 down.

Exploring can make you real thirsty, so we made a stop at the Conch House Marina Bar to replenish our liquids.

Late Saturday afternoon we went out to the beach to check it out. The beer was cold and the wings were great. Oh, the beach was good too. Wish we had our boogie boards with us.

Bye Gypsies. It was an awesome time as usual, but way too short. See you in Cocoa.

Time for a break

What has twelve legs, four arms, and on the hook? Give up? That would be Me, Stephanie, Cassie and Godiva anchored at one of our favorite places, Blackbeard Island.
We decided that it was time to take a little time off from boat and house work and cruise to an anchorage we haven't been to in three years. Blackbeard Island is one of the best kept secret anchorages I know of. It's only two and one half hours from our home dock and we can only come in at high tide through a nine mile creek that winds through beautiful marshlands with tons of wildlife behind Blackbeard Island. When you get to the end it opens up to an anchorage that has a sand dune that is the only thing separating you from the Atlantic and a beach that goes on forever. When we are here it seems like the rest of the world is a thousand miles away. Just us, the beach, creeks to explore, tons of wildlife, the only light is our anchor light at night, and billions of stars to gaze at. The only thing I didn't tell you is that the ghost of Blackbeard roams the Island at night guarding his treasure. Did I mention that word has it that he has treasure hidden somewhere on the Island. You don't dare to look for it because if you find it, it's the gangplank for sure. ARRR!!!

September Song (ARRR!) out
Bob

Entering Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The eight mile winding creek that we can only go in and out of at high tide.

Now that's a beach. Nine miles long and one hundred yards wide and no one there but us.

Godiva taking a roll in the sand. Happy puppy!

Cassie chasing the birds on the beach. Happy puppy!

Godiva playing in the surf

The sand dune that is between us in the anchorage and the Atlantic with a nine mile beach that we have all to ourselves. Well, except for the fish and birds.

At last, at sea again

Today we cruised out into the Atlantic with Family on September Song to take Pete, Stephanie's Dad, to the place he loved so much to spread his ashes, the sea. (Pete died June 2008) How fitting that he should take his last cruise with family on a boat with the same name as his first boat. It was sad, but yet a happy day because we know Pete would have wanted it this way.
We committed the earthly remains of Gregory Peter Fitzpatrick. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
From water, all life arises.
Mother of waters, Father of rain,
you have taken back your own.
As a stream flows into a river,
as a river flows into the sea,
may his spirit flow to the waters of healing,
to the waters of rebirth.

SEA FEVER by John Masefield
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Smooth sailing Pete. We will see you on the waterways.

September Song, out


The ashes of Gregory Peter Fitzpatrick

Stephanie reading a poem called Sea Fever.

Roses on the water

A dog gone good day

Sunday Justin, Elisa, George, Tyler, and Jacob came over and we all went out on September Song to the beach. It took us a long time to get there because Dad said the props were all barnacled up. When we got there Dad and Justin went into the water and cleaned the bottom and the running gear. (what's running gear?) Dad says she is so happy when she has a clean bottom. After we had lunch (well, they had lunch) and Dad and Justin got done cleaning the bottom, we all went to the beach. We had so much fun playing in the water with the boys. My stupid sister Cassie went over to an oyster bed and cut her foot. She didn't care, she still played. After we got done at the beach, the boys got Oreo cookies on the way home and we got stupid dog cookies. Sure wish I could have had one of those Oreo's. When we got back to the dock and Dad docked the boat (good job Dad!) we all went over to the house and played in the pool. I chased the ball and Cassie caught the same fish over and over. Mom and Dad; could you maybe buy us a little boy to play with. We sure had fun!
Dad and Mom have been getting the boat ready for Wednesday. Some relatives are coming and we are all going to cruise out into the ocean and put Grandpa Pete's ashes out there. Mom says Grandpa would have wanted it that way. Mom says he was a sailor and loved to race sailboats, cruise, and explore like we do. His first boats were named September Song because her Mom and Dad were married in September and September Song was their song. I think it is really cool that our boat's name is September Song! Grandpa Pete was a really cool guy (with really big feet) and told lots of stories about the old days. (some more than once) I think it will be a happy day because grandpa will be in a place he loved to be.
OK, gotta go. We are headed to the pool for our afternoon swim.

September Song Dog (a dog gone good day) out
Godiva


Our house is for sale. Can we still use the pool when it sells Dad?

Dad has been working hard on our boat. He wants it to look good for when we take Grandpa Pete's ashes out to sea on Wednesday.

That's my Dad. He sure looks funny with that thing on his face. Dad and Justin cleaned the bottom of our boat before we went to the beach.

The boys liked watching the dolphins play around the boat.

That's George and Tyler ready to go to the beach.

That's George hunting fish with my sister Cassie

We had so much fun at the beach!

Sure wish Mom and Dad would buy us one of these (kids) to play with.

On the way home after playing at the beach the kids got cookies. We got dog cookies. Sure wish I could have one of theirs.

Another end to a dog gone good day! When are you gonna get us a kid?

I caught one!!!!!!

For those friends of Mom and Dad's that have been to the beach with us, you know how hard I work on catching a fish. Godiva just chases a silly ball and I do all the hard work. Well, today was the day!!!!!
It was a little shark and when I bite it it squeakes. I told all of you I would catch one some day. Well, maybe it's not a real live fish, but I pretend like it is. Dad makes it swim like a real one and then throws it and I chase it down and catch it. Don't tell Dad I know it's only a rubber one and spoil all our fun.
It's been hot here and after we got back from the Water Festival Mom and Dad have been working a little on the house and then taking a break now and then to cool off and play with us in the pool. I think you should come on your boat and dock at our dock (Mom and Dad said we have plenty of room and power) and see my fish and play with me and Godiva. The pool is open and the dock is free!!!

September Song dog (come see the fish I caught!!) out
Cassie


That's me chasing the fish

Got it!

That's me bringing it out of the water.

I told you I would catch one some day!

We love playing with Dad in the pool

Godiva love hanging out on the float

Except when she's chasing a ball

Just one more time dad!