From: "Jonathan Bickel" <papillon31@earthlink.net>

Subject: Happy Thanksgiving from Papillon & Crew

Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:11:09 -0500

N 29ƒ 53. 72 W 81ƒ18.6

We had a real hard day as we made the trip from Pine Island to St.Augustine, a grueling 13 miles. Of course I would have preferred to just gone on to expedite our reaching some warmer weather but we needed to get back on track. The lay of the land, or should I say waterway, is such that there is no where to just pull off for the night for the next hundred and fifty miles or so. With the short days we have to be able to reach the next destination before dark which limits us to about 50 miles a day. Daytona our next stop is 50 miles. Titusville is another 50 miles. We could not make Daytona from Pine Island, 63 miles so it necessitated a stop in St. Augustine. Life is hell !

All the other boats we anchored with last night also stopped here. Most of the boats I am seeing now are Canadians. They usually summer in Canada and get a late start heading south. Plus I think these temperatures are not real cold to them. May be why they are in shorts when I have my long johns on.

Besides this way we got to see this place all lit up at night with its Christmas Display. Pretty impressive.I'll try for some pictures but it is hard to get them to come out with the motion or movement of the boat. Mostlyjust a blur. You may just have to take my word for it. I have posted some new pictures on the web site, link below, as I usually do each place we stop.

Ruby went to the Vet in Jacksonville to get her annual checkup and shots. Despite all the probing in places I won't mention, poking, 4 shots in the rear and having her ears cleaned out she never once bit or scratched anyone. The Vet couldn't get over how she was so laid back and good natured. When she asked me if she is always this good, I suggested it was probably because besides living on a boat, she listened to about 2 hours of Jimmy Buffett before we left.

Check out Ruby's page http://liveaboardsvpapillon.homestead.com/Rubyspage.html

Updated pictures and charted position go to http://liveaboardsvpapillon.homestead.com/Chartourcourse.html

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Capt Jon & Ruby