Down the Intercoastal Waterway

January 19, 2010 Pine Island north of St. Augustine

Pulled over to the edge of the ICW for the night at about 6 PM. Anchored in 8 feet of water near 3 other boats. Got up and left at 7:30.

January 20, 2010 Halifax Harbor Yacht Club, Daytona Beach
Glen called to see if the yacht club would honor our connection with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club and they said, “Fine.” So for $30 we tied up at their dock overnight. VERY POSH. Glen definitely did not meet the dress code!

Halifax River Yacht Club

January 21, 2010 New Smyrna, near the Harris Saxon Bridge
Left to head to Titusville or even further but after less than 3 hours we ran into some incredible wind. We were going to forge on but we struck up a conversation with another boat while waiting for a bridge to open. He indicated that he was planning to pull over and anchor because it can get really rough in these shallow lakes and rivers. On the assumption that everyone else knows more than we do – we chickened out and pulled over. We spend the day reading, doing chores and snoozing. Pam did some cleaning. She is really quite something. The boat looks like it is brand new and up for sale. Glen is sure to screw things up.
Turns out there was a hell of a storm. Lots of wind, rain, thunder and lightning. Pam rigged up the deck-fill by putting a cloth to act as a dam to catch the rainwater into our tanks. We added several gallons of fresh rainwater. Completely filled the tanks!

We are meeting lots of like-minded people, on their way to the Bahamas. I hope they have patience. We will be asking them lots of dumb questions.


January 22, 2010 Cocoa Beach, near the Twin Bridges to Merritt
Came down the Mosquito River, through the Haulover Canal, into the Indian River. Passed Titusville around noon. Dolphins everywhere chasing the boat, ignoring the boat, jumping etc. Makes Pam crazy – she shrieks every time she sees one. Lots of shrieking!!!

Dolphins Everywhere

Had the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building in our sights most of the day. No shuttle on the launch pad though.

The NASA Vehicle Assembly Building

Got into Cocoa at 3:30, anchored in 8 feet of water and went into town. Jeans are too hot – Glen wished he had worn shorts. Went through the biggest hardware store on the east coast – according to them.

Now that's a wrench!

Walked to a nearby marina and met a guy on an IP 380 headed for Isla Mujeres, Mexico via the Keys. Back to the boat for boat drinks and the best hamburger ever!

Best Burger

Tomorrow we meet someone at Vero Beach to take on donated school supplies destined for a school in Georgetown, Exumas.
We will find a place in a couple of days where we can wait for a weather window. We’ll do our last provisioning, hook up the solar panels, any other last minute details – and then go!