Titusville to Daytona, FL

Today:    73 miles, 14 hours, ICW St. M 1691.6

Total:     1730.4 miles, 286.7 hours

     We needed to be underway by 8 am.  Pete needed to check the tank for the engine’s fluid level after the rough passage yesterday.   Good thing!  He definitely needed to add the 50/50 mixture as the well was almost empty! He then checked the level in the engine, which still had the 50/50. We were underway by 7:50 am just as the dock hand came out to check fuel pump readings.  We circled back to thank them again for the night and to confirm that the entry card was back where it had been left for us.

     As we were heading up to Haulover Canal, the winds were brisk and temperatures in the mid 40’s.  It was time to use the enclosure again!  What a difference once it was up and closed! 

     Passing through the canal, there were a number of manatees.

     The skies were cloudless and the sun was strong, but we definitely preferred being in the enclosure until it finally got really warm round 3. Much earlier, we had removed the layers we had sought for warmth, but now the temperature was in the mid-70s, so it was safe to open up.

     Besides SV SHEET MUSIC and us, there are a number of snow birds beginning their migration: SV SOUTHERN CROSS from Boston, MV HYDROPHILLIC, out of Conway, NC. MV ZANADU is a 30-foot Sea Ray from Washington State, who is beginning the Great Loop in “intimate quarters!”  Of course, there were about a dozen larger motor yachts that passed us during the day.

    While waiting for the bridge opening on the Halifax River, we watched about 10 pelicans diving into a very confined area. As we got closer, we noticed a number of dolphin also in the area.  It appeared as if the dolphins were corralling the fish and the pelicans were taking advantage of the high concentrations of fish. Really cool inter-species cooperation!

     We were pleased to be able to dock by 3:45 as Pete had more work that needed to be completed by a deadline.  I was able to wash the “window panes” of the enclosure, not only removing today’s salt, but also the dust and dirt collected in the rolled-up sections over the winter.

     After dinner, we read and watched some TV.  Pete made the call to switch the satellites for the local programming.  We should be good again for a while.  I am surprised we were able to hole on to the signal from Key West to Daytona!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P