Recharging...

Nothing like an early barefoot run on the beach to recharge you and make you wonder what life's really about... Which we've been doing a lot of lately. 

So glad we decided to start slowing down on our travels a bit.  It nice being able to spend a few days relaxing, fishing and getting some proper work outs in.  We've been walking, a lot, and I've been doing yoga in the mornings, but it doesn't make you feel as good as a real good run does; was starting to really miss it.

This afternoon will consist of hanging on the boat, working on the tan and casting lines.

Happy Friday everyone!!

-Chels

Vero Beach...

Testing the water...

Too cold...

Early this morning we packed some food and our books and headed straight for the beach where we spent the entire morning lounging by the water.  This is what I'm talking about.  The water was a tad cold to swim, but we got some much needed vitamin D:)

So last night was awesome.  We had proper showers, got all dolled up and went for dinner at a bar/restaurant right down by the water.  There was a guy with his guitar hammering out some pretty good country tunes.  Things were good.  Then these 2 seemingly random guys take the stage with their guitars and start doing some old covers; Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, that sort of thing, and they are awesome, unbelievable actually.  As they should be, because it turns out it was Jake Owen and Scotty Emerick.  Vero Beach is their hometown and since they were home for the holidays they decided to show up at their favorite spot and put on a show for the few lucky people who happened to be there.  Jake Owen ended the night singing a few of his own songs, even my particular favorite 'Anywhere with you'.  Pretty sure he just played it to quiet the drunk girl in the front row who kept yelling, "PLAY ANYWHERE WITH YOU!!!!"  Which definitely wasn't me by the way;)

-Chels

Dolphins...

We saw them from a distance, they seemed really excited then they took off and started coming towards our boat, real fast.

Coming to check us out! So cute!

It was awesome.  I love them.  

The view from our anchorage.

I think we will be staying in Vero Beach for a few days.  It looks sick and the weather looks amazing.  Maybe hit up the beach tomorrow:)

-Chels

New Smyrna Beach to Cocoa

Leaving New Smyrna Beach this morning.  Anchored in this cute little town last night.  Didn't do much, hung out at the library for a few hours (?) I like libraries, plus free Wifi.  At the moment we only have Erik's phone as an internet source, so sometimes it's nice to sit in front of our actual laptops, and sometimes it's actually necessary. Why don't we use Erik's phone as a tether you ask? Because the cell phone provider, Net10, doesn't allow it. 

Anyways, we also managed to catch the first period of the Sens game at this little bar down the street.

Blue Heron.

We've come across quite a few boats along the way that have been in similar circumstances.  It always makes me sad.  Somewhere along the way a dream must have died.

View from above.  On the death trap.   Pretty view though.

We anchored just off the city of Cocoa  this afternoon and decided to head into the town to grab a few things.  It was a bit of a hike across this bridge, no big deal, we dingy over and start making our way towards the bridge.  Little did we know that for the next 15 minutes we would be inches away from death.  I'm not sure if it was the 65ft drop to my right, or the constant stream of cars whipping by us at 100 miles an hour a mere 5ft to my left that got to me.  Probably a little of column A, little of column B.  At one point    Erik smirked over his shoulder, "Let's try not to die, okay?".  Yeah, thanks tips. We made it across but I could barely enjoy myself while exploring the town, knowing that the death trap was waiting for us to tempt fate a second time.  Anyways, we made it back across, but that little episode definitely rivals for one of the scariest situations so far on this trip.

Tomorrow we are taking off for Vero Beach.

-Chels

Matanzas Inlet

Fort Matanzas; built by the Spanish in 1740.  This fort is on the banks of our anchorage.

It poured rain all morning so we didn't leave St. Augustine until 12:30pm.  That was okay though, we sailed 15 nautical miles to this gorgeous little inlet.  We were here with plenty of daylight to dingy over to the beach and hang out for a few hours. 

- Chels

St. Augustine...

After a 2 mile hike early this morning to get provisions; this pretty much characterizes the rest of our day.  During these excursions we are pretty much Sherpas/Pack Mules. The way in is fine, but the way back with an extra 30 or 40lbs in your backpack makes you want to lie down in the street and never get up.

All smiles heading into town...

Castillo de San Marcos; construction on this fortress began in 1672, and was finished a few years later.

And that was the end of our picture taking.  Too many 'walk-arounders'. We should have known better than to enter such a touristy town on a Saturday.

Just going to throw 2 little stories out there;  just take them as you will.

#1

At the grocery store this morning we had about, oh I don't know, maybe 20 or 30 items in our cart, nothing crazy, store was dead, accidentally pulled up to the '10 items or less' cash, unloaded most of our purchases when the cashier informed us this was the '10 items or less cash'.  I said I hadn't realized, looked behind me, there was no one, so kept unloading.  Then she said, "Excuse me miss, but you'll have to go to another cash, this is '10 items or less' cash." She was serious.  So we stood in the next line for 10 minutes as not a single soul showed up at her cash. Does this actually happen in real life?

#2

We were touring around the town when we got a little thirsty so headed up to this old mill style tavern, live music, got a little  (I mean really small) table right up front.  Things were good, had been there for about 2 hours when a waitress (not even ours) asked if we were using the 2 extra stools, we said of course not, have at 'em.  So instead of taking them, she brings over 2 other people and sits them at our table.  Wtf is going on here? These randoms are so close to us they're breathing into our drinks. Don't get me wrong, we're small town rough around the edges sort of people, but this is getting out of control. 

We've been loving Florida so far, but these over populated tourist deals are not for us. We ended up beating it back to boat to rant and rave about how sorry we felt for each other. 

-Chels

Sailing to St. Augustine

Coming into St. Augustine...

Sweet looking ship...

View from the boat...

Wow.  St. Augustine is an incredible town.  We got here around 5pm so we haven't checked it out too extensively but we like what we see.  So much history.  Most places we've stopped have been pretty quiet, but St. Augustine is alive, lots going on and people everywhere.  We sat down for happy hour at a very happening pizza joint; the place was packed, live music on the patio, 2 for 1 drinks and a free slice of pizza. Can't beat that.

Anyways, we'll be hanging out here tomorrow as well.  I'll try and get some good pics of the town.

-Chels