June 27-July 2 2015 Brunswick Georgeia on to Wisconsin

We departed Fernandina Beach at leisurely hour and passed through Cumberland Sound.  Still no submarines except one at a dock.

Submarine at the dock as we cruised by

Leaving the Cumberland river we entered St. Andrews Sound.  And it was rough.  The channel runs almost out to the ocean before cutting back in towards the northwest into Jekyll Sound.

Some rough weather in St. Andrews Sound

We hit Jekyll Creek at very near high tide and breezed right through although the current was against us.  We were moseying along through the Creek at a tantalizing 6 MPH which to some on board was too tortoise-like.  But I always try and highlight the positives of slow travel.  You can see all the sights so much better.

Once we exited the Creek and entered St. Simons Sound we picked up some speed again and ran under the big Sidney Lanier Bridge before sliding our way into Brunswick Landing Marina.   Sherry the dock master met us on dock 15 located way back at the end of the marina.

Sherry the dock master

Deck hands watching Sherry tie up the boat.

We put the bow in first because it was easy and I wanted to go over to the fuel dock for fuel and a pump out the next day anyway.  Once we were tied up I dashed over to see Brent and Susan who were a few slips down from us.  They are old friends we have cruised on and off with for the last few years.  

All secured.

Jack and I went and took care of the  water and electrical hookups after we adjusted the dock lines.   Since it was late we just stayed on board and didn't venture out.

The next morning we started the pre-departure cleaning and straightening up regime.  I hauled and Mary did many loads of laundry.  The laundry place was a bit of a hike but the machines won rave reviews.  And it was cheap compared to other coin operated machines we've used at marinas.   A fun day, right Jack?

Ah, isn't this supposed to be a work day?

We pulled out the luggage and cleaned and dusted.  And vacuumed.   Later we all showered and put on clean cloths.  We were going out to eat with Brent and Susan.   Brent has his mini-van here so we avoided the half mile walk into downtown.

Dinner out,  Mary, Brent Jack and Susan

Downtown Brunswick is not real lively on Sunday nights  There aren't many restaurants open but we did discover one bar, whose name I've forgotten, that was so, we went there.  The food was just edible.

Afterwards we went to see Susan's art studio.  She's a delightful artist.  In fact we have a picture she painted of Mary Ann, the precocious parrot from Sandestin who we got to know quite well back in December 2013.

Jack washing down the boat

Next morning we continued cleaning the boat and began in earnest to pack.   Even Jack began  collecting all his stuff, which was scattered around the boat.  It was a busy day!  Later we all showered and dressed in our un-wrinkled finest for cocktails on Brent an Susan's boat.  Jack came along too.  Wonderful time!

Our latest pet

At some point over the last few days we ended up with a pet.  This cute snail came from somewhere and evidently decided there was better housing across the sun deck.  I applaud his fore thought in providing us a trail.  He ended up on the rock-lined shore near the boat courtesy of Jack.

The next morning Jack helped me set up the paraphernalia for pickling the water maker membranes.
  Pickling literally means circulating a solution of Sodium metabisulfite through the membranes for about 30 minutes.  This solution kills any little critters that maybe in the water, and keeps the membranes moist without the subjecting them to fouling.

Before we disconnected the high pressure fittings and hooked up the circulating pump we moved the boat.  Well, we motored over to the fuel dock for a pump out and fuel.  Even though we had more than a half tank, I wanted to fill them up.  Less air to hold the considerable moisture that's present here in Brunswick during the summer months.

And we pumped out the holding tank even though it was only 1/3 full.  Better to leave with an empty holding tank especially for the length of time we were expecting to be away..

We headed back to our dock and I started to back in but the current was really running.  Jack had ran back to the dock leaving Mary and I alone.  He was the only dock hand.

The technique for these high current situations is to get a line from the middle of the boat to the dock.  Then its rather easy to use the line to spring the boat closer to the dock.  For us though it took 4 tries before we had a line secure and the boat snuggling up to the dock.  But we made it and Jack is now an experienced dock hand!

That's us in the right center stern in to the dock

Once we were all secured again I went ahead and mixed the pickling solution and disconnected the high pressure lines.  I hooked up the pump and started it pumping.  It only took 30 minutes or so and once I shutdown the circulating pump I left the hoses all disconnected.  We have some high pressure leaks and I found a solution from Flaretite Seals which I'll use once we return to the boat in August.   For now though our membranes can be left for 6 months without having to back flush them every few weeks.

We finally finished packing, more or less, and headed to bed.  I was to pick up the car at 9AM but Hertz is almost 4 miles away and I'd normally walk there but intense pressure to get moving forced me to call Hertz for a pickup.  I arranged for an 8:30 pickup time at the marina.

