Palm Coast Florida

We took our time getting started in Daytona the morning after our intense experience in New Smyrna. The Municipal Marina is very nice; the docks are gated. The showers and bathroom are clean. It is expensive though, and does not offer discounts. We were ready to head North by 10:00 but had to swing by the fuel dock to hand off our bathroom keys. The Marina office is really far from the docks so they have a routine that includes making a cruise past while a dock hand reaches out with a fish net. We dropped our keys into the net and off we went. It worked pretty slick!

We are feeling timid about the water depths today, anxious about shoaling. Dave did his homework last night though. We were moving at high tide and had a list of all the shallow spots along our route. The trip to Palm Cove was easy. The waterway was less busy and the water was calm. I was a wreck (it's my job to worry), so Dave navigated while I kept an eye on MX Mariner on his phone. We pulled into Palm Coast Marina right at 3:00. Our friends Al and Lora Robarge Feldman have a condo along the ICW. I graduated from High School with Lora. We are excited to reconnect with them.

Going under a bridge

Two High Bridges Near Daytona

Passing Flagler Beach

Patriotic Dock

Princess Bench on the ICW

Our first view of Palm Coast Marina

Netting on the river

Lora recommended that we make our way to the European Village for the Farmer's Market if we got in before 4:00. We quickly paid for our slip then walked to the Village which reminded us of Disney only on a much smaller scale. The farmer's market was in the middle of a courtyard that is surrounded by multi-story condos and businesses. We purchased a few things then stopped in at Farley's Irish Pub for a cold beer.

We walked back to Mystic and unloaded the bikes. We needed a trip to Publix to reprovision. It was a good three mile ride and the sky clouded over just as we were on our way back. The summer storms in Florida pop up quickly and can be intense. We barely made it back to the boat before the sky opened up.

We had plans to meet Lora and Al for dinner and drinks but really needed a quick shower. By the time we were done, the rain was coming down stronger than the shower had. We were stuck under the Marina awning until it lightened up. Al and Lora met us at the boat. We went to the Brass Tap and had a wonderful time catching up. We plan to leave tomorrow to bring Mystic to St. Augustine for haul out. We had planned to return to Indiantown Marina for haul out but changed our minds after two weeks of moving north. We have more high school friends to visit in St. Augustine. Lora and Al promised to try to meet up again there.

Beth & Lora with Mystic

Beth & Lora, Palm Coast, Florida

We traveled almost 30 miles in less than four hours today. There was no drama, no shallow water, no real stress. Some days are better than others! This was one of the good ones!