Blue Heaven the Wild Life Magnet

After Marineland we moved on to Daytona and went into Halifax Marina to fill our one empty tank with fuel. We then went across the ICW from Halifax and anchored. That night after dark, Al said, “Arleen, I think there is an owl on our boat.” Now you have to realize we were not in a remote area. There were homes and condos and commercial buildings all around us. Then I heard the hooting that Al heard. We went out to our cockpit and looked up, and sure enough there was this huge owl sitting on our spreader, hooting away! We could see his pointed ears sticking up and his head turning once in a while to look at us. I said to Al that no one will believe us, so I had to get a picture somehow.

An owl on Blue Heaven in Daytona!

So he got out his spot light and I had my camera aimed where I thought it should be. All I could see was black in my screen. He turned on the spot, I got two pictures off before he left us a gift on the deck and flew away! Well, it isn't the best picture, but you can see enough to determine it was an owl!

The next day we motored past Titusville and went through the Addison drawbridge which was having difficulty with one it's spans. Luckily, we could still get through on one side. 

One span down at the Addison Bridge.

Two cruisers we knew from past years pulled into the anchorage, Bristol Cream and Kozy Katy (a Kadey Krogen)with Tom Larimer who used to have a catamaran called Suncat.

We moved onto Cocoa where quite a few of cruisers we have known or met earlier this trip were anchored. Al and I went into town. We missed Cocoa on our last trip so it has been 4 years since we have been there. 

Cocoa Village

 Cocoa Village is a cute area. 

Cocoa waterfront including Ryan's with umbrellas.

We have seen positive changes with more shops and our favorite pizza restaurant, Ryan”s, moved and has a wonderful deck that looks out over the park and harbor. The cruisers met for happy hour on the deck and as usual a good time was had by all. Some of us chose to stay for pizza and others went for Thai food at a good Thai restaurant nearby.

We stayed another day, so Maryann from Cavu and I met Laurie from Kismet in town to shop for the morning. We enjoyed looking at a variety of stores but then we hit a jackpot at the New Look Boutique. They were having a 50% off sale on summer items, exactly what we wanted. Ron and Al finally called us to have lunch at Ryan's so we met them there. 

Al and I enjoying lunch with Ron and Maryann from Cavu at Ryan's.

Afterwards, we decided we wanted to take the bus out to Cocoa Beach to see what it was like. We did not realize how far it was. It was seven miles to the beach. We learned from the ride that if any major store was needed like Walmart, Harbor Freight, Macy's, Publix etc., it could be found over there. The beach was a nice wide beach 

Cocoa Beach

with a life guard available. 

Nice clean wide beach.

The water was very warm which we waded through as we walked the beach. Not too many people in the water probably because a girl had been bitten by a shark here about a week ago.

When we got back to our boat, there was this fish caught on our ladder. It was still alive. It had a hook in it's mouth and some fishing line flowing behind which somehow got twisted around our ladder.

The fish that caught us!

 We should have kept it because after Al released it, we looked it up to be a type of grouper and supposedly good eating! Al cannot catch good eating fish but the boat can!!!!

The next day we moved on to Vero Beach where we are on a mooring with Cavu.. We will be here for the next two weeks. It feels good to be in one place for a while. On Saturday,we ladies walked to enjoy the Farmer's Market which has everything from fruits and veggies to wooden works of art. Back at the boat we took care of some chores and talked to some more cruisers whom we know from past trips that had just come in.

Being Sunday, Maryann and I walked to church. After lunch, Al and I heard live music playing so we went to find out where it was coming from. We did not have to go too far, just to the dog park next to the marina. They were having a special event called “Dogs and Brew.” If you had a dog and lived in this area this was the place to be.

Here is a cutey!

 All sorts of dogs and their masters were there.  From cute, to well, somewhat cute.

 Mr. Bloodhound

 






They had agility competition, and something that was like a shuttle on a stringed path. The dogs would run after the shuttle(rabbit)  and try to catch it. It was fun to watch. 

 Chasing the rabbit around the course.

This dog rode a skateboard for his trick!

They had the best dressed, best trick and best tail wagging contests. There was a lot of dog sniffing going on but surprising calm for the most part. The people enjoyed the food and beer stands throughout the day. It was free entertainment so why not? However, still my favorite dogs are on a boat called Cygnus with two dogs named Jib and Spinnaker. I don't know which one this is, but I just love his expressions.

Jib or Spinnaker on Cygnus.

We are here until after Thanksgiving. It is nice to stay in one spot for awhile. We are seeing lots of friends which is always nice. We are enjoying the parks for walking and the restaurants. 

Ron and Maryann following us to Riverside Cafe for dinner.

 

The view on the way back to our boats.

Al is also getting some repairs done on the engine while here. We will be finishing our stocking of the boat so that after Thanksgiving we will head to the Miami area to get ready for the crossing when the weather window opens.

Have a great Thanksgiving!  We will be sharing it with about 100 other cruisers.