Getting Closer

Tomorrow we will finally pass the 1000 mile marker so we're almost to the keys.

At the end of our last post we were docked in Palm Coast. We had a storm during the night and the next morning was the coldest morning since we left home. Again Phil's handiwork kept us cozy.

We had to stop the next day in Daytona Beach to pick up the new GPS. There was a courtesy dock that we used to get to West Marine. The tide was low, the dock was high and the winds were blowing away from the dock. We finally got the boat tied up and made our purchase. Then we had to figure out how to get away from the dock with the wind blowing us into it. As we started out of the marina, we were stopped because a dredging barge had the channel blocked.

We arrived at Seven Seas Marina in Port Orange, Fl about 3:30 and immdediatley went to work on installing the GPS. Neither one of us know much about electricity but we managed to rewire the new GPS to the existing wires and IT WORKED.

Next morning we had to rig up the new anchor that we bought in St. Augustine. Without a windlass it was quite a chore to secure a 45lb anchor to the front of the boat. We finally got under way about 8:15. Just below the Port Orange Bridge, a small mangrove island is the nesting ground for pelicans, egrets and cormorants. Next we had to go through the Ponce de Leon Cut which the cruising guides warned us are subject to shoaling at both the north and south ends. But we had no problems maybe due to the tide. After passing through the cut we saw lots of fishermen on both banks and some in boats. One guy pulled in a fish about 18" just as we were going by. When we asked what it was, he said a black bass. We were so interested in finding out what it was that we forgot to take a picture.

The next stretch is known as Space Coast Area because Cape Canaveral is located here. We could see the Space Shuttle hangar at the Kennedy Space Center. Since there are no more shuttle launches there wasn't a lot to see unless you stop and take a tour.

We arrived at Titusville about 3pm. The city marina has a new mooring field which we used but it was too far to row the dinghy to shore so we just stayed on the boat. The weather was nice enough for shorts and no shoes, there was a full moon and the lights from the harbor were quite nice.

Saturday morning we went into the harbor to pick up ice. There was a misty rain falling and it seemed strange to walk in the rain in December and not get cold. It was a short day so we arrived at Eau Gallie Yacht Basin at 2:30. Until the 1960's there were two distinct cities situated on the western end of the two causeways crossing the Indian River Lagoon. The southern city was Melborne and the northern city was Eau Gallie. Eau Gallie is French for "rocky water". In 1969 , the two cities merges,taking Melbourne as the name. However, the original downtown area of Eau Gallie continued to be referred to by the old city name. This land where the marina is located was deeded to John Houston, brother to Sam Houston, by Pres. Lincoln. The current owner took us to his memobilia room where we saw a copy of the orginal deed signed by Pres. Lincoln. Saurday night the marina was having it's annual Christmas party and everyone in the marina, as well as folks in town, were invited. It would have been a very nice night if it hadn't rained the entire evening.

Sunday morning we left Eau Gallie and made our way to Vero Beach City Marina and yet another mooring bouy. This time however we had to raft with another boat. (This means we had to tie up to the same mooring bouy as another boat.) The owners were not on board so it really didn't make a difference. Since there was nothing nearby and no public transportation on Sunday, we stayed onboard.

Today, Monday, we made a short run to Nettles Island Marina located at Jensen Beach, Fl. It's an interesting island that is partly man-made. There are a variety of accomodations here but again there is no public transportation. The dockmaster took up to a grocery store about 3 miles from the marina on the mainland.

Sorry folks, have lots of pictures but this connection won't let me post them. Marina wi-fi connections leave a lot to be desired. Maybe next time I'll have better luck.