Our ride

The next morning the Hertz lady was right on time and I was back at the boat in an hour with a brand new Nissan Atlima.  It wasn't the luxury model but still had the essentials, AC, cruise and a sizable trunk.

Once I was back we all repeatedly dragged a bag or sack from the boat to the nearby gazebo which was right next to the parking lot.  After we had everything there I backed the car up to the the gazebo and we started loading up the trunk.  And back seat (sorry Jack).

We had a ton of luggage and just general stuff to take back.  Usually we'll spill the excess over onto the back set.  But Jack with us, it took some creative stuffing to get everything all stowed in the poor car's trunk and backseat leaving enough room for Jack to breathe.

After we had the car crammed full,  I went back to the boat and setup the dehumidifier and drain hose, snaking it from the dehumidifier to the sink.  I had to block up the dehumidifier so it sat a little higher than the wheels allowed for so it would drain properly.

We closed everything up after I got our two small fans placed fore and aft.  Hope they can stay running for two months!  After a double check of the electrical panel and windows I shut the doors and jumped off the boat.

The last thing we had to stash in the car were Mary's herb plants.  We took one and I was going to gab the other after I went back to do a final check.  Of course I forgot so the the herb plant remained on the dock.

Breakfast

We needed breakfast and found a neat little place, Hungry Hannah's.    After chowing down we were back in the car and heading to Charleston which was less than 200 miles away.

Mary, sensing her missing herbs, interrogated me and I admitted my forgetfulness.  She called Brent and Susan who agreed to save me and take care of the plant until they leave a few days before we return.

Our plan for Charleston was to head to Patriots Point to see the ships there or, if we could make it in time, take the last tour to Fort Sumter which is what Jack really wanted to do.

It wasn't a particularly long drive but traffic on I-95 was teetering between heavy and solid.  After careful calculations we decided to try and get on the last ferry to the Fort and so Mary booked the tickets.

We entered Charleston in plenty of time and ended up taking Calhoun drive and road right past Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church which was the site of a mass shooting June 17.  It was a sobering sight with hundreds of floral wreaths and dozens of people milling about the entrance.

We reached Liberty Square next to the South Carolina Aquarium where the Fort Sumter ferry departs.  We had time to spare which was good since there was a little history museum at the ferry dock building.

Soon though we all boarded the ferry which is a rather large multi-level tour type boat.  We took seats up top and enjoyed a gran view of Charleston Harbor listening to the narrative of one of the park rangers.

As we approached the dock at Fort Sumter, we paused momentarily as another tour boat left the dock.  Then we made a large circle to head into the current and wind as we made the approach to the dock.  I was sitting very near the pilot house and was surprised to hear the captain suddenly make some disparaging remarks about the "damn boat" as we came close.  But the wind and current pushed the boat of the dock and the deck hands failed to get a line secured so we basically missed the dock.

To the captains credit, the winds were strong and the current was running as well.  Difficult conditions.  The boat, a twin engine ferry, had lost an engine as we approached the Fort's dock and that  prompted the captains remarks.  When I talked with him his words regarding the boat were, well guarded.  But he was not a happy captain.

Jack ready to enter the Fort

Luckily the engine re-started as we came around for another try and this time the deck hands did manage to secure a line and the captain was able to spring the boat to the dock.  Yeah!!

We all disembarked and gathered for another park rangers talk about the Fort.  Very interesting.  He engaged the group too asking people to answer questions he would pose.  Answers were gently corrected prompting additional questions.  It was very well done.

Jack, would raise his hand during when the ranger would ask a question and was called out twice.  Of course, he always answered correctly.  Little professor...

The Fort

As we moved around the Fort, another park ranger interrupted the processing with an announcement about an immediate departure time due to weather.  And sure enough looking out towards the southwest there were very dark, ominous clouds.  Forecasts for severe thunderstorms were being issued for Charleston and surrounding area.

The Fort and our tour boat at the Fort's dock

 We were actually given 10 minutes to board the boat.  I only had time to breeze through the little museum before being chased out.

The weather moving in

We all did make it aboard in the requisite time and departed the dock as one of the rangers announced we had about 35 minutes before the weather was expected to hit.  That would put us at the dock about the same time as the rain.  The parking garage was a few blocks away so a mad dash through a thunderstorm was probably in our future.

As we came close to the ferry dock the boat suddenly headed back out towards the harbor main channel.  gin, one of the engines had quit.  We ended up circling in the harbor with ever escalating winds and traffic.  Large freighter traffic to be specific.  In fact we were off to the side of two freighters passing each other, one going out to sea and the other returning.  Exciting.

Freighter traffic as we circled.  And ugly skies 

We ended up circling for abut 15 minutes when the dead engine burst into life again and the captain steered right for the dock.  The rain never materialized except for a few sprinkles.  The wind remained strong.

We speedily made our way to the parking garage and left heading over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge towards Patriot Point and a hotel there.

