"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..
Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 13:35:03 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Next time you are in the area (Jax-St. Augustine), stop at Marker 33
Restaurant in Jax, right on the ICW, and the Conch House Restaurant in
St. Augustinne, right off the ICW down Salt Run. Both are worth the
stop.

I'll keep that in mind. We ran outside except for a quick in and out
at St Augestine for the night, but perhaps next time the weather
outside will be less favorable.



Well, the Conch House is about two miles inside that inlet, on Salt Run.
Mind the markers.

Actually, it is a pleasant run down the ICW from Jax to St. Augustine, or
vice versa. Beautiful marsh scenery for the most part, lots of flora and
fauna, an easy run.

We stayed one night at the marina at the Conch House Restaurant (and enjoyed
a great dinner there). The only problem is that it was a miserable, cloudy
and foggy day. The channel into the marina is well marked, but weaves
around a bit as I recall.

I remember that night well because my brother and I finally found the answer
to the mysterious "snap, crackle pop" sounds I was hearing down in the
engine compartment. The sounds had been slowly getting louder every day
since around Norfolk. We discovered that most of the other boats at the
marina were also cracking and popping if you put your ear to the hull. A
local at the restaurant finally explained the mystery - it is biological
noises - shrimp and other small creatures snacking on whatever was on the
hulls.

RCE