April 22 - 23 NASA Anchorage to Daytona Beach

Navigator as the Sun Rises!

The winds calmed, just as the weather forecasters had predicted.  That, alone, is something to celebrate! When cruising, weather becomes your guidepost and the calendar becomes the least important item on the boat.  It was a lovely night at anchor and an even more glorious sunrise!

It has been a long spell since we have cruised anywhere but the sandy sea floor of South Florida’s Waterways - but when the boats pulled anchor, we were quick to recall that the rivers, lagoons, and sounds of the north have black, smelly mud bottoms.  No way were the anchor chains going in the lockers in that condition!  Ivory Lady ran her fresh water tank dry and Navigator had to rig a hose from the engine room to rinse the anchor & chain. You can count on Navigator getting the wash-down system fixed and Ivory Lady finding a solution for a salt water washdown!

We left the tranquil anchorage at the Space Center and headed for the Haulover Canal (one of AJ's favorite gems long the east coast).  The Haulover Canal is so named because until the canal was built, boaters had to "haul over"or portage across this spit of land as they sought safe & navigable waters between the Mosquito Lagoon to the north and the Indian River Lagoon to the south. What a sight!  Right in the middle of the canal were several manatees frolicking about around a boat launch.  Finally, we found the elusive manatee -- even though we have endured miles & miles of manatee zones.  

  

The rest of our journey was filled with nature watching, as our path was chock-full with birds of every variety, more manatees, dolphins, white pelicans and a score of white butterflies that appeared to travel the entire distance with us.  We also saw Florida’s tallest lighthouse, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.  Finished in 1887, it is impressive at 175’ tall with a light that could be seen 20 miles away.  It has been well preserved and is used as a museum today.

We arrived at the Halifax River Yacht Club midday and enjoyed a guided tour of the oldest Yacht Club on the Eastern Seaboard still on its original site (circa 1895).  It is a lovely building with very friendly staff and the friendliest members!   Two days in a location is wonderful - we had the opportunity to enjoy the Club, the downtown area, the Chocolate Factory (yeah!), the pool and simply savoring a beautiful day.