After a slow start due to extensive Manatee No Wake Zones leaving Daytona Beach and through New Smyrna, the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River - think grapefruit and oranges - gave AHOD a chance to stretch her legs - comfortably cruising at 25 - 30 mph inside a 50-foot wide channel. We were not alone, and we quickly learned power boats do not reduce speed when meeting another vessel head-on. The coastal landscape was ever-changing... marshland... a smattering of dunes... tiny communities exhibiting characteristics of Old and New Florida. After passing Oak Hill we could barely see NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center through the haze. That haze soon turned to billowing white clouds hanging low to the ground and towering into the sky. And after passing under the NASA Causeway Twin Highway Bridges darker clouds loomed on the horizon. The boat's radar picked up two large cells to the south heading right at us... perhaps 10 miles away. We decided to seek temporary harborage at Cocoa Village Marina. A couple of hours later and after a discussion with the harbormaster about the forecast we opted to make Cocoa Village an overnight stay -- 67 mile run on the day - leaving us a 110 mile voyage tomorrow starting at sunrise to get us back on schedule. Before heading to Wal-Mart to restock provisions we had a quick lunch on board. With no warning, Chloe leaps across the transom seat and perches on the gunwail to ward off a lazy manatee that was lolling around the boat. To hear Chloe's grunts and whines one would think she was trying to communicate with the sea cow. But the best was yet to come, as we caught a glimpse - and a pic - of a manatee using our air conditioner discharge as a water fountain!!!