Exhausted traveler

Jack and I drove over to the nearby shopping center and picked out some food at the local Harris Teeter grocery store.  We ate in the room and hit the hay pretty early.  Our goal tomorrow was to be in northern Kentucky.

Bob Evans!  Our first time

Leaving at 8pm provided us a good 10 hours of travel time an we made the most of it by making Lexington Kentucky before the sunset.  We ate dinner at the nearby Bob Evans Cafe, places we normally don't patronize, but in this case it was the only viable alternative so in we went.

And it was rather good!  I think we may visit another.

Back home Jack!

Another early start the next day and we rolled into Ixonia into Wisconsin by mid afternoon. the late afternoon.  The car was really humming along these flat boring highways.

The boat does 8mph.  Quite a difference driving a car

Jonah, ever the excitable 4-year-old, sat on a little chair in the driveway waiting for Jack to make it home.  My idea of parking on another street and sneaking up on him from behind was nixed.  dang ..

Jonah patiently waiting for his brother

So here we are for 6 weeks or so.  I think we have our land legs back.

Hi Sammy.  I'm called Nona.

Our first task though was to unload a few things and dash over to see our newest grandson, Sammy.

June 24-26 Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach

We made a leisurely exit from the mooring field and I was still debating whether or not to head out into the ocean instead of the tortuous ICW route to Jacksonville.   

Heading out to sea

Two sailboats who had left just before us split up, one heading up the ICW, the other heading out to sea.   I was going to follow one of them.

The 5 weather sites I check were all pretty much in agreement about the 2-3 foot ocean swells.  Where they differed was the thunderstorm forecast.  Three said severe storms 50% possibility, the other two just casually mentioned rain.

What, the hell I thought.  It’s a few miles longer but the cooling sea breeze will be a welcome relief!

Heading up the ICW after we turned around out in the ocean

So we headed out to sea in very mild swells.  I had just turned north out of the inlet  when Jack, resembling a pale green alien, asked how long we’d be out at sea.  I said 4 hours.  His hue went from pale to a deeper, more penetrating green as he said he was feeling ill.

And just to drive the point home he ran out to the side deck and lost his breakfast.

Ok, probably not a good thing to mention, 4 hours at sea.  Then again it was beneficial to discover his sea sickness now while we could easily turn back.

And turn back we did.  Back through the inlet and up the ICW.

At least we had a rising tide for a few hours which pushed us up to a blistering 8 mph.  But then we hit the current as the tide switched and plodded along at 6 mph for an hour before merging in the St. Johns River.

The initial anchorage I found was right in the river.  Bit it was too open for my comfort, and over 30 feet deep a hundred yard from shore.  It was also right off the main shipping channel and Jacksonville is a busy port with large ships constantly coming and going.

(Misplaced our pictures from Jacksonville)

So we abandon that idea and briefly discussed a free dock up past Sisters Creek, but Mary had misgivings, so we up the river we went to another anchorage I had checked out.  Its between Blount Island and Little Marsh Island.  It was only a few miles further up river and it turned out to be a nice little spot across from some commercial docks.    But the holding was good and we were the only boat there.

Weather reports indicated heavy thunderstorms rolling our way but they seem to evaporate before approaching us near the coast.  So I’m hoping that will be the case tonight.

Jack and I left Mary on board and took the dinghy out for a ride up the St. Johns River towards the inlet.  We intended to run by the Mayport Naval base after checking out that free dock I was lusting after.  Free dock means no marina fees.  

We turned up into Sisters Creek first and found that Mary was right with her misgivings.  The free dock was in great shape but our boat is a bit too big to get in there and turn around, especially if the current is running.  And the current was zipping through when Jack and I checked it out.  So scratch that off the list of possibilities.

We headed back out the creek and into the St. Johns River another 7 miles out towards the ocean and saw the Mayport Naval Ship Yard.  There were 7 ships in there but we couldn't enter the basin and had to be satisfied with seeing them from a distance.  We didn't linger but headed back soon after.  All told we probably ran in excess of 15 miles in the dinghy.  It's times like these I'm glad we have this not so tiny dinghy even though its such a pain to haul it back aboard all the time.

We headed back to the boat to have cocktails and watch the dark clouds roll in and out without leaving any rain.  I really wish it would rain.  The humidity is a killer … 95% and its 92 degrees out.  Ugh.

The Free dock.

We headed out the next morning with the tide and made the turn into Sisters Creek and cruised right by the free dock which I pointed out to Mary.

 It started out to be another uneventful cruise up the ICW.  The weather was actually pleasant as we passed through Nassau Sound and started traveling up the Amelia River by Amelia Island .  

I was keeping an eye on the dark clouds out west of us.  Around mid afternoon as we

More dark clouds 

were passing under the Amelia Island twin highway bridges those clouds were looming right over us.  And the winds had begun to pick up.  Off in the distance we could see torrential rain.   Wonderful.

