Wednesday 3/12 – Sunday 3/16
Upon leaving New Smyrna Beach, we end our trek on the Indian River and continue the ICW on the Halifax River towards our next destination of Daytona Beach. We tie up Puffin at the Seven Seas Marina (Mile 835) and a short walk brings us to the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach where vehicles and college students(spring break) populate the beach. The next morning, Puffin once again takes on a long journey along the Halifax River followed by the Mantanzas River until we arrive at St Augustine late that afternoon. At first, we anchor near Oyster Creek Marina up the San Sebastian River which runs along the western side of the city, but soon we learn from a fellow boater that our location might not be the ideal location as the local commercial boats transit the narrow waterway at all times of the night, so off we go back to the ICW and decide to anchor along the city waterfront north of the Bridge of Lyons Bridge (Mile 777). We call it a day and relax and enjoy the sight and sounds of the city from our watery perspective. The excitement of exploring this oldest occupied European settlement in the United States has us deploying the dinghy and heading for shore this morning. We really enjoy checking out the historic district especially the fort of Castillo de San Marcos. Strong winds are predicted for Saturday so we move Puffin to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, conveniently located next to the heart of the historic district. We observe the annual blessing of the fleet on Sunday where vessels can parade by the religious grandstand located at our marina to be blessed with Holy water to insure the safety of the fleet and traditionally to insure a fair catch of seafood for the fleet. Later that afternoon, we depart St. Augustine, heading north on the Tolomato River of the ICW until we arrive at a suitable anchorage along a creek off of Pine Island.

Approaching Dayona Beach

Daytona Beach Scenes

Decorated Daytona Beach Bridge

Along The Way To St. Augusine

St.Augustine City Lights

Facts Anyone?

Entrance To The City

City Scenes

Schools Out !

Need A Cure-All ?

Alcazar Hotel

Castillo de Las Marcos

Royce On Guard

Blessing Of The Fleet