We cast off lines from our dock at Manatee Cove Marina at 1105 this morning (Thursday) and by 1400 had transited the Banana River north to the Canaveral Barge Canal and across the Canal to the Indian River Lagoon. About 1840 we anchored for the night in Mosquito Lagoon about three miles north of the Haulover Canal, between Titusville and New Smyrna. We’re in a rather exposed area and the wind has picked up, again, to around 12 knots; not a bad anchorage nor too windy, and we’re just about 300 yards off the ICW in eight feet of water.

While we were eating dinner topside (at our new eucalyptus table and chairs) we noticed that the pine forest about 1/2 mile to our west was burning. ‘Tis forest fire season in Florida, with dry easterly winds to fan the flames. We tried to call someone to report the fire but after contacting the Fish and Wildlife Commission and being transferred to the Forestry Division, the call was routed to an operator who evidently was out for dinner!

Tomorrow night we’ll be in Daytona or a bit beyond depending on what time we get underway in the morning.

The weather today was beautiful with temps in the low 80s, sunny skies, and a constant breeze out of the east.