Titusville to Daytona

We've been back aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic, since April after a long 18 months on the hard. Technically, we are back on the Loop; however, we've been exploring central Florida for two months instead of heading north toward home. We've had a lot of fun-filled adventures, but it's time to move on! Our Loop route begins once again when we get back to St Augustine. We haven't made it beyond there yet.

We cast our lines in Titusville the morning of June 1st and headed north. Mike & Mary aboard Rough Draft waved goodbye and wished us safe travels. As we passed the fuel dock on pier D, I heard tiny voices yelling goodbye. It was Hannah, Dan, Atticus & Yael at the end of pier E. They'd been by to visit us earlier and promised to watch for our departure. I was securing lines and fenders when I heard them; that's when I started to cry. It is bittersweet leaving a port that we've stayed in for any amount of time. We say goodbye to people who have become a part of our community, never sure when we will meet again. We're going to miss our Titusville friends!

Atticus being silly

Atticus and Yael aboard Mystic

Yael exploring Mystic

Dan, Hannah, Atticus and Yael waving goodbye,
the Catamaran in the center of the photo is their home

A little closer view of Dock E

As we left the Titusville marina and passed the park with the statue of King Neptune, a man shouted to us, "Have a wonderful day Captain. King Neptune is on your side and wishes you safe travels." This was, by far, our greatest sendoff!

King Neptune

We dodged t-storms all morning. They caught us in New Smyrna, lashing us with lightening, thunder, huge winds and pelting rain. We had to wait for the bascule bridge in New Smyrna to open, making several loops back and forth in front of the bridge. The waterway is busy and everyone is hightailing it back to the marina to get out of the rain. When we face the storm, visibility is near zero. Mystic is a solid vessel. She handles everything far better than we do.

Storms ahead

King Neptune showed his support by flashing lightening from the blue side of the sky throughout the day. We'd never seen that before but knew it was an omen of what was to come. Once the storm was over us, it consumed us. I cried during the worst of it. The wind was whipping our sun awning so hard that we thought it would tear! In my attempt to tie it tighter I had to stand outside the safety of the cockpit, exposed to the storm. A huge bolt of lightening flashed right in front of me. When the thunder boom arrived, I screamed, first because it scared the crap out of me, then out of utter frustration. Dave, at least, tried to hide his giggle! We were drenched to our core. After the storm, we managed a grin and made our way to our anchorage under kinder skies.

We always manage a smile after the storms

We spent the night anchored in Daytona. The clouds drifted away and we enjoyed a beautiful cool and dry evening without bugs, allowing us to leave our hatch open all night. Sitting at anchor, watching the sun set, we couldn't help thinking; life is funny, unpredictable, and wonderful!

Dave called it our christening. Day 1, Chapter 2. We're back!