Day 10.  We had an awesome weekend at Cocoa Village Marina attending a Westsail Association gathering.  We met wonderful new friends, all who own or are associated with the same boat as ours.  They are different sizes and have different layouts, but they are all beautiful sea worthy boats.  

We left on Sunday and found a new anchorage that we loved...Melbourne Beach.  Lots of historical sites and a beautiful place to walk around.  I especially loved the small track of the Melbourne & Atlantic railroad that was marked from 1889.  My father's father worked for the railroad, and I never met him.  But I enjoy hearing the trains go by our different anchorages every morning as we travel south.  So this brought fond memories of stories my dad told me of him.

Day 6.  Anchored near marina where we will spend the weekend.  Thought you might enjoy seeing some of the boats we pass along our trip this year.  A tug boat, a freighter like the one in Captain Phillips (the movie with Tom Hanks), and a cruise ship approaching a little boat!   The ultimate house boat. The laundry has been the same for years.

Day 5 at anchor

We have had great cruising weather with light winds, so we have motored sailed our way south. We have anchored in Daytona, New Smyrna, and now in Titusville.  The winds were favorable today, so we were able to turn off the engine and sail with our Jib sail ( the one at the very front of the boat).

Yesterday was a fun day for Bentley.  We were able to pull up to a free city dock in New Smyrna, and we walked around the park enjoying all the benefits of green grass for dogs.  Then I walked into town to meet my friend Cappy.  We met each other on Hilton Head back in 1986 when we both lived in a beach neighborhood called Folly Field.   We had fun talking about her adventures at sea when she was younger, about old friends, and enjoyed our walks up and down the city blocks of tiny, artsy New Smyrna.  I found these awesome lawn decorations made out of old plates!  

Day 2 at anchor

We have been at anchor for two nights now, and Bentley is adjusting to sea living again.  The first night of anchorage was near Sister's Creek which is near the end of the St. John's River and the ICW.
Captain tried his best to get the dingy ready to take Bentley to shore, but the motor wouldn't cooperate.  So after many walks around the deck, Bentley remembered what to do when not on shore!
Last night we anchored south of St. Augustine at Ft. Matanzas.  It is a beautiful anchorage but alas we were stuck on board.  Bentley had no problem remembering the routine!  This morning before we pull anchor, Will is proudly running and testing the water maker he got working during our marina stay.

We left the marina this morning at 9:15 am.  We leave behind lots of friends that we have met in the last three months.  We hope to see them all again either along our travels or when we return again someday.  Bentley will surely miss his all the attention he received and the many adventures looking for cat food in the neighborhood.  We will travel down the St. John's River and head for the ICW.

We have been at the Fleming Island Marine on the St John's River south of Jacksonville since the middle of July.  As Will and I work on boat projects, Bentley enjoys sitting on the cabin top watching for visitors.  Today he received a raw hide bone from our neighbors.  

We plan to leave the marina by the end of the week and will keep all who are interested in our third voyage to southern waters.  Bentley's adventures can be followed along with our travels.

Happy Birthday to my daughter Carly on Hilton Head Island.  She turns 25 today, Love, Mom