So much for anchoring at Cumberland Island.  The anchorage is open to the southwest and the thunderheads were moving from southwest the northeast.  And the southwest winds were intensifying.  

Coming into Fernandina Beach

We hit some brief, but pretty intense gusts as we rounded the big corner on the Amelia River heading into Fernandina Beach. 

I called the Fernandina Beach Marina and they had a spot for us on the outside of sea wall and that's were we decided to spend the night. 

We were heading into the current and the wind was easing us on the dock making it a breeze to tie up.  We were secured in a few minutes as the dark clouds continued to roll by.  But there were only light sprinkles, almost unnoticeable.  Jack and I secured the dinghy as best we could and then pretty much hung around the boat until dinner time when we headed over to the Crab Trap, a local seafood place.  Jack loves seafood.

Unfortunately it was packed.  Mary didn't want to wait around for an hour so we ended up at Marina Seafood Restaurant which was pretty good.

That's the owner seated on the bench in front of her place, Marina Seafood.

I talked with the owner, and lady about our age who ran the place like a well oiled machine.  The serving staff, mostly youngsters, were running all over carrying out her orders.

We walked up the street for ice cream to our favorite ice cream place here, Island Time.  Its one of those dispense-your-own yogurt places.  Naturally Jack, unfamiliar with the procedure, filled a cup to overflowing and then some.  It took him a while to inhale all of it, but he managed.

After diner, a pound of frozen yogurt.   Mary and I suffered with 3 oz.

We opted for another day here in the marina.  The weather reports all were indicating a 60% chance of thunderstorms with winds out of the SW which, if strong, can make the Cumberland Island anchorage uncomfortable.  So we decided to stay at the marina and be decadent running the air conditioning and taking long showers.  It meant we wouldn't be anchoring at Cumberland.  The weather was just too unstable and we didn't want to expose Jack to an anchor dragging at 3 AM during a thunder storm.

He's lucky.  Before, we didn't have an electric vacuum

We took some time to clean the boat up a little and even engaged Jack for vacuuming detail.   He did very well!

After cleaning, we all clamored in the dinghy for the 9 miles across Cumberland Sound and the St. Marys River to Cumberland Island.  

Alas, we saw no submarines.  The Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay at Kings Bay is almost right across from the Cumberland Island anchorage.  And every once in a while submarines from the Atlantic Submarine Fleet return to this base.  Lucky cruisers have followed them up the sound albeit behind several little patrol raft with machine guns at the ready.

The dinghy dock at Cumberland Island

Walking up the dock towards the forest path to the beach

On the beach.  Its low tide so there is plenty of beach

We did see the famous wild horses on the island as we cruised up to the dinghy dock.  

The walk to the beach is about ¾ of a mile through the forest and we spent several hours there.  It was low tide when we arrived and we were almost chased off the beach by the rising tide.

The ride back was a little bouncy and wet but a little salt water never hurt anyone.  We parked the dinghy at the marina dinghy dock this time and made the decision to leave here tomorrow around noon so we can traverse Jekyll Creek on a rising, and near high tide.  Jekyll Creek runs along Jekyll Island and is notorious for being a shallow area.  It runs from Jekyll Sound to St. Simons Sound and most of us go through it at high tide.  

We needed groceries so after we returned from Cumberland I got my bike down and rode off to the Winn Dixie which was closer than Publix.  It was also next to the Wal-Mart but I only had my bike and with the grocery list I had, there was room for nothing more.

I think it must be an unconscious goal of mine to bike to every grocery store near water.  I’ve certainly gotten a good start on achieving that goal.

When I returned we stowed the groceries and got my bike back aboard.  We had a nice chat with a sailboat couple from New Zealand who were tied up near us. We also talked with a couple on a catamaran from Michigan who had just started living aboard after selling all their stuff, a growing theme I'm discovering.  It's amazing how much fun it is to be on a transient dock meeting all sorts of people.

 

We had cocktail hour, and ate shrimp for dinner before walking to Island Time again.  We didn't want to be bad grandparents and leave our poor starving grandson without an ice cream fix.  Only 9 ounces this time though.  Guess he couldn't handle another pound of yogurt.

We went back to the boat and lounged around as dock walkers gawked at our boat.    Its kinda funny listening to the comments which I'm sure they wouldn't be repeating if they knew how clear their voices were to us inside.

It seemed like a good night for a movie, so we loaded up Shrek at Jacks suggestion.  But first we had to engage in a video call with Jennifer and Dave, Jacks parents, so they could actually talk with their son who conveniently neglected to text or call them all last week.

After Shrek, Jack and I hoisted the dinghy back aboard and after an engine room check we settled in for a good nights sleep.   Tomorrow we head to Brunswick!

