01/23/2012, Daytona beach, Florida
The sign above the beach says, "World's most famous beach". Now, I think i know why. Our two days in Daytona were ideal and truly a Florida experience. The beach is long, the sand is fine, the surf ideal. With a slight breeze off the water, the 80 degree temperature was just what I had in mind. While others In my family enjoy playing in the surf, I'm more of a sand castle type and could spend all day building stuff in the sand. The sand of Daytona is fine, packs well and as a bonus makes an excellent exfoliant. It is very possible that sitting on this beach ranks a close second to my 'happy place' beach at birch bay.
I have experienced many exotic beaches: from the south china sea, 'coconut islet' off the Portuguese colonized, now, Chinese military base--Hainan island, Hawaiian black sand beaches, many remote and deserted south pacific beaches, Mexico and west coast beaches. However, Daytona is a slice of Americana. There are people to watch, french fries to eat and sunburns to slather. What could be better than that?
As we leave the crew of the s/v Marama behind we are somber with thoughts of work, school and responsibilities. Our drive back to the airport retraces our steps recounting in a matter of 2 hours...what took us the last week to cover by boat. I have to say the travel at 3-7 knots is my favorite way to experience 'place'--it is personal, uncut and liberating. More motivated than ever to build the cruising kitty for the next trip.
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01/20/2012, Marineland, Florida
St. Augustine was fun. It had a little something for everyone. We had two days of sightseeing, eating out and other distractions. A train ride for the youngest, mini-golf for the next youngest, shopping for the girls and Irish bars with live music for the boys. We all enjoyed seeing the fort 400+ years old and walking down the cobblestone streets. Dan and I celebrated our 19th anniversary.
After two days exploring, we headed back on our journey south. We totally mis planned for the currents. We were heading up a river...and at the point that it meets the NEXT river further south, the tides had flipped and we were still going against the current. We've been going against the current for hours! I'm perplexed because when a river meets the Atlantic on both ends...how can it be called a river?
After going 'upstream' forever, with minimal power in our batteries, we decided to drop the anchor and 'charge up'. We practiced fishing and I landed a 10" minnow of some river variety. A little later, things shifted around slightly and we were be able to make forward headway. By 6, after the sun had set, we pulled into a small marina half way between St. Augustine and Daytona beach. We are counting on happy currents all day tomorrow! If I could just get over our average cruising depth of 10 feet -- all would be well.
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01/18/2012, ICW enroute to St. Augustine
The currents of the water, the wind, the rise and fall of the sun, the tidal pull of the moon. I had forgotten these things-- that should be so fundamental to our human existence. Most of my life is spent trying to control nature--my climate controlled home, my 'all weather transportation' and my precise daily schedule from 7-5...regardless of night or dark, rain or shine. How seldom do we take the time to observe the conditions and adjust our plans? And why does it feel so great when we have a snow day? Or enjoy a sunny afternoon?
On the boat I am reminded of nature's pervasiveness. We sit back and let the elements control our actions. We depart when the tide is right, we seek shelter when the bugs come out at dusk, we eat when we are hungry, we change our destination when the wind shifts. We always consider alternatives and 'what if' scenarios--there is always a plan B.
Perhaps the definition of being unplugged--is when time is not our own for a change--and the elements take back over. Going with the flow--it requires intuition, flexibility, creativity, courage and patience (and the obligatory occasional cocktail sans ice?)
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01/17/2012, Pine island, Florida
Northwest Florida shows signs of recession. The strip malls have large vacancies. The grocery stores carry 15 kinds of bread crumbs and no protein bars. After not having seen a store at all and the wine locker getting low, it was good to at least be in port and have something. I am happy to help the local economy.
We had finished our 65 mile offshore run and tucked into st.johns's river (near Jacksonville Florida). We spent a few hours at Mayfield wharf (from 4am to 9 am) and upon awakening discovered that there were no showers on the premise. What kind of marina is that? So, we continued our sojourn down the intracoastal waterway. We ended up at the palm cove marina which had all the amenities we were looking for-power, laundry, showers and even a Starbucks within walking distance (and oddly, their sign indicates that they now have the Christmas blend).
While Amy and I were doing the laundry we met a local guy named Walt. He was in his 30's or 50's but who can really tell. Walt carried what seemed to be a weight of desperation upon his shoulders. His face was leathery, his hair reminiscent of Rod Stewart and he lived aboard a small sailboat. "How do you make the cruising life happen?" he asked us, "it seems like every year I just can't scrape together enough to leave. I have a job as a waiter, bar tender, I make stand up paddle board paddles, and work in a surf shop". He asks what we do...."ah corporate stuff", we answer. Then he follows with "AND where do I find a women like you that will do my laundry and go cruising?". Our answer of course, "find the 'younger' ones and make sure they are low maintenance". That will give him something to stew on. Fortunately we have a cat on board to keep the wharf rats at bay.
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01/16/2012, St. John's River, Florida
Yes, I had a dream and it was very short. In fact it couldn't have been longer than about two hours. We tucked into st. John's river at 4 am. (just east of jacksonville,fl). We had a mostly uneventful offshore adventure. "Uneventful" for those that are not nautically inclined--is a good thing. We actually went past the entrance and were going to press on to st. Augustine. But after another 30 minutes...we realized that we are on vacation so--why beat into the wind with rising swell with two small children? Right. I had a dream that for once we did't push it. And it was good.
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01/15/2012, Atlantic ocean
We woke up this morning to being high and dry in the mud. We wondered why we all slept so well. Despite the almost freezing temperatures and no cabin heat everything else was well. We were just stuck. When we pulled in our anchor we found that it was pretty much not doing a thing-the keel was a much better anchor and was holding us upright in about 2 feet of water. When the tide came up a few more feet we launched the dingy. An hour or so past that we had kedged off the mud and were once again on our way south. Thus is the cruising life. There is an adventure every day to challenge your mind, your strength and your patience.
With the weather clear and winds out of the NWN we headed out Sapelle sound to the Atlantic. With a right turn past Blackbeard's island we were headed down the coast keeping the shore about five miles off our starboard side. We have a steady 10 knots of wind now from the NNE, blue sky and about 50 degrees. Seas are pretty flat and the depth consistently 30-40 feet.
It is good to be on the vastness of the ocean. It creates a zen like state which is only a bit different than I remember due to the 9 year old. He is doing well and finally has ventured outside to play some games with the men on watch. I'm likely on the 9 to midnight watch so am getting some rest while I can. I'm thankful that pirate ships of Blackbeard's day are now replaced with the occasional cruising yacht (of which we have seen none) and fishing boat. With our composting head, our diesel-electric hybrid and tempurpedic mattress--I just say 'avast ye matey's all's is good'
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