We started our Great Loop, late as always at 8:33