April 1, Day 280 – In Cocoa Beach

After breakfast we did a few chores, got cleaned up and then jumped in the dinghy and headed for town. Cocoa is a cute little town with lots of shops and restaurants. It was fun strolling through the streets and browsing in the shops. After awhile we decided to catch the bus and go to the other side of town – the not-so-cute side with the West Marine, the Wal-Mart, the mall, etc. We were on a mission to get pajamas for a pajama party we are going to at the rendezvous in St. Augustine. We were able to get the appropriate attire, plus Gerry picked up another fishing reel. We rode the bus part way back (to the West Marine), did a little shopping there and then walked the rest of the way back into Cocoa. We grabbed a late lunch at a new little place in town, Lea’s Bistro. The food was very good.

Our last stop of the day was the S. F. Travis Company hardware store. This place has been around forever and is huge – two big buildings, including an upstairs area. It is definitely not glitzy but has rows and rows of things piled all the way to the ceiling. All the cruising guides call in a “must visit” place. Linda did a quick walk through and then browsed more of the little shops while Gerry spent awhile in the hardware store.

Back at the boat we enjoyed the perfect weather. Linda sat on the flybridge and read while Gerry worked with his new fishing reel and fixed the BBQ grill. It was a picture perfect evening – slight breeze and temps in the 70’s. We could take a couple more months of this type of weather.

One of the boats next to us has a couple of cats on board. They were playing on the dinghy this morning.
A shot of the dinghy dock and boardwalk

Some sidewalk ornaments

A shot of Myrt Tharpe Square

I haven't had much luck finding natural seaglass this whole trip -- only glass already made into jewelry.

Mural painted on the wall -- recognize anyone???

How about here???

A shot looking down mainstreet

On our walk back from West Marine we walked past a fish market/restaurant -- nice crab!!

This stately heron was peaking out over the railing

A shot along the river's edge

While crossing the bridge I snapped this picture of the park and boardwalk .... and the anchorage in the distance.

The Intercoastal on a lovely spring day. You can see the wakes of the boats in the distance.

A shot of the anchorage -- Monk's Vineyard and Second Star are in the middle of the picture.

An interesting bird -- but not sure what kind.

A fountain in the park was a great draw for all the kids today.

This was some "stuff" in the hardware store -- told you stuff was stacked all the way to the ceiling.

A quiet little corner down an alley

... and sunset tonight -- pretty much a repeat of last night