FLorida at 7 mph

Drifting up the Florida ICW at 7mph---you get to see the best stuff. 
One thing is that as we reach mid Florida the homes on the ICW are no longer obscenely large but are more normal.

We had a nice sail from Vero Beach to Titusville, about 65 nautical miles.  Yes, we actually sailed up the ICW with 15 to 20 kt winds for a beam to close reach, doing 6 to 7 kts.  We were treated to a great sunset at Titusville.

We took a short 5 hour run to New Smynra Beach to see friends Ret and Joe.  It was a great relaxing visit and a nice dinner out.  Unfortunately we had to leave early the next morning for a long 60 nm day to St. Augustine, into 10 to 20 kt winds -- all motoring.   First, we left the bridge at NSB.

En route to St. Augustine we passed through the Haulover Canal, a short canal with a park on one side and an opening bridge at the beginning.  It's always pretty there and we see lots of bird life.

Passing through Daytona is neat.  Take a look at the decorations on the bridge pilings.

And the bridges!  4 in a row, 2 which we have to request an opening.

Crabbing is done in the part of FL, too.  Not on a large scale like the Chesapeake, but certainly crabbing.  Because those darn crab floats are along the channel in the ICW here!

Next, St. Augustine.  First, we both got hair cuts at the local barber shop - $13 each for great cuts! We like it here, small streets lined with shops.

Here is a shot of the roof of Flagler Collage.  It was built as an exclusive hotel by railroad magnet Flagler.  The ornate roof is especially impressive.

Friends from last year, Don & Trish, are in the area and drove up to see us.  We had a great visit with them.

Including a visit to the historic St Augustine Light House

Don & Trish are from Nova Scotia, along with daughter Cheryl, arthur of cruising books on the Nova Scotia area.  We are planning to go there this summer and were excited to talk to them about cruising the area.  We think they may have talked us into going as far as Newfoundland....

I've pretty well covered most of the shells we found in the Bahamas, so I'm going to stop that for now.  I doubt I'll find any as we travel north - might have to wait till next winter to start that back again!