We're back!

Here is a manatee-decorated bridge just north of Daytona.

We're back on Aunt Aggie!  Yesterday Karen Higginbotham, a good friend from Atlanta, drove George and me to Daytona.  We arrived in the late afternoon and unloaded a van full of computers, clothes, and wine.  Then we walked to eat seafood at the Fresh Seafood Market.  Karen went to visit her brother in Jacksonville after dinner.  We are so grateful to her for giving us her day and transportation.

It was really time to get back on the boat.  We've been visiting children, grandchildren, more family, and friends for a month in Atlanta, Dublin, Greenville, and San Francisco. We had a fun time with everyone.  Life is relaxing as a grandparent and retired person.  Aunt Aggie seemed far away.  

The boat felt like home as we settled in.  We were feeling quite cozy and happy to be back. George was filing, and I was unpacking clothes.  Then I turned on the faucet to get a drink of water.  Nothing. We checked the water tank:  It was half full.  The water pump was not working.  Arghh!  Of course, darkness was falling.  We located and checked the pump and could not see a reason for the lack of water.  We went to the restrooms nearby and took showers before the rains came.  Still, it was a bit of a downer.  (Today we called Edsel, a mechanic in Palm Coast, who promised to deliver a new pump and install it this afternoon.)  

The sun came out at 7:00 am, and we left Daytona, headed north.  We hope to go about 30 miles each day and arrive in Savannah in a week.  It was fun to be moving this morning.  We saw some interesting sights on the ICW.  

This is Tutahaco, a large harbor tug commissioned into the Navy in 1945. It served in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean for almost 30 years.  Now lying on the ICW north of Daytona.

We also drove by miles of state park lands and saw white egrets in the marshes.  Lovely.  The clouds gathered and dissipated throughout the morning.  One highlight in the day was passing Bama Dream, a looper boat, anchored just outside Daytona.  George called Jessie, who reported that they had cinnamon rolls in the oven.  After George said where we were headed, Jessie and Linda decided to join us at Palm Coast Marina.  

This is the mast of an abandoned sailboat, sticking out.  We drove by several 

dilapidated boats today.  This is one reason Florida is considering anti-anchoring laws.

After meeting with Edsel and having a sandwich for lunch, we went for a good walk with Linda and Jessie.  We almost made it back to the marina before a huge storm hit.  We all got soaked, but at least we did get some exercise.  We will go out later for dinner with them too, after the rain stops.  So great to see them and hear their stories of going to the Bahamas.  

It's fun to meet looper friends along the way.