June 22, 2015 Marineland to St. Augustine

We left Marineland Marina rather late, around 11:30AM.  There was a pretty stiff wind and Eric the dock master suggested we use a bow line to help swing the boat around in the tight space in front of the dock.  So we did that and it worked flawlessly.  We spun around and I had the bow facing out making it an easy departure.  We made it through the shallow channel into the ICW and headed north to St. Augustine.  It was a routine and short trip of only about 12 miles.  We are able to run under the Bridge of Lions without needing it to be opened which is a nice convenience.     

Stellar deck crew snagged the mooring ball

I called the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and they assigned us mooring ball #5 in the north field.  It was the only free ball in the row so I first tried to approach it with the current and wind pushing us from astern and the deck crew (Mary and Jack) couldn't snare the pendant.  So I backed off and went around and approached it facing the current and they managed to grab it on the first try.  We had both port and starboard lines attached in a few minutes!

That's us in the middle.  Great spot

We are moored in front of the Fort

The first of umpteen gift shops

Next we all hopped in the dinghy and drove into the marina office where we paid for two nights and then headed into town.  It was too late to get in the fort so we just meandered around St. George Street with Jack who was eyeing up the numerous trinket/gift shops.

Ice Cream!

We needed ice cream so we went to the ice cream place where we had stopped back last year when the Hagens visited us here.   

After ice cream we did wander over to the fort but it was closed so then we walked up Hypolita Street in search of a tea and herb store.  We found it.  And it was closed.  So then, using good old google, we found and then walked to an olive oil store, The Ancient Olive on King Street.  Bought a few bottles of olive oil and then walked up King Street to the marina and rode the dinghy back over to our boat.

On board, we started up the generator and ate dinner and made water.  The water maker ran just fine but we made water on an ebbing tide and the pre-filters got pretty dirty.  But they're simple to clean.  I just pull a line through their hollow center and tie a large knot it so they cant slip off.  Then toss them overboard after tying the line to the boat.  They get pulled through the water and clean up remarkably well.  I have seen sailors do this sort of thing with a mesh bag and laundry too.

We went into town the next morning to visit the fort.  The fort, Castillo de San Marcos, is a national park so I yanked out my seniors park pass and we all got in for free.

The Fort

Grandma pilfering the donation box??

We wandered around the fort for a few hours and Jack hit the gift shop for awhile before we exited and walked towards St. George street for, what else, ice cream.  It was lunch time after all.

We stopped in a few gift/t-shirt stores and in one I bought a hat much to Mary's relief because my beloved straw hat has fallen out of favor and I'm shunned if I wear it anywhere in polite society.

At another shop, like there would ever be a lack of trinket shops, we bought a decorative metal fish for me to hang somewhere.  I’ve pointed out in the past that boats move, sometimes violently thus making hanging objects potential flying objects.  No matter.  I have to find a way to hang them anyway.  So much for safety lectures.

We made our way back to the boat and debated whether to take the dinghy to Anastasia State Park or Vilano beach which borders the inlet.  Why?   Because we needed beach time! 

It was a bit windy and and the ocean swells were rolling a bit to high for a comfortable ride out to Anastasia.  So we chose Vilano Beach inlet.  

Not such a good spot

We approached Vilano Beach and pulled the dinghy to shore.  But the current was very strong and, combined with passing boat wakes, keeping the dinghy on the beach without it banging itself to smithereens wasn't possible.   So we packed up and, since there was rain moving in, went back to the boat.

After the rain passed the sun was peeking out so we decided to return to Vilano Beach, but at a


different location more into the river which is out of the inlet's strong currents.

Better Spot

The new location, was probably 10 feet deep only a few yards from shore and proved to have much smoother water.  We stayed for a few hours while Jack did his beach thing.  I talked with a few other people who were there mostly fishing.  Interesting group as always.

While I was talking with a group of fisherman we noticed dark clouds out in the distance again.  With a forecast of severe thunderstorms, people were slowly heading off the beach back to where they came from.  And we decided to leave too since the dark rain clouds seemed to be hanging right over our boat. 

Storm looking more ominous than it was

It rained, but only lightly.  And after it passed I took the dinghy in to the marina with the garbage and then fueled it up.  Once back on the boat we grilled pork chops.  Yummy.

Budding engineer

While Mary did dishes Jack helped me switch an antenna connection so I could test a radio to confirm  it had a bad transmitter.  Sigh ... another thing to replace.

Then Jack and I headed down into the engine room for a pre-departure engine room check.

We ran the generator and AC for a few hours and turned in early.  On towards Jacksonville tomorrow and an anchorage we’ve never used before,  Exciting!

