Seabreeze, Fl in Daytona Beach

Made a long run of 42nm today.  Left at 0700 this morning from St. Augustine this morning, but got stopped 20 minutes later for the first bridge.  The tide was at high tide and the waterlevel below the bridge allowed only 63 feet.  Now the mast to the waterline is 63.5 feet, so we would have taken the top of the mast off had we decided to go through.  We chose to wait until 9am to ensure we had enough space from the water to the bottom of the bridge. Didn't want another delay and additional expense.  So we were able to get under at 64.5feet and we felt better about it.  We docked at a small marina and they didn't realize we were there or didn't bother us.  One or the other.  The rest of the trip was pretty much uneventful, which we REALLY like!!

So we arrived this evening about 1710, set anchor, and began preparing dinner.  We used our new pressure cooker, a gift of Renne's parents, and cooked beans.  When I lived in Lubbock in the 1970's one of my docs had a pressure cooker blow up in his face with severe steam burns, cooking beans.  So I was particularly cautious as we began.  However we had wine coolers, marinated Ribeye steaks, red kidney beans, and sauteed onions and bok choy.  We ate like royalty tonight.  There is a restaurant and bar across the ICW from us with a great band - we can hear it from here, so we got a great dinner and great music without the cost.  I think that is WAY COOL. 

This sitting at anchor or sitting on the ball is a great idea.  Sure beats the $80-$120it costs to tie up at a dock.  So we are resisting that expense as much as possible.

Tomorrow, we intend to head for Titusville - 54nm - and then out into the Atlantic on Christmas Day.  We hope to have dinner with Renne's Dad and Wilma, but not sure if they will break away from being at the ranch.  We will just have to see.  We expect the cold front to pass tonite and hopefully we will have northwest winds tomorrow.  Just never know.  It will take us 1-1/2 days to get to Rodriguez Key when we leave Canaveral.  We will have to see how we are doing to see if we want to stay there or head on down to Key West.

For right now, those are our plans.  See ya for Sundowners at the docks at Key West or at the Navigator Bar and Grill on Base when we get there.  For now, Merry Christmas to all of you, and return safely on Monday.  Our very best to our friends and relatives.  You are very dear to us.

JonNe'