New Direction…
We turn left in Stuart, Florida and head north. No more front row seats to sunsets. Instead we will now wake up early to catch the equally beautiful sunrises before traveling up the East Coast with the Atlantic Ocean on our starboard.
From Vero Beach our early morning awarded manatee filled waters weaving around groves of mangroves as we docked early for a day of exploring Eua Gallie on the northside of Melbourne.
Sweet little gem of an area as it is now incorporated by Melbourne. I never did get the story on when and why this happened, however, it is an artsy enclave worth a visit and should have fought for its own identity.
A few hours north, near Cape Canaveral, is Cocoa Village. A lovely town in its own right, but also a great place to be for any scheduled rockets launches. We would have to wait a few days for that excitement, but soaked up the laid back village feel as we strolled through the neighborhoods and shopped its streets.
We heard about Travis Hardware (second photo of the marlin above) from other loopers. An icon, it has been home to Travis family businesses since 1805 and is currently run by the original owner’s great grandson. The Captain showed much self control with only three visits. I have asked for a marlin made from all the stuff in our barn back home and he had the audacity to tell me we do not have enough stuff he doesn’t ‘possibly need’ sometime in the future.
The French Delights Bakery is the real deal. French bakers are on sight, and we had the pleasure of a fireside chat with the owners young daughter who practiced her English with us while describing her home back in France. With a bit less enthusiasm she expressed her content with life in Florida. We left with croissants in hand to savor on the boat.
Wildlife abounded as we traveled through Mosquito Lagoon without one visit from a mosquito.
Reminders of the food chain are evident as we feel like intruders on a dinner run…
for humans too.
Daytona was a surprise for me. Having only heard about it in reference to NASCAR, my expectations were low. Our first night offered a night of minor league baseball in its simple glory.
Friday night games are punctuated with fireworks and are even better when they win.
Across the street from the cemetery…
is the Boot Hill Saloon…
where we were drawn to visit because of its sense of humor. I might have bought a biker shirt. Ha!
Since we weren’t too far from Cape Canaveral, we were able to catch a Space X rocket launch and found a good viewing spot in Titusville.
Very cool and the perfect reason to celebrate with a Blizzard from the coolest and busiest Dairy Queen we have ever seen.
We had previously prejudged New Smyrna Beach in a negative light because of the knuckleheads water skiing in the ICW the day before. Dairy Queen to the rescue of a tarnished reputation.
Toodling on up the coast, our approach to Saint Augustine was littered with boats filled with armed TSA agents. What must have been training, did not bring a sigh of relief until it was clear we would not be part of the curriculum.
We managed to restrain ourselves from taking a photo, and slowly docked at our marina located on the shoreline of Old Town.
Roaming the cobbled streets reeked with history, we became entranced with the examples of how this city has held onto its soul.
Our visit to the St. Augustine Distillery is a perfect example of how a group of people can ban together to prevent heartless development from tearing down and forgetting.
We grab some amazing tacos on our way to a small presentation and tour.
Did you know bourbon was first distilled by a Baptist minister named Elijah Craig? Who used it for medicinal purposes and encouraged the government to approve it as medicinal and issue pharmacy licenses during prohibition? As time went on, Gin was the drink of choice until the Kentucky Derby introduced the Mint Julep. The rest is history.
Our guide Doug enjoys his job and was excited when he learned we were headed next to Fernandina, where his family had just celebrated his 80th birthday.
Dolphins escorted us along the skyline and we vowed to return.
Just north of town we passed Cap’s on the Water, where we enjoyed a fabulous meal and watched the sun set on our first night in town.
As we watch these birds waiting for the tide to ebb and reveal a yummy breakfast, we begin to notice the tidal range continues to rise as we head north.
The brightly colored buildings overlooking the marina in Fernandina welcome us to a town as vibrant as its waterfront.
Walkable and pedestrian friendly, we never made it to the beach although we heard some great live music…
and were even sent to the Principal’s Office located in a repurposed school.
On our way traveling north we observe the industrial paper mills…
the home where the Pippi Longstocking movie was filmed…
and Fort Clinch.
From here, we can almost see the Georgia state line. It is hard to believe we have been traveling for 966 nautical miles and are only entering our third state. Turns out, Florida is 1/6th of America’s Great Loop. That is one long coastline.
Onward!
Thanks for following along.
~ The Crew