May 8 A VERY Long Day

 May 8  Eau Gallie to Palm Coast 

Our plan for the day was to get an early stary leaving around 7:30 and make our way to New Smyrna Beach. for another 8 hour cruising day.  We're thinking we're behind the great migration of boaters who  winter in Florida and head north starting in March/April.  Transient slips shouldn't be an issue.   We call New Smyrna Beach City Marina  at 9AM .  He informs us "No room - no open slips"   We'll be  number 3 on the wait list.  If anyone cancels he'll call us.   Not too concerned we continue on.  Up the balance of the Indian River Lagoon, pass by Cocoa and Titusville, checking out  the NASA  assembly building over at Cape Canaveral which is viewable for miles, then  through  Haulover Canal to Mosquito Lagoon and working our way up an unbearably long no wake zone south of NSB. 

Mothers Day boat ride in New Smyrna Beach

 It's about 1 o'clock and we haven't heard from the dockmaster so give him a call.  No cancellations, can't accommodate us and no suggestions other than a marina off a side creek with water that was too shallow based on our navigation charts.  Options now become to drop anchor at nearby  Ponces Inlet, head  up to Daytona and hope we can get a slip there or push really hard and go all the way up to Palm Coast Marina.  We already have reservations for a week at Palm Coast  since we need to drive home for dental appointments and they can accommodate the early arrival.  The decision is made - Palm Coast or bust!!    12 hours and 113 miles after starting our day we finally get tied up  for the evening.  

Despite our bit of drama, it overall was a delightful day on the water. It was a warm sunny Sunday so lots of small boat traffic  but also lots of nature to be seen.  The usual dolphins we always enjoy seeing.  Spotted a manatee lumbering along the bank while traversing  Haulover canal,  Osprey chicks almost the size of their parents shrieking for another meal in their nests atop a channel markers.  A flamboyant pink Roseate Spoonbill gliding  effortlessly above the water.. 

Impossible to see but there IS a manatee along the bank

Ray and Dianne ( who have a house here in Palm Coast)  moved our truck  from Stuart up to here for us.  We'll get a rental car, move the truck to St. Johns Yacht Harbor in Charleston,  then use the rental to head home for our Dr. appointments before coming back here.  

Voyage for May 8