Month: September 2025

It’a a Beautiful Thing

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Gabrielle
Sept 18: We are over the hump!
20 miles from open ocean!
It’s 25+ miles by way of the waterway to get to Mayport
The Fairfax-Lakeshore area of Jacksonville FL on the Ortega River is even more protected!
“Lakeshore” (aka Fairfax on some maps) on the Ortega River.
Our “hurricane hole”
Plus, our Slip C-103, is buried deep within the marina, giving us even more protection!
Tall pilings and concrete floating docks should handle most any conditions Mother Nature can deliver here.

The normal rise ‘n’ fall of the tide here is only 18”.

So … in all, we are stacking the deck in our favor with regards to safe harboring in Florida.

A-Dock in back of some Ortega Landing flora. It’s a beautiful thing!

Addendum – Sept 26

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Addendum: September 30, 2025

Hurricanes Imeida & Humberto heading out to sea.

Addendum: October 6, 2025

Another North Atlantic threat models a track out to sea!

Invest 95L

Dredging Project Up Close!

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Right up to the bulkhead!

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They left the pool and hot tub alone. “Deep enough already,” they said.

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Hat’s off to the marina management and staff for 1) prioritizing this project for US, their customers, 2) for enduring the permitting process and managing the contracts, 3) for minimizing the impact on our dockage and enjoyment of these fine facilities during the multi-month long project!
Fairway finished between A & B docks!

Back “home” to JAX: the St Johns & Ortega Rivers

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Many bridges span the St Johns River in Jacksonville.
Port of Jacksonville handles many types of cargo!
Here is a safe way to cross an ocean in your express cruiser! (Rumor has it that this boat is heading to Puerto Rico.)
The Jaguar’s home stadium, riverside in Jacksonville.
The “free docks” at the stadium have been closed during this construction project.
North Riverside skyline.
No more “Wells Fargo” name on this landmark.
Rail continues to be a major player in the transportation sector of this state’s economy. Jacksonville’s CSX building is evidence of that.

Rail opened up Florida to development in its early history.
Google: Henry Flagler for more information on the man who made that happen!

I’m less certain that dairy has the same economic footprint, but somehow murals like this one greet mariners as they head south (UP-river) on the St Johns River from downtown.

That’s correct! South = UP-River on the St Johns as it flows north from points south of Orlando and Sanford. It empties about 20 miles east of here through narrow Mayport Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.
Looking back at downtown after passing through more bridges.
So, what’s new at our marina?
A much needed dredging project has been underway for weeks.
Click on image above to see video.
The slurry / dredge spoils get transported in two steps from the barge to trucks for hauling away.
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A game of “Musical Chairs” has also been necessary for slip holders to make room for the dredge/barge.
Above you can see Shellerina tied up on the A-Dock temporarily.
No complaints from us!
We are simply closer to Port 32’s amenities like the pool, hot tub, laundry, showers and the ice machine.
This Ortega River (off the St Johns River) is very protected from hurricanes. It is over 25 miles to open ocean. The narrow Mayport Inlet means large ocean Storm Surges have an obstacle to impact us. However, that same narrow inlet means flooding from heavy rains can take a long time to egress to the Atlantic.
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Fortunately, this marina has tall concrete pipings and concrete docks. Tall pilings have a characteristic of being more resilience to the high waters of big storms. Normally, the tide only rises and ebbs about 18” here. So the tall pilings are not usually necessary, rather they remind us of a sort of insurance that we may someday benefit from.