St. Augustine to Fort Pierce | 26.4 Hours | 167 Miles
Our world was rocked just after 5:30 am as a monstrous wake rolled through the (no wake zone) mooring field. We went through several cycles of rocking and rolling until the water calmed. Neither one of us really fell back asleep before dawn broke over Mantanzas Bay. At the first sign of light, I peeked out the master port and was very glad to see no fog. Luck was once again with us as slack current coincided with our departure. We effortlessly released our mooring lines and exited through the mooring field and beside the pretty red sailboat. The Bridge of Lions was already opening as we approached and we cruised right through it toward the incredibly calm inlet.
Once out in the Atlantic we made a right turn and headed south. From this position we were able to view the entire length of the candy-striped lighthouse. We couldn't have asked for better travel conditions. The ocean was almost flat -- long period, low swells provided a soothing motion. Feathery clouds moved across the horizon, adding interest yet not obscuring the sun. Large pods of dolphin were out having breakfast. They were beating the surface of the water with their fins and flukes. Gulls and cormorants gathered in the same area to pick up some of the leftovers. There were plenty of pelicans which both floated in and glided inches above the water. We even spotted one turtle, for bonus points.
In the haze of mid-day we spotted a bright red "marker" to our east. Upon further inspection, we discovered it was a balloon -- 12 miles offshore. We just had to divert and go rescue it. Barry maneuvered Crossroads close and I picked up the "Happy Birthday" helium-filled mylar balloon with the boat hook. We were feeling pretty good about that successful rescue mission. A few miles later we spotted an even larger cluster and repeated the sequence to reel in an additional seven balloons (both mylar and latex). This bunch was exceptionally dangerous for wildlife. The blue mylar balloon had lost most of its color, rendering it clear. It was also filled with water to make it look just like a turtle's favorite food, a Portuguese Man O'War. Please don't release your balloons.
I took my chair out to Fiberglass Beach and read for a while. We were the only boat out there except for a catamaran insisting on sailing in 4 knots of breeze on the nose. It was traveling at turtle-like 2.6 knots and still may not be to their destination. We passed Daytona Beach at 4:00 pm. The sunset was pretty basic at the horizon, but the clouds put on a show. My watch from 6:00-9:00 was uneventful.
As we approached Cape Canaveral on Barry's watch the ride became slower and bumpier as we felt the effect of the northbound Gulf Stream. With a bit of throttle and a heading change back to the southwest the ride smoothed. By the time I got off on watch at 3:00 am, all was good. The sky was clear and the stars were bright. The half moon had set to the west. I was then able to get a little sleep. I was back on watch at 6:00 am and kept a lookout as the eastern horizon began to lighten. The sun rose dramatically through the multiple levels of a low cloud bank.
I snuck in another quick snooze and when I woke up we were almost to Fort Pierce. Oceanfront development appeared like piles of Legos stacked in the sand. The water was noticeably bluer. The temperature was significantly warmer. As we entered Fort Pierce Inlet our friend Richard greeted us with a wave and captured a nice shot of Crossroads. We topped off with 225 gallons of diesel before heading to our slip. I enjoyed a glorious afternoon on Fiberglass Beach with a new book while also trying to catch up on my tan.
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