St Augustine 10-13 Apr

                                                                            

   Heading north out of New Smyrna for St Augustine this morning. Its an early departure to make sure we can make it even if the current is against us. Through the northern causeway bridge at 0730 on another sunny day. Light winds behind us will help us along.

   Daytona now has two of the prettiest bridges along the ICW. This new bridge has decorative rock faces along the supports (versus flat concrete). The next bridge up has ocean blue mosaic tiles on the lower supports. 

   Made it to our mooring ball with no problem. We'll be staying here for 3 days waiting for a front to pass through with strong winds. Looks like we'll spend tomorrow onboard the boat all day, no need to get all wet riding to shore in the big waves.

   Next day update - the front blew through today. Thankfully the two tornados in the front passed us by, one to the north and one to the south of us. We just had thunderstorms with a bit of lightning, but none close.

      A stop in St Augustine now means a trip over to Sailor's Exchange, the secondhand boating store owned by Johnathan and Sammy Joe. We needed to pick up a few things including discount mooring lines as a couple of ours chafed through on the trip. 

     St Augustine also means a trip to Aldi's for fresh produce. Sue does the 5-mile hike for the exercise. This time she may have overestimated the volume and got a good arm and back workout as well as her legs. 

   The Spanish replica tall ship of one of Magellan's vessels was back in town at St Augustine. We toured this ship a couple years ago. The crew told us it was a terrible ride on the open ocean, rolling and yawing all over. Nothing like the tea clippers that came 250 years later.

   As you can see, the great weather was back after the frontal passage. Time to move on north.
 

New Smyrna 7-9 Apr

   Next stop up from Titusville is New Smyrna.  

  Back to our traditional anchoring spot at New Smyrna (in center of photo). Upon arrival, we thought someone had taken our spot, but they were off to the right and left and we were able to shoehorn ourselves right into our favorite spot.  

   There is just enough swing room there for us to put out 75ft of anchor chain which will hold us firmly in winds up to 20-25kts. Any more than that and we have to move somewhere else. 

  

   We were able to watch 3 rocket launches from New Smyrna. The first was at about 1700, an afternoon launch. It was a clear day and we could see the flame of the Space-X Falcon 9 rocket rise up and out of the atmosphere.

   The next launch was a night shot, again a Falcon 9 rocket. Usually the Falcon 9's go right on schedule but this one was delayed 3 times for short periods so we were awake at 2330, 0030 and finally it lifted off at 0130. 

   The night launches are more impressive than day launches as the night lights up at the horizon, then around the rising rocket. You can watch the main engine cutoff and second stage lighting off. 

   The last launch was the Delta IV Heavy. We had been tracking this launch for a couple weeks and several delays as I wanted to watch a "heavy" rocket launch, expecting it to be more impressive than the smaller Falcon 9 rockets.

   Carol and Tara drove us down to Titusville where we would be 50miles closer to the launch pad. But even being in Titusville, the launch basically appeared very similar to a Falcon 9. Yes it was larger but still a view of a little rocket, bright flame and long contrail.  Of note, my cousin happened to be at Cocoa Beach, further down to the south, and he got great pictures of the rocket itself. That seems a better location to see the rockets closer up.

   We did have a great spot to view the launch up at the top of the Titusville bridge. That's the contrail in the background.

   No more launches for several days so its time to head on north. Through the New Smyrna bridge and on our way north to St Augustine.

Titusville 4-6 Apr

    Working our way north now, we anchored just south of the Titusville bridge, getting protection from the strong northwest winds coming in tonight and tomorrow. The winds always seem to be stronger at Titusville than elsewhere along the Florida ICW and their mooring field can be quite rough. This spot on the other side of the bridge is well protected from the northwest winds.

   We always walk the bridge at Titusville to get our exercise in and see the sights.

   

   Our anchorage in Titusville put us in a perfect spot to watch tonight's Starlink Space-X launch. Originally set to go at 0230am, the launch was delayed until 5am and we were up to watch along with several other boats and spectators ashore.

   The launch was as bright as others we have seen. I thought it would be much louder at Titusville but there was a good breeze blowing and we were upwind so I guess most of the rumbling went the other way. Still very impressive.

