Inching Up the Coast

The days all seem to flow into one another here on the waterway. We have had a good first week of our Spring 2012 journey north.

After leaving Stuart the morning of March 19, we had an alternately sunny, then rainy, then sunny ride up to Melbourne Beach. We found a good anchorage off Coconut Point and settled in for an evening of rocking and rolling amid the wind and waves. The next morning we went ashore to visit my 90-something Aunt Mary, and cousins Andy and Tim (who had just arrived from Buffalo). Aunt Mary has always been a great cook, and she made us a terrific lunch. The whole day was a special treat for me as we all caught up.  (Getting off the dock and on to the dinghy was a challenge, as the dinghy rose and fell on the waves and rain was closing in)

Wednesday morning we were up before the sun and on our way as soon as it was light enough to see. The winds were still high, but Freedom kept us comfortable. It must have been a good day for fishing as many boats loaded with rods passed us on their way to the ocean, and we passed many fishermen trying their luck along the ICW.  Not long after 2PM we dropped anchor in sight of the tallest one story building in the world: the Shuttle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral.  If you have never visited the Kennedy Space Center, add it to your list. It provides a fascinating history  on the US Space Program, the the simulated Space Shuttle ride rivals anything you might find at Disney or Universal Studios.  Now that the Shuttle program has been shuttered, the Assembly Building is open for tours. We are putting that on our list when we return in the fall.

Thursday night found us anchored off of Daytona Beach, and Friday morning we tied up at the Daytona Yacht Club where we received a warm and friendly welcome from Club members. For our trip to St. Augustine we were joined by our friend Mike, his son and parents (experienced ICW travelers and live-aboards).

Today we toured the main building of Flagler College, situated in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon founded by Oil and Railroad Magnate Henry Flagler. We were overwhelmed by the decorative finishes, tile floors and Louis Comfort Tiffany windows in the dining hall.

Off to Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island at sunrise.......