Hanging Out in Green Cove Springs

[Roger Long]

I've been hanging out and getting things done in the very nice and convenient little town of Green Cove Springs. It's an excellent anchorage for modest draft boats in southerly and west winds. Siix hour tie up at the town dock (6-7 feet of water at MLW). Overnight is just $10.00.

Picture of me with a new friend taken by her father:

There is a laundromat easy walking distance from the dock so I took care of that task the first day along with buying oil filters at the small marine store just up the street. Selection is limited but they can get anything you need that Port Harbor has in stock early the next day. I was also able to get my cell modem working directly powered by the computer with some help from the Verizon store just the other side of the waterfront park and pick up some things from the large drugstore just across the street from that.

The next day, I motored about half a mile up to the next town and creek where I anchored within easy rowing distance of a boat ramp to walk across the road to the Harvey's Supermarket for a major resupply. The wind came up by the time that was done so I sailed down to the bridge and back along the old navy piers. I've now done more sailing in tee shirt and shorts than I did in all of August.

Full album and description of the spring and swimming pool here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2271134518284.86304.1846284215&type=3&l=9ec887d6b9

It rained hard this morning, reminding me how little rain there has been on this trip. My plan is to wait until I can sail all the way back to Jacksonville. The west wind is good for that today but it's still cloudy. The wind will be more on the nose tomorrow and it will be cooler but with more sun. I have no idea at this point what I will have decided to do in an hour or two, an aspect of this life I'm quite enjoying.

 

[Jimm]

Was about to say you'd been there too long when I saw your little firend
Looks like a very nice place to spend some time. Not bad - 50s and windy here today, but we still need to get thru February.. enjoy your short sleeve weather!

 

[Wanderer138]

Hi Roger:

You're witnessing the typical cycle of winter weather in Florida. Prevailing wind in winter is normally NE to E with partly cloudy skies. As a cold front approaches, the wind goes SE to S, then SW to W and usually builds, along with increasing cloudiness.

As the front passes over, the wind shifts NW to N, the skies clear and the temperature starts to fall, all sometimes within an hour. That's followed by several days of clear, cool weather with the N wind gradually moderating and shifting back to the NE, where it remains until the next front approaches. As they say, "If you don't like the weather in Florida, just wait a few minutes...it'll change."

In addition to cold fronts in winter, winds on the Florida peninsula are influenced all year round by the strong sun that warms the land each day, provided the sky is clear. The warming land generates a seabreeze that builds steadily during the day and peaks around mid afternoon to early evening. It's strongest at the coast and diminishes as you go inland. If the prevailing wind is from the NE, the seabreeze reinforces it, creating ideal conditions for a fast reach down the St. Johns to Jax. However, prevailing wind from the W will stifle the seabreeze and you don't get much. BTW, the opposite is true on the Gulf coast of the peninsula. If the wind is from the N, you may get some chop because of the long fetch straight up the St. Johns River. I hope you continue to enjoy your trip.

 

[Paul356]

Way cool.

 

[med2463]

How far is Green Cove Springs from the ICW? Looks like a nice place and that is where our mail forwarding service is.

 

[Roger Long]

How far is Green Cove Springs from the ICW?

38 nm from where the waterway crosses the river. It's a hike but, although not as wild as much of what I've seen, it is as interesting and varied as anything I've passed through. Highly recommended.

Be sure to check out the current railroad bridge restriction in Jacksonville. It's currently open only from 11:30 - 12:30 Monday through Thursday. That should end sometime in March.