June 18-21, 2015 Kennedy Space Center and Marineland

Titusville is situated right across from the Kennedy Space Center.  The marina, and several anchorages near by afford a perfect view of any launch activities.  I always wanted to anchor here and watch a Shuttle launch but alas, the program ended too soon.  However there are other launches, 9 more this year, so we may catch one as we make our way back south in the fall

With Jack on board, we did manage to leave before 9 the next morning and  spent most of day at Kennedy Space Center.  It was hot and humid but most of the exhibits are inside buildings so we didn't suffer too badly.

Shuttle Atlantis exhibit

We first made our way to the Atlantis Exhibit.  You watch a short video which is on what appears to be a movable screen.  As the video progresses the screen slides to the side to revel another screen while the video continues to play.

At the end, the screen slides once more to reveal an image of the shuttle imposed on an opaque screen which, after a crescendo of music, opens up to a view of Atlantis.  And it's the actual shuttle hanging there in a large room.  Very cool.  It reminded me of the Grand Canyon experience where you are suddenly confronted with the immense vista of the Grand Canyon as you emerge from the surrounding foliage along the road.  

Shuttle Atlantis 

The Shuttle is unchanged from when it landed.  No cleaning or refurbishment was done.  It was plucked from the runway and stowed as is, until they moved it to the exhibition hall.  You can see little pock marks on the tiles, and soot along the back where the engine nozzles are located. The whole scene is really quite amazing. 

I should mention this whole exhibit is privately funded.  NASA doesn't provide any financial support other than some consulting and retired staff engineers etc. who love talking about the shuttle and the whole operation.

After spending an unspecified amount of time looking at all the artifacts you wander down some stairs to another exhibit area where you can humiliate yourself trying to land a shuttle on one of their simulators.

Jack had spied the gift shop a short distance away and of course was in there practicing his math skills trying to figure out how much he could buy.  I was walking by a ramp type structure when a nice lady motioned me over and began convincing me to try the shuttle launch experience.

What?  Yes, a shuttle launch experience.  Well, a ride simulating a shuttle launch which she described as spectacular.

I was convinced!  But I had to pry Jack out of the gift shop, convince him to join me for this "experience".  At first there was reluctance but as we made out way up the ramp reluctance turned into excitement.  
We were ushered into a large room with about a dozen other folks.  There, we watched a video describing the launch experience and when that was over, two doors opened and we walked into a hallway to stand in front of more doors.  We could hear rumbling and machinery noises in the background.

After a few minutes a lady gave a short speech, basically saying once your in there your not getting out and if your wary, leave now.  And if you have marginal health, consider leaving.

Yikes, what they heck are we getting into?

After the speech, another set of doors opened exposing a room with a rows of seats.  Since there were only a dozen people we had our pick and chose the middle row.

Much like an airplane, you buckled up and then were scrutinized my a stern looking women who was not shy about tightening up your belt.  I was beginning to wonder if were were really going to be launched?   Jacks mother would have me flayed alive!

After the belt checks, the doors closed, and the large monitor came alive with a former astronaut briefly explaining the various launch phases and the meaning of the displays flashing on the monitors.

Suddenly, there were mechanical noises and the lights went dim.  Without warning the whole floor (and the attached seats) rotated up 90 degrees accompanied by louder mechanical noises mimicking I guess, the launch tower decoupling.  

On the main display I noticed the 1 was replaced by a 0.  Uh Oh ...

The ensuing rocket firing noise simulation was a saturating experience along with shacking and rolling of the seats.  The noise abated slightly and the shacking was replaced by vibrations.  I should rephrase that.

VIBRATIONS.

I found it kind of funny, vibrating like that.  Then we were thrust forward simulating the shutting down of the SRB (Solid Rocket Booster).  Immediately after, we were thrust back in our seats as the simulated main engines we're throttled up.  All of this took place within several few minutes, and was always in concert with a low frequency background, chest shaking wall of sound which, they say is pretty close to the real thing.

It was quite impressive.  And hilariously fun.  Even Jack offered his approval.

Jack rocketed back to the gift shop while I tried a few more times to land the shuttle.  I failed every time.   The pubescent young girl who calmly took over after me, landed the thing perfectly.  She smiled that, "this is so easy its boring smile" at me while I slinked away feeling a bit like a washed up old man.  Sheez ... 

Tired of the gift shop, the next best thing is a medallion dispenser

We ate lunch at the Orbit Cafe where you can place your order at any number of kiosk by passing the  long line at the ordering counter.

It was, edible food.  I think that's where we acquired the free space food, freeze dried ice cream.  And speaking of ice cream we stopped at one of the ice cream places and had some soft serve.  It wasn't cheap, but on a blistering hot day was a cooling treat

SpaceX and launch pad 39A

Next we went over to the where the buses are loaded and took a bus to the Apollo exhibit but first drove by Launch Control Center, the Crawlerway and the Vehicle Assembly Building, before driving by launch pad 39A which is part of Launch Complex 39.    We also had a closeup drive-by of the huge Crawler Transporter.

