Day 7 - Melbourne to Daytona Beach

A beautiful day for boating along the ICW.  The trip had a perfect combination of open speed areas (25 mph max) and no wake areas (under 6 mph).

We chugged through Cape Canaveral (you could see a shuttle in the distance), Titusville, New Smyrna Beach and ended our day in Daytona Beach.



Canoe fishing in Haulover Canal



Most of the way so far the ICW has been in the Indian River but today the ICW brought us a little further East through Haulover Canal to get into the Halifax River.  The Halifax River is beautiful and small so the wind didn't have much affect and the river is a part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge so lots of creatures.





Haulover Canal - Fishing Dog



We saw tons of boaters, one manatee, about 10 dolphin and countless herons and pelicans.    And, my personal favorite, and floating "snack bar" in New Smyrna Beach area.

Enjoy the views.....we certainly did.

Day 6 - West Palm Beach to Melbourne

It was a full and fun day on the ICW....lots of scenes of people out enjoying their long weekend and great weather. 

N. Palm Beach

Little patriotic tug - Jupiter

We traveled through N. Palm, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, Vero and entered into Melbourne Harbor Marina in the late afternoon.  Still a fair bit of East Wind so a slightly bumpy ride.  But, we still made great distance for the conditions...traveling a bit more than 100 miles.

Just so no one thinks Cassie is suffering when we are underway, here is her typical travel position......4 pillows, 2 fans, and a toy.

Melbourne Harbor Marina was a fine stop for one night and we were happy to be in and tied up as the wind continued to build during the night.  Should be calmer come morning.



Cassie looking out Melbourne Harbor Channel and loving the grass



Tomorrow, off to Daytona/New Smyrna Beach area....then, to an Inn in St. Augustine for 2 nights.  Cassie and I are doing our happy dance.

Day 5 - West Palm Beach

Here are some pictures from our day of walking and exploring West Palm.    Great town with beautiful, useful public space.  And, very dog friendly.

DOGGY WATER FOUNTAINS...AMAZING

Bob explains waterfountain concept to Cass



Cass is in awe







City Center Fountain



View North on ICW..our marina on left



Public Park swings....very comfy



Tomorrow we hope to make it to Cocoa Beach but not certain......100 miles so depends on boat traffic and number of slow zones.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Day 4 - Miami to West Palm

We waved goodbye to Miami Beach and started into a longish day (6+ hours to travel 70 miles) on the ICW as there are so many miles of Slow Zones....well worth it to help the Manatee Protection efforts....

Miami Beach Marina

It was a nice trip full of huge homes and huge yachts....we motored through North Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Boca, Delray, Boyton Beach, and into Palm Beach.

Port of Ft Lauderdale - Fast boat to The Bahamas

Enjoying a sandbar on the ICW



For sale and recently reduced.....really



Can you say....GOLD COAST?

When Bob and I were on the ICW years ago in the sailboat around Venice Florida, we were always amazed at the old guys (mostly in SeaRays) who bombed along the ICW way too fast and seemed to think that they didn't have to obey speed limits.  Well, GUESS WHO HAS BECOME THE OLD GUY WHO FEELS HE IS ABOVE THE RULES!!!  We were yelled at by 4 different groups from shore during the course of the day...never mind my "encouraging" words inside the boat.  Capt Bob settled down and all was fine when we motored into Palm Harbor Marina about 330pm.

Palm Harbor Marina is right in downtown West Palm Beach.  There are great outdoor public spaces and loads of restaurants with nice outside seating....perfect for Cassie. 

We like it here so much we are staying a second night....

Day 3 - South Beach

Great weather in South Beach.  Cool enough at night to open windows and enjoy the cool breezes....no AC required.

Cassie had an amazing day playing with all the cool, South Beach dogs.  There is a dog play area...unfenced...right near the marina and along Government Channel.  Everyday, it is no-leash play time from sunrise - 9am and 5 - 7pm.  The dogs have a blast. 

No surprise today's pics are Cass at play.....

Tomorrow - West Palm Beach to hang out with the big yachts.   I hope we don't look like a bathtub toy.

Day 2 - Tavernier to Miami Beach



Great White Heron in upper Keys



It was another nice day on the ICW.  Not too long - just 5 hours - lots of beautiful mangroves.  On the downside, we encountered our first biting fly - swatter 1, flies 0.











We arrived at one of our favorite spots (okay, one of my favorite spots) in South Florida - South Beach -early afternoon.  There was a strong breeze in Biscayne Bay but Capt. Bob did a great job. 



South Miami Here We Come

We are staying two nights in Miami Beach Marina.  There are great areas for walking your dog, taking a stroll or riding your bike around here.  Lots to do to make up for sitting on the boat for two days.



Miami Beach Marina is just past and across Government Channel from the amazing Port of Miami. 

After a beautiful Miami sunset, we headed out for a great meal 22 Washington Ave - Symcha's.  Super food and Cass was a star falling asleep under Bob's chair.   

Tomorrow, romping at the leash free area of South Pointe Park - Cassie that is!

Day 1 - Key West to Tavernier (aka The Slog)

May 24, 2011

With one last wave to the beloved plants and home, we started off on our ICW adventure...Key West, FL to Cos Cob, CT in a 27' Shamrock Mackinaw......help!!

From Key West to Bahai Honda, it was a real slog in the Atlantic.  The East winds over the past week made a mess of things.  But, trusty Capt. Bob turned in to the ICW at the Bahai Honda bridge and all settled down.  Cassie and I enjoyed a nice stint of sitting out in the open aft part of the boat and watching the mangroves go by.

 

So, 3 hours of slogging and 3+ hours of ICW cruising.....not a bad day.

We are safely docked at Mangrove Marina - just across the Overseas Highway from our friend's happy pink, Tavernier Motel.  We had a great Cuban meal from a little Cuban cafe and I cannot wait for their Con Leche in the morning.




Old and new bridges - Bahai Honda





ICW - Upper Keys





Mangrove Marina



Tomorrow.....Miami's South Beach

Cassie finishes first novel