3/15/2010

Today was a short day. 37 miles in a bit more than 4.7 hours. This leg has not been particularly inspiring, as the scenery is very typical coastal stuff. Blue water, a very narrow channel with very shallow water on either side. It was made a tad more difficult than usual by very strong & gusty NW winds. The net effect was having to make a constant correction to the right in order to stay centered.

One of the more interesting signs along the waterway in Florida reads as follows:

SLOW SPEED

25 MPH

MANATEE ZONE

MINIMUM WAKE

How, exactly do you interpret that one when your boat is only going 9 mph?. While we saw lots of porpoise cavorting about the boat, we have not seen any Manatees yet. Nor any alligators, or snakes. When we got to Titusville, we elected to anchor in the anchorage area; got to watch that fixed income thing, ya know. That meant we had to dinghy in to the marina so we could hike to the grocery store. Mind you we had 15 to 20 mph winds & 2' seas. I've gotta tell you, if the chief of the boat had not insisted on getting supplies, I'd have thought some more about that one. Anyway, off we went. Ever see a rubber boat ripple like a worm? That was one wet & slow ride! Couldn't go fast 'cause it made more spray, and no matter which way we went the waves always found a way to get in the boat. Chalk that one up to the learning experience side of the book. Next time we'll dress for the trip! Coming back wasn't as bad since we were going with the wind. However, I gained a lot more respect and admiration for the big ship pilots that have to climb up a ladder on the side of a bouncing boat. Scooter would not hold still at all! What a blast! I have report that we have not, and probably won't spend much time in Titusville.

Burgers, beer, salad, and zucchini medley for dinner; read a bit, write a bit, hit the rack. Up in the a.m to dinghy in for our $2.00 showers. Can't wait for that experience; apparently they hold the nozzle for you. If you sign up for the $5.00 shower, you get to chose hot or cold. Oh, on top of the shower fees, you must pay to use the dinghy dock. Gotta love boating in Florida! I know, I know, if I weren't so tight & sprang for a slip I might get all that included. Next time.

The mystery bird from yesterday's post; we saw 3 of them today by a pond on the way to the store. they're still plug ugly! I'll have to research them a bit more, I can't believe they don't have some useful function.
Have a safe week, drive carefully, and keep the tacks sharp!