"La Florida"

 TRAVEL DAY 16 - Palm Coast to St. Augustine

March 11, 2023

3.75 Hours/24.9 Miles

    It's Saturday. We try to avoid traveling much on the weekends as the boat traffic tends to be heavier. but the extra lost day at Titusville made yesterday's run longer and today shorter! Still, we know Saturday will bring more wakes. 

One of several rowing teams we saw
 
Mantanza River

    As our time on the water increases, so do our skills and our confidence in both our boat and equipment. The Volvo chugs on everyday without a hiccup. We are chasing 70 degrees but 70 degrees is winning. Today it stayed in the 60's and operating from the flybridge was a bit uncomfortable so except for the initial departure and final docking, we spent the day in the salon at the lower helm. 

Neptune guards the Sportfisher

   As we moved north we passed by Marineland.  Marineland was built around 1938 and was a Florida tourist attraction with dolphins, fish and animals. It was basically the first Seaworld. We didn't stop but we were tempted. 

Marineland
    
Matanza Inlet Bridge (A1A)

    We passed Fort Matanza National Monument, built by the Spanish in 1742 to guard Mantanza inlet. The tide turned and pushed us from 6.5 to 8.5 mph. 

Fort Mantanza

    Our original plan was to stay at the Conch House Marina but we tried again to make reservations at a less expensive marina and this time we were successful. We pulled into Riversedge Marina for a pump out and then to our slip. There were a few Loopers here as well. 

Plenty of Loopers
 
No looting & pillaging when the pirate ship is in the travel lift for repairs! 

    I have relatives in St. Augustine & my aunt met us an hour later. She brought us a couple packages I had delivered to her house and we visited for a couple of hours. Awesome.

Time to Explore St. Augustine
    
Palm Coast to St. Augustine

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