Well, we are now moving north up the east coast of Florida. The weather is colder and we have to think about sudden thunder storms. We can watch our iphone RADAR app that gives a live look at what is coming. We just got a tornado warning text message with a loud beep warning us to take cover. We are at a mooring in St. Augustine. The RADAR shows the cell moving slightly north of us. The sky is dark in that direction, and brighter to the south, and the water is flat calm.
After crossing the Okeechobee we stayed with Dick and
Bonnie on their dock. We enjoyed their good company and visits from Ron
and Tish Drago who brought us some fresh herbs from their garden. Mike
Heaphy stopped by for brunch before we left. Bonnie has beautiful
flowers in her garden. Check out the pictures. Dick led us out of the
canal and along the bridge. We touched bottom twice, but didn't get
stuck like last time, just rubbed off some of the bottom slime!
Bonnie's Flowers:
 |
| Dawn in Vero |
 |
| Vero Beach bridge |
We moved north to Melbourne, dropped the hook near the bridge and had a quiet evening. Next day we went to Titusville and spent two nights in their mooring field. The weather was warm and lovely, and we enjoyed sitting outside for a beautiful sunset. Next morning was cloudy with thunder storms coming. We wated a couple of hours for the rain to pass, then headed up to New Smyrna Beach. We tied up, and found the Panhead Pizza place, where we had excellent wings and, of course, Pizza.
 |
| Sunset in Melbourne |
 |
| Pelican posing in Titusville |
 |
| Ibis on patrol in Titusville |
 |
| Osprey nest - occupied |
 |
| Roots along the shore |
 |
| Eagle - I think |
 |
| One of many small islands along the ICW |
We have seen many dolphins along the way. The first was in North Carolina in November. They appear and follow the boat, or just go about their graceful business. Sometimes they want to play in the wake. This group of three of four played and jumped in the wake for almost a mile. It's hard to get pictures of them because you can't tell where they will jump. This group kept taking turns jumping in the same spot, and I was able to get some good shots.
 |
| You never know what is around the next bend. |
 |
| The pelicans scrambling after the trimmings in New Smyrna Beach |
In the morning we woke to cool crisp sunshine, and headed out past Daytona Beach with all the bridges and on to Palm Coast for a quiet evening. The sun was warm so we enjoyed our Chardonnay on the upper deck until the sun went down and it got cold.
 |
| Many sandbars and marsh land |
 |
| Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse |
 |
| Daytona Bridges |
 |
| On this Daytona Bridge, every piling has a painting of Dolphins and Manatees |
 |
| What a great boat - The Pink Panther - looked like a live aboard boat. |
 |
| Palm Coast Marina |
 |
| Working Tug |
 |
| Beautiful shoreline |
Yesterday found us taking a short trip to St. Augustine. The section
of the Matanzas River is lovely, with sandy shoreline and curving river
banks and sandbars. We picked up a mooring ball, felt lazy so we
stayed on board. Today I went to town to explore and get a few
groceries. There are so many shops and restaurants that are along a
pedestrian only street. It was busy even though the skies threatened.
Then it RAINED - buckets. The gutters were deep with water - wet feet -
just getting back to the marina building.
Got back to the boat when the rain subsided. We are now dry and warm, listening to the thunder and pouring rain with some hail, can't see to shore - barely to the next boat.
 |
| Interesting sculpture in a St. Augustine Gallery window. |
 |
| Looking up King Street toward Flagler College towers |
 |
| Garden in old town |
 |
| The Bridge of Lions - notice the new dock that will also serve as a wave break from the NE wind/waves |
It's still raining, but no more thunder or lightning ... at least for now.
