Sunday, April 6, 2014 – 9 PM – Leg 6/Part 1/Day 7of The Great Loop – 42.7 Miles

Everything went according to plan. Preston and the family arrived shortly after finishing the charting last night and the tender was dispatched to pick them up. They brought pizza which was a nice change of pace. There is nothing like pan-fried fish and good BBQ, but a good pizza every now and again is awesome, even if the resulting heartburn has to be relieved with some pepsid and tums.

We enjoyed a full evening together and then called it a night. In the morning, everything was made ready and Preston departed for his work and Jesse, Colin and I cast off around 7 AM. It took about 4 hours to motor up to New Smyrna. Colin was fascinated with driving and he loved being up in the captain's chair. Jess and I kept an eye on him, but for a while there; he held the course steady and did a great job of keeping an eye on the instruments and markers. He'd shout out the depth every so often and he steered perfectly down the right of center in the marked channel.

We picked up Preston at the marina after only waiting about 30 minutes in New Smyrna and headed out the Ponce-de-Leon inlet about 10 miles due East and anchored in 70 feet of water. We all took a swim and enjoyed steaks, potatoes, and asparagus for dinner. Preston took the helm right after we hit the ocean and looked every bit the captain with the wind blowing in his face and his sunglasses.

It was sunny and warm and fairly calm all day and it looks to be the same tomorrow. It's great to be with them and to get to share a little time together with them all.

Lord, thank you for the blessings of family and the freedom we enjoy here. Keep all my loves in the heart of Your lovingkindness tonight and let them know that they are always on my mind.