WEDNESDAY 11/7/2012 ST. AUGUSTINE TO NEW SMYRNA BEACH

61 NM

The landscape has changed drastically from the low country we saw in South Carolina and Georgia to canals lined with personal docks and condos filled with sun seekers.  We have seen everything from trailer parks to mansions today.

DOCK AFTER DOCK AFTER DOCK AFTER DOCK

Well, we are back in that section of the ICW that is wealthy with bridges, some posing no issues at 65’ and some needing to be opened to allow our continued passage.   Today we needed five bridges to open for us.  At the L.B. Knox Bridge, located south of Flagler Beach and north of Ormond-by the-Sea, we followed Runaround Sue and pretty much stayed with her most of the day.

FOLLOWING RUNAROUND SUE THROUGH THE
L.B.KNOX BRIDGE OPENING

YEP, EVEN WITH THE 4 EXTRA FEET IN THE CENTER
WE STILL NEEDED THIS BRIDGE TO OPEN FOR QUEST

DROPPING THE ANCHOR

 

 

Tonight’s destination was an anchorage on Sheephead Cut at New Smyrna Beach.  After setting the anchor we took off in the con-Quest for a little exploration of the area.  We found all the marinas and the New Smyrna Yacht Club, checked out their boats and looked for manatee.  No luck on that front but we will continue our search.

HOME FOR THE NIGHT

 

New Smyrna was settled in 1768 when Scottish physician, Dr. Andrew Turnbell, transplanted 15000 settlers from Smyrna, Crete, Minorca, Majorca, Ibez and Sicily to these shores to grow hemp, sugarcane and indigo.  Mr. Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railroad brought a steady influx of people in the late 1800s and Prohibition found the river islands populated with moonshine stills and provided hideouts for the rum-runners from the Bahamas.

We enjoyed the peaceful night on-the-hook with Dan barbecuing steaks and toasted Richard and Charlene on their 42ed anniversary. 

SUNSET OVER NEW SMYRNA BEACH