Pedal Power in Daytona

Titusville to Daytona: 25-27 Jul 09

Florida Reflections

Our voyage north took us to New Smyrna Beach where we sat for a couple of nights watching more dolphins, manatees and storms building on the horizon.  Manatees are seal-like, only bigger, with a face only their mothers could love!  It is nice to see so much wildlife and boat-life co-habiting relatively well.  I’m not sure that it’s a case of fast boats respecting no-speeding/or no-wake signs; it’s just that this huge river system and many wildlife reserves offers these animals lots of safe-havens.

Old & New in Daytona

WJ3 limped into Daytona (mile 830), nursing many an electrical problem.  It was time to see to her repairs.  The Cap’n duly signed us into downtown Halifax Harbour Marina for a week.  Great!  Daytona is home to speed car racing and custom-build motorbikes.  And last week they had a tornado!  Better strap WJ3 into her berth!  It’s only 6 more degrees north and we’re outa this nasty hurricane box.  Sigh!!

Yes, cars on beaches...

We enjoyed our stay in air-conditioned comfort at the dock, took long bike rides around town to find groceries and spent a lot of time in the local library using their internet service while Mike managed to sort out our electrical problems.  We took a ride to the world famous beach to see where they once raced cars; ate at Bubba Gump’s (remember Forest Gump?); got lost in downtown crackville and fortunately was saved by the Halifax Yacht Club Dockmaster; and finally, shopped for fresh goodies including “shrimp” at the Saturday Farmers Market.  Yes folks, all in the Florida summer heat!  We managed to replenish fluids and fun at the nearby dockside Aquarium Bar most evenings!  Quinn and Andy introduced us to American bar chat – it was just like being in an episode from the 80’s TV show, “Cheers”!!

Bikers on the Broadwalk in Deytona

 

From: Titusville, FL  Lat/Long: 28 37N  80 48W Date/Time: 25/7/09: 1115

To: Daytona, FL  Lat/Long: 29 11  81 00W Date/Time: 27/7/09: 1300

Time Taken: 46nm (10.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 1955nm (390hrs)

Distance Total (since 2008): 2804nm  (568hrs)   Fastest Speed: 5-7kts**

Weather: kts;  Seas ft;  Swell; Evening thunderstorms

(** Motor sailing; 1 canal; 5 fixed bridges; 2 overhead power lines!)