Away to Vero Beach

We anchored in Daytona Beach in a very tight, shallow anchorage two nights ago and didn't dare leave the boat. It was a bit frustrating because the strip was so close. We were still worn out from all of the running to Orlando anyway. We went to Cocoa yesterday - it reminded us of the trip we took years ago when the kids were little. We had taken them to Orlando to Disney and then drove out to Cocoa Beach.Aidan and Elizabeth don't remember too much except the Kennedy Space Center and Disney. Check out Elizabeth's take on this trip at http://www.elizabethssailingblog.%20blogspot.com/.

Time flies.

We see dozens of signs warning boaters to slow down to protect the manatees - an endangered species.The manatees often swim just below the surface and the props from speeding boats slice into their backs,injuring or killing them. About 30 years ago there were only 200 or 300.Due to the awareness campaigns, there are now about 3000 but they are still fragile, with decreasing habitat and speeding boats. Scott has seen two while driving - they are very large, gentle creatures, sort of like small elephants of the sea.

It's rainy today and we had a nice shower last night to wash the salt spray off the boat.

We're headed to Vero Beach, some people call it Velcro Beach as they get stuck there waiting nervously for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas. We would like to find another boat to travel with but we're not too sure about success. Our boat is actually kind of fast,to put it modestly, and we'll need to find one that travels about the same speed.

We've also changed our minds a bit about where we're going to get into a spot for mom and dad and Reggie to meet us. We've decided that instead of crossing from Lake Worth Inlet (near West Palm Beach)to Lucaya on Grand Bahamas and then heading south to Nassau and then the Exumas that we'll head further north to West End or Memory Rock, then Great Sale Cay north of Grand Bahamas and then head to the east to the Abaco Islands. We think it may be less likely we can get south given challenges posed by weather and the distances involved.

We can meet up with the gang at Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay and it's easy cruising for a week or so. There are lots of great day trips we can take from Marsh Harbour and there are plenty of places to stay for mom and dad and to fly in and out of.

We're all looking forward to seeing them so much. There's just so much to do in Vero, it's a bit overwhelming. Got to go add to the list.