Launch pad 39A

Launch pad 39A was the platform where of many of the Apollo and Shuttle launches took place. Its now being leased by SpaceX.  There's even a building there with a large SpaceX sign but no rockets.

Crawler-transporter

We were able clearly see the all these places but weren't allowed out of the bus.  We ended up at the Apollo exhibit where they had the Apollo 14 capsule and a Saturn 5 rocket which is immense.  And there were some Apollo artifacts include some moon rocks, Jim Lovell's space suite and an Apollo Lunar.  And the actual Lunar Lander emergency procedure manual.

We only stayed here an hour or so before heading back on a bus to the main Visitor Complex.  It was in the mid 90's so we didn't have much desire to seek more knowledge from the outdoor exhibits.  

Apollo Launch Control

Wooses, we dashed to the promised comfort of an air conditioned car.

We had to drive over to Cocoa (not cocoa Beach) so I could make a quick stop at West Marine for an antenna connector.  That took us a good 30 minutes, and after I had the part it was another 45 minutes to the iconic Dixie Crossroads restaurant where Mary wanted to have dinner.  

Tuckered out after a day with the old folks

It was, well ok I guess.  Edible food but I think Jack enjoyed feeding the fish more.  The fish  congregate near the bridge which spans the area between the building and the parking lot.  And of course there is fish food you can buy.

We made it back to the boat and went to bed since I had to get the car back by 7:30M so we could leave the dock for Rockhouse Anchorage near New Smyrna Beach.

I was up and talking with Simon, the young and very competent Enterprise guy by 7:35 and back at the boat by 8AM.

After doing all the things we have to do before leaving a dock, and then actually leaving the dock, we still made out to the ICW by 9AM.

One of the unusual things we had to do this time was securing the dinghy to the port side of the boat so it wouldn't catch the dock as we powered away.  Once we were out in the channel I loosened the line securing the dinghy to the port side and it just floated back and was caught by the tow line and off we went towards Haulover Canal and Mosquito Lagoon.

That's right.  The water temp was  92.3

This section of the ICW through Florida is, well boring.  Low marshy shoreline with occasional spoil islands and plenty of never ending shallow (2-3 feet) water outside the channel.  And it was hot.  In the mid 90's again and very humid.  And the water wasn't cool either, it hovering in the 90's.

We don't run any AC while cruising so all we had was a pittance of a fan blowing hot air around in the fly bridge.  The crew, dedicated more to remaining comfortable I think, remained on the sundeck reading in the cooler breezes while I, stalwart captain that I am, fried and sweated up on the fly bridge.  They owe me! 

A dolphin duet

However once again the dolphins decided to mock our slow progress by circling around and zigzagging in our bow wave.    Mary, ever the dolphin singer, had Jack out there too.  So the poor dolphins were able to listen to a duet.  They did leave soon after but I'm sure all the singing had nothing to do with their abrupt departure.  Nope.  Nothing at all.

The nice beach in the upper center

We didn't have to have any bridges opened for us and glided around the somewhat troublesome curve at New Smyrna Beach and entered Rockhouse Creek which is adjacent to Ponce deLeon Inlet.  We were the only boat there except for the dozen or so small boats pulled up on the beach in the distance.

It was delightful in no small part because of the discernible sea breeze which offered some respite from the heat.  We were in plenty of water and the anchor was well set so we got in the dinghy and headed over to the beach.

The beach before it got busy

I walked up and down the beach talking with several people who had their boats pulled up to shore.  And from them,I learned a number of interesting bits of info about the beach, and the inlet.

Jack and I Shot the Pooch too.  Shooting the Pooch is a local term riding the down along the beach.  The current here runs about 3-5 mph so its a fun ride.  We did it three times, twice with noodles one of the kind boaters lent us.

Talked for quite awhile with a guy who lives nearby and makes a living flipping houses.  He seems to be doing pretty well.

Two guys in another boat next to us would Shoot the Pooch and the return to the boat to smoke a joint before heading back up stream to Shoot the Pooch again.  And yes they did offer but I declined.

Wash down!

After a few hours the tide was beginning to encroach on the available beach so we got back in the dinghy and rode out the inlet.  It was a bit rough with the tide running so we didn't go out far but ran back towards New Smyrna and around that troublesome curve and came back to the boat.

Cocktails

It was cocktail time so Jack and I took chairs up on the sundeck roof and enjoyed sausage and cheese with a beverage.

Had dinner and watched Big Hero 6 before going to bed.  There were thunderstorms in the area but we they seemed to bypass us all night.

The next morning we left Rockhouse around 9 AM and headed for Marineland Marina which is about 12 miles south of St. Augustine.  It was another hot muggy day and we more dolphin encounters.

