April 7, Day 286 – Daytona Beach to Palm Coast

We pulled up the anchor and headed out around 10:00 this morning. Our destination was Palm Coast, about 25 miles away. We had received an invitation to stay at the dock of a friend of the previous owners of our boat (Bill and Ruth of Integrity). They live on the canal system in Palm Coast. We graciously accepted the offer.

We passed under 8 bridges today, 3 of which needed to be opened for us. All in all, it was a pretty easy trip and the weather was, once again, perfect.

There are several canals off the Intercoastal in Palm Coast and we had received instructions on how to reach the dock. However, as we entered, we found it was quite shallow. We slowly made our way in, but as we tried to dock, we ran aground. Since Second Star draws a foot less than Monk’s Vineyard, we backed off and had them pull into the dock; then we rafted up to them – that gave us an extra foot.

The accommodations here are fantastic. The owners are not at home, but we have use of the dock and access to their lanai and pool. After getting settled in we all sat around the pool reading and relaxing. Later in the afternoon we took a dinghy ride around the canals checking out all the homes. There were several for sale – humm – a winter home in Florida??

Our first bridge of the day was the Memorial Bridge

Next up was the International Speedway Bridge -- It's a very fancy bridge. Notice the mosaic work on all the bridge supports

This is the bridge where we tied the dinghy up yesterday. The cement wall next to the bridge (center of picture) is where we docked.

Next came the Main Street Bridge

We passed the Starlite Princess -- a tour boat

At the next bridge, the Seabreeze, we noticed a boat aground

Someone definitely lived on this boat -- and it looked like it was laundry day with everything hung out to dry

Many of the houses along this part of the Intercoastal are built on narrow strips of land and so they are narrow, but long. We thought this was two houses, but it was actually just one long house.

Unfortunately we have left behind the beautiful blue water. Kind of looks like coffee here.

Our next bridge was the L. B. Knox -- another one that needed to open to let us though

Next was the Flager Beach Bridge -- a fairly new bridge. Lots of fishermen trying their luck

We passed by a marina that had some colorful houseboats at the docks

Our last bridge of the day was the Palm Coast Parkway

A shot of Second Star beside us as we passed the Ginn Hammock Resort and Marina. Looked very nice, but the marina was basically empty.

Heading down the canal on our way to our dock for tonight

... and here's our home for the next 2 nights

Here's a shot of the house that goes with the dock

..... and the lanai (very nice)

A shot of the pool and the boats at the dock

A shot of Second Star and Monk's Vineyard at the dock