St. Augustine to Palm Beach

So what have I done since St. Augustine? While in St. Augustine, I visited the fort, the Castillo de San Marcos. Really impressive. They claim it was never taken in battle, only through exchange by treaty. If you ever get to St. Augustine, it is a must stop. Also went to a small reenactment settlement in the historic district where people in period dress, 1700s, explained what it was like to live there at that time. They did quite a good job. The final stop was the home of a scribe. He would write the important matter of the settlement, principally as they relate to the church at the time. He produced a little plaque attesting to the fact I had been to the settlement in very ornate writing. In addition to the scribe, I also visited a carpenter, a leather working, a blacksmith, and the keeper of a sergeant’s house. They all did a good job of explaining the reenactment. Pretty cool.

Then, back on the train again. Went south to Daytona on Wednesday, 11/18, and anchored just above the Seabreeze bridge, not far from a boat I met in St. Augustine. Traveled a total of 50 statute miles today because of a late start from St. Augustine due to tides. On Thursday, 11/19, I went past towns that I was familiar with due to my former profession in aerospace, Titusville and Cocoa Beach. Found a nice spot just off the ICS to anchor. After a cockpit shower, I had a reheated Cornish game hen for dinner I covered 82 statute miles today, to mile marker 910 on the ICW. A long day, but it doesn’t get much better than this. I had started the trip on October 18, so this marked the 1 month’s anniversary of my voyage. On Friday, I headed out for Vero Beach, 43 statute miles further down the waterway. Got diesel fuel so I wouldn’t run out tomorrow. Picked up a mooring for $10 for the night, great deal and piece of mind. In Vero Beach they tie 2 or 3 boats to a mooring, so I was with on other boat, and met Tom and Chris on Shearwater from the Potomac River. Got in early enough to go into town for fresh produce and liquor. They have a free bus you can ride all over town if you want. It stops at the mooring field/marina, so is very convenient. After traveling another 35 statute miles down the water to mm 987, I stopped in Stuart to pick up some parts for Navigator that the builder sent to the dealer in Stuart to hold for me. Got in early enough, so on Saturday, I went into town after picking up another $10 mooring. Looked for someone to cut my hair, but everything was closed Saturday afternoon. So, walked around for a while then stopped and ate dinner before going back to the boat.

Today is Sunday, 11/22, and have made Lake Worth/Palm Beach. Met up with one of my yacht club friends that had always been 2-3 days ahead of me. We will cross to the Bahamas tomorrow. Tonight we are anchored in an anchorage not far from the Lake Worth inlet, so we can get an early start (6:00 AM). They have invited me to dinner, so how could I possibly say no! Tomorrow to the Bahamas!!

This will be my last e-mail for a while, most likely at least a week. I need to find a way to transmit them once I get settled, but I promise to keep them coming at some interval, probably 1-2 weeks apart. Thanks for all your support as I have made my way down the waterway. I look forward to keeping you informed of my Bahamas adventures, and hope to keep hearing from you as well.

Oh, I almost forgot to let you know, the temperatures this week have been in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Maybe I don’t want to leave Florida. But then again, they have been the same in the Bahamas, so onward and upward.