Saturday, April 5, 2014 – 5 PM – Leg 5/Day 6 of The Great Loop – 37.6 Miles

Same weather as the last few days, a good breeze but coming across the starboard side today. Had to keep a good 5 degrees above the desired heading to stay on course. The traffic was a little busier than the weekdays have been but nothing that was overwhelming. Powerboats zoom by me by 2-3 an hour and meeting 4-5 oncoming at the same time. As long as everybody stays alert, everyone gets home safely.

The buildings are much thinner now and it is starting to take on the appearance of what the imagined Northern Florida ICW will be like. The marinas are getting fewer but still not far enough away that anyone would ever worry. The towing insurance is all paid up and that gives great peace of mind, but as I approached Titusville it all got congested again and being alert was a top priority.

From this mooring, the edge of the airport that services Cape Canaveral can be seen. In other words, this is the very place that ushered in the American Space Program. From this area, the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs have all had their home. On the next go around, I am going to make it a point to do some sightseeing here. I am fortunate to have lived in the time we first went to outer space and touched the surface of the moon. There is still a tremendous measure of awe for those accomplishments and in the bigger picture, just how small we are in this universe. Yet, here I am on the greatest adventure of my life other than being a dad.

Preston called and said he was going to have to work on Sunday for the morning, but they would love to come out for the evening tomorrow night and then take Monday and Tuesday off so we could all go out on the ocean for the night. Looks like Jessica and Colin will ride with me up to New Smyrna and Preston will drive up after work. He'll be there mid-afternoon so we will still have time to head out offshore. The plan was to take a couple of days easy this week so after they head back, a quick trip up to Daytona and then to relax a couple of days will be on the docket. By Preston driving up to New Smyrna there won't be any need to backtrack and dropping them off on Tuesday will leave ample time to finish the leg while they drive home.

Preston will be calling shortly to meet him up by the Public ramps. There is mooring right here across from the marina so we will do that tonight, bring Preston back in the morning while the rest of us make the run to New Smyrna. We'll pick him up there and head offshore for two nights. He said he'll supply the steaks and shrimp if I supply the floatation device. I've already picked up all the other stuff we might need and gassed up. Sure wish I had the mast on so we could get some sailing in, but we'll have to do with my wizbang engine.

Enjoy life my dear hearts, I missed so much life by being a knucklehead. By the grace of God, I hope you have learned from my mistakes. Live life full and love life fully.