Titusville to Jacksonville

A stunning sunrise is our reward for an early start from the Titusville Marina as we head north to Daytona Beach!

 

 

 

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is Florida's tallest lighthouse. 

Ten miles south of Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet was first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513.

 

 

 

BRRRRrrrrr.....!!   If you wait long enough . . . . . . . . 

 

. . . . . . . . the weather will change !!!

What a difference two days can make!

 

 

 

 

We felt so pampered at the exquisite Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach.

 

 

 

 

The seagulls on these empty docks watched us pull in before we were greeted by the helpful, friendly marina staff.

 

 

 

 

First we heard them . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

and then we saw them . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

. . . . . . LOTS of them!  It was "Biker's Week " in Daytona!

 

 

 

 

The Captain thought this Harley would look good on Spiritus but decided there's no room unless we pitch the dinghy!

 

 

 

 

Daytona has more than its share of bridges and Spiritus proudly went under or through them all.

 

 

 

 

This was a first!  Beautiful  mosaic tiles on the pilings of this Daytona bridge provides art work that can only be viewed from a boat.

 

 

 

 

Cruising by the St. Augustine Lighthouse . . . . . . 

 

 

 

  

. . . . . . means America's oldest town can soon be seen from the water's edge!

 

 

 

 

We walked around historic St. Augustine and were "awed" by the old world, European-style architecture.  This was originally the Ponce de Leon Hotel.

 

 

 

 

Henry Flager built the palatial "Ponce de Leon Hotel" which, in 1968, was turned into the home of Flagler College.

 

 

 

 

Henry Flagler built this magnificent Presbyterian Church in honor of his daughter, who died tragically.  He and his loved ones are buried in the adjacent mausoleum.

 

 

 

 

Another early start as we depart St. Augustine .... Linda has never seen so many sunrises!!

 

 

 

 

We were surprised to discover the vast, serene marshland north of St. Augustine as we cruised towards Jacksonville.

 

 

 

 

The Captain skillfully navigates Spiritus through the Jacksonville industrial, metropolitan port.

 

 

 

 

The Jacksonville skyline boasts mammoth skyscrapers, interspersed with attractive riverside parks.

It is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars National Football Team & we did a cheer as we passed their field.

 

 

 

Downtown Jacksonville on the St. Johns River has something for everyone!

 

 

 

 

 Spiritus made it safely to her slip at the sublime "Marina at Ortega Landing".

 

 

 

 

And Spiritus' crew is grateful to have a pool and hot tub to indulge in after a l-o-n-g day of cruising!

 

 

 

 

Spiritus' crew will be taking an intermission while we take care of some "necessary business".

Stay well, stay safe, and stay tuned!