  There were lots of chores to get done at Titusville. We got our propane tanks inspected and certified for another 5 years, then filled up. We got laundry done and showers. Then it was time to stop by the Playalinda brewery. This was peanut butter beer week. I had a standard IPA but Sue had the peanut butter and dark chocolate ale.

  

   While we waiting for the laundry to wash and dry, we watched a mother teaching her baby to fish in the marina. They were chasing mullet fish around the marina and we saw them catch a couple.

   At the other side of the marina there were several manatees including this mother and her two week old baby.

 The next morning it was time to head on to New Smyrna. We stopped by the fuel dock to top off the diesel and water and then we were off for the 5 hour transit. 

Eau Gallie, Fl 2-3 Apr

   Heading north up the Florida ICW, our first stop is at Eau Gallie, a small town just north of Melbourne.

   Eau Gallie has a protected anchorage from the southwest and westerly winds we are expecting with another cold front passing through this evening. There is also a town dock where you can dock and leave your dinghy with ready access to the town.

    The dinghy dock brings you to a park behind the city library. There are no services here for cruisers but it is a pretty spot. Just around the corner is the access to the bridge across the Indian River which enables a 5 mile walk over to Panera, for coffee and a bagel, and back.

   A downside to landing your dinghy at the city fishing pier. Heading back from our morning walk, we had some vibration and knocking from the dinghy engine. Upon inspection, there was about 50ft of fishline with a large hook and sinker wrapped around the propeller. With a sharp box cutter, we made a quick repair. All good to go.

   It's good the dinghy engine fix was no trouble as the next stop in Eau Gallie is the local brewery, just up the street. 

   There were two many choices so we had to resort to a flight. Best ones were the Canaveral Porter and the Art Handler double IPA.

   Walking back to the dinghy dock we noticed this "Yoga retreat garden" that was open to the public and any volunteers to help maintain.

  Sue checked out the papaya tree but there were no ripe ones.

   Along the fence were numerous plants with black berries which looked like and tasted very similar to New York wild blackberries. The sign said they were Black Mulberry plants. They were very good.

   Sue found the table where they put out the ripe papayas for the public. 

   We got back to the boat shortly before the front and thunderstorms rolled through. No strong storms like we had in the Bahamas, just a couple hours of rain which are great for washing the salt off the boat. 

   The next morning the temperature had dropped 30 degrees (to 55) and the skies were blue. It was time to head up the ICW for Titusville, our next stop.

Transit back to Florida - 31 Mar- 01 Apr

 

   Wind and waves are down and we are off for the 36hr transit back to Florida. There is still a 2ft swell running but winds are only 6-10kts from astern. The problem is that is not enough wind to keep the sails full so we are basically motoring with the mainsail keeping us steady and genoa furled up.

   Rivah is much happier with this transit,  (Sue as well), quite different from the trip over. We're hoping to get a little sailing in but the wind is pretty much astern and not much help.

   There are two opportunities to fish along this transit. It is deep water with flying fish and mahi for the first 8hr leg from Nassau to the Northwest passage.  Then no fish on the 12hr transit across the bank, which will mostly be at night anyways. Then 16hrs across the Gulf Stream to Florida where the fishing is good.

   Our fishing rig is a spool of 200lb line with a blue plastic lure that acts like a flying fish splashing on the surface. The bungy cord acts as a shock absorber and "fish on" indicator as it stretches out when the fish hits the lure.

  Our first catch. As we came through the Northwest Passage cut we caught this small barracuda. Proof that our lure is a good one.

   We throw the barracudas back. Too many teeth and bones although these small ones can be good eating.

   This is the pole that marks the channel at Northwest Passage. Its supposed to have a white light but the light hasn't worked for the past 15years. The pole does show up clearly on radar as it has a radar reflector at the top. There's another one of these poles at Mackie Shoal on the bank where a lot of transitors anchor for the night. The white light works on that pole.

   Sunset on day one of the transit. Wind and waves are still down so it has been a motoring trip. The crew is definitely not complaining. 

   We will transit across the bank during the night and come off at Moselle just north of Bimini at around 2am. Then its northwest over to the Gulf Stream and Florida coast - another 100miles to Fort Pierce. We should arrive there late afternoon, but definitely before dark.