A pretty good helmsman 

Jack took the helm for a while too.

Line handlers preparing lines for docking

Approaching the Marineland marina dock

Marineland Marina is one of those quaint marinas that are small and just plan friendly.  A bit skinny(skinny meaning shallow water) at low tide but doable without much trouble.  And its right off the ICW.  There is a beach across the road Marineland,an aquatic research place which has a dolphin experience and a few turtle exhibits.

Tomorrow we go feed the dolphins at Marineland research institute.

After we tied up I bit the bullet and fixed the aft head which had been acting and sounding like it was near death.  I have a whole new macerator which I was going to install.  But when pulled out the old one I found the chopper blade and shaft intact but wrapped in some sort of cloth.  Once I removed that I put it all back together and it works fine albeit a bit noisy.  But I'll save the new assembly for when it really breaks.

We did a laundry in the morning.  Well, I nly hauled it to the laundry place and Mary actually did it.  Its free here so we do as much as we can.  So while Mary was slaving away in the laundry room, Jack and I took a cooling dinghy ride 5 miles up the ICW to Matanzas Inlet.

Matanzas Inlet has an old fort and is an anchorage if you know how to get in.  And I do now having used the dinghy to sound out (using the dinghy depth sounder) where the deep water channel is located.

Matanzas fort

After we did a few sounding runs Jack and I anchored the dinghy near the beach and strolled around a bit.  It wasn't possible to get near the fort but the beach was great!

Mantanzas Beach

We couldn't stay long because we had to be at Marineland for the dolphin feeding encounter by noon.
  

Mary had the laundry pretty much completed and we made it back in time so we headed across the street to Marineland.  We checked in, wandered for a few minutes looking at the 3 sea turtles they had before heading over to the dolphin encounter area.

The dolphin area is comprised of a number of pools and gates which let the trainers control which dolphin(s) enter which pool.  Very efficient.

We opted for the feeding experience which was, highly priced, over the swimming experience which was three months of fuel.  Per person.  Ouch!

The rather limited turtle exhibit

We waited for a about 20 minutes before we were led up onto the encounter deck bordering the pools and given instructions.  Once that was complete we put all our stuff, cameras included, into a little locker space and walked to the edge of the pool with our trainer whose name I forgot.   But I'll never forget the image of her in a wet suite carrying a huge bucket of dead and smelly fish.

Dolphins may differ with my assessment, insisting how aromatically delicious they are.  But for me  they smelled like dead, rotting fish.  We were informed though that they only feed them the finest of dead fish.  Gourmet dead fish it would seem.

We began by meeting the dolphin, whose name we've embarrassingly all forgotten.  We splashed her and she drenched us, and I mean drenched.  She'd use her head to toss a wall of water.  The interesting thing about this was her aim  It was perfect.

She really enjoyed the belly rubbing

Next we rubbed her belly.  It was quite impressive.  She rolled on her back and we all rubbed her belly and she closed her eyes as if really enjoying the whole episode.  When I asked the trainer about it she said yes, they do relish touch.  Who knew.

We got drenched!

Next she ducked her head down in the water and raised her tail up and we all grabbed on.  We didn't know, but this was a photo opportunity.  You cant have a camera when your involved with the dolphins so the staff conveniently takes pictures for you.  And yes, you pay for them after.  But in this case we let go too soon for them to take a picture so we all raised our hands and she popped up out of the water for a few seconds which gave the photographers enough time to snap a few pictures.

Like were all doing some disco dance at a wedding

Jaack holding her fins

Jack feeding her fish

Mary smooching the dolphin

Next we shook her flipper.  Mary though got to plant a kiss on her forehead.

The we we started feeding her fish.  You'd pick up a nice juicy dead fish out of the bucket and she'd rise up out of the water with an open mouth and you drop the fish in.  There was no chewing even though she had an impressive row of very sharp teeth..  She just swallowed them whole.  We each fed her maybe 5 fish before our time was up.

Then we waved goodbye and were ushered out being careful to stay outside the blue line which wound around the pools.

Checking the line Jack?

Bike path along route A1A to Publix

Once we returned to the boat, Jack and Mary went to the beach while I worked on the water maker and entered routes into the navigation system.

Needing milk and a few other essential items I took my bike don and rode off to the Publix about 4 mils down the road.  It was a very pleasant ride because there was a paved bike path virtually the entire 4 miles.  Nice

For dinner, Mary made squash spaghetti.  Jack, a smart and vegetable savoy young man,  noted the spaghetti tasted like vegetables.  Busted!  He then went on to speculate that Mary didn't have the skills necessary to create spaghetti from icky squash.   Quite funny.

We were planning on leaving the next day for St. Augustine.  It was less than 20 miles so we decided we'd wait until the tide started rising which puts us around 11:30.  S I guess we can sleep late tomorrow!