Daytona Beach to Titusville, FL

We woke in Daytona to a bright sunny day with some clouds and a stiff wind. The prediction for today was wind for the north east at 10 to 24 mph. We were to be traveling south and would be protected by barrier islands so we were not very concerned at this prediction. At least there is on rain forecast for today.

We got away from the dock with some precise planning on Joe’s part as to the sequence of removing the dock lines. We notified the marina office we were leaving and drove by their fuel dock and dropped our keys to the shower facilities into a large net held out to us. We had put a deposit on these keys and this was a good way for the marina to get the key back from boaters before they left the marina. Now we just have to make sure they don’t run the twenty dollar charge through our credit card.

The water was a little rough when we exited the shelter of the marina basin but nothing Surprise could not handle. We traveled south in the Halifax River south to New Smyrna Beach. As we approached the draw bridge at New Smyrna Joe called ahead and spoke with the bridge attendant. He asked for the schedule and was told the next opening was as forty past the hour. Joe confirmed we would most likely make that and we were told to come on up and the bridge would be opened when we to there. Not so, we got to the bridge with a good five minute wait and at forty two past the hour the bridge had not opened. I got on the radio and requested and opening. The response was immediate. I feel the man was just waiting for us to ask again as a reminder of who is in control.

Our travels took us into the Indian River North a narrow channel bordered on the east by barrier islands and to the west wooded areas and an occasional residential, trailer park or fishing camp. The wind was blowing hard from the north east and we had to be alert to not let the wind blow us to the side of the channel. We veered from the channel once in the area of day marker sixty nine. We hit bottom and heard a noise from behind. Joe immediately stopped, waited a few seconds and turned to port. After a few seconds more he started moving forward slowly and the dept gate showed 2.4 feet. We slowly got back into the middle of the channel. Wow, that scared me. My immediate thought was, “what a place for this to happen, we are out here in the middle of nowhere. I wonder if Tow Boat US comes out here”?

We got back underway being very careful to stay in mid channel. We entered the very large Mosquito Lagoon which the charts show as being form 1 to six feet on either side of the ICW channel. It took us a good hour to get through this area. Joe was constantly on guard as the wind was still blowing the boat to the side of the channel. Needless to say I was glad when we arrived at a canal that would take us into the Indian River and closer to our destination for the day.

The Haulover Canal is only a mile long with a 27 foot clearance bridge. Joe asked the bridge tender what the current clearance was and quoted 26 feet. Our mast sits at 23 above the water line. Joe decided not to ask for a bridge opening. I am sure we provided entertainment for several people on shore as they watched us creep under the bridge. We cleared the bridge by three feet.

We next entered the Indian River. We had to stay in mid channel as again we were still surrounded by shallow water. The wind was more behind us for a while so the going was not quite so nerve wracking. As we came into the Titusville Municipal Marina there were crab pots in mid channel. Any thought of backing into our slip was soon gone due to the wind.  It was blowing hard directly across the bow.  After one try Joe brought Surprise in bow first. Our dock assistant was experienced and lucky for us a strong man as the wind whipped us about in the slip. He held Surprise to the floating dock as we got dock lines attached. Wow, what a day. We got settled in, registered in the office and then had a cup of coffee and a pastry. We worked on the WEB site pages a little dinner, and then reviewed the mail we received in a FEDX package from home.  It included movies and we watched one after dinner. A nice relaxing end to the day.

Next - Adventures in Titusville, FL