   In the Gulf Stream now and we caught this small tuna. Sue got this one picture before the fish went crazy trying to get away. We tried the alcohol and cloth over the eyes with little success. Normally the alcohol knocks them out but he was a fighter. As I tried to hold him down with a cloth he violently shuddered and threw out the hook and went overboard. Oh well, no sushi for dinner.

   We hoped to get a mahi later in the day, especially as we trolled through a gaggle of fishing boats off Fort Pierce later , but no luck.

   After our 32hr motor transit over calm seas we arrived at the Fort Pierce Inlet as the winds built to 15-20kts and seas 3-4ft. Sue took some video of us rolling and yawing but I can't load video to this blog. It was only for 15-20 minutes though and we were soon inside the breakwaters and back into smooth water.

    Anchored in the Fort Pierce Inlet with the wind dying down. Its been two full days and one overnight and we are ready to crash. We both got only a couple 1hr naps during the night.

    I was amazed at the number of boats and ships between Florida and the Bahamas but between the 6 cruise ships and multiple mega-yachts, added to the normal merchant shipping and cruising boats, it's a busy piece of water.  

Another successful ocean crossing without any incidents. Tomorrow we'll be off heading north up the ICW.  

Staging for Return Transit - Providence Island West Bay 30 Mar

 

   We sat out the mild frontal passage anchored in Montague Bay to the east of Nassau as the winds shifted from the southwest to northwest to northeast. 

   Friday it was 20-25kts from the northeast so we stayed on the boat all day and prepared for our transit back to the states. Topped off the oil and antifreeze and secured gear for sea.

   Saturday morning and the winds are down to 15kts so we are moving over to West Bay on the western shore of Providence Island. It has better protection from the northeast winds and will cut a couple hours off our transit back to Florida.

   We were delayed 15mins passing through Nassau harbor as we had to wait for one of the many cruise ships to enter the harbor and get moored. There are 5 cruise boats in this morning.

   Entering the West Bay anchorage. There were six boats here when we arrived. Another six came in after us, all preparing to cross over to Florida over the next couple days with light southeasterly winds forecasted.

   Our last sunset from the Bahamas, looking west from our anchorage. We get underway tomorrow morning for Florida.

Back to Nassau 28-29 Mar

 

   We had decided to head back between the Majors as the most comfortable anchorage for the cold front and were heading towards the Bank when it dawned on me - with southwest winds, why not sail back to Nassau and sit out the frontal passage anchored at Montague just like we had done twice before with Jackson.  So, we made a right turn instead of left and set sail for Nassau.

  This was easily our best sail of the entire trip. The wind was steady all day from the southwest at 15kts giving us a beam reach to Nassau. Even with our tardy departure from Compass Cay, we were in Nassau in 11 hours, averaging over 6kts, and safely anchored before the front came through (at midnight of course). 

  Interestingly, when the wind shifted and gusted a sailboat ahead of us broke free and dragged his anchor. He came up against a boat beside us and they sorted it all out in the dark and blowing winds. Boat that drag almost always don't have enough anchor scope out. We had no problems with our 150ft of chain out. 

   

   Anchored back in Montague Bay with northeast winds after the frontal passage. We will stay here until Sunday when the weather looks good for transiting back to Florida. A bit bumpy here but not bad. 

Compass Cay - Rachels Bubble Bath 27 Mar

 

   The winds are light so we decided to come check out the anchorage up by Rachels Bubble Bath. It is a bit tricky getting in here and not a safe anchorage for any strong winds with its reversing tidal currents but the winds are fairly calm. 

  We explored along the beach and rocks, not much different from the other island beaches. 

   We decided to skip the Bubble Bath as the winds were light (so not many bubbles) and there were lots of tourists there. Just a stroll along the beach with Rivah. Sue found a few large old conch shells to add to her collection. 

   Sunset from our Compass Cay anchorage. The clouds over Andros are always there. 

  Tomorrow we have to go hide for the next cold front. Still trying to decide if we should go north to Bell Cay or need to go back between the Majors. I hate to go back south but it is the more comfortable anchorage for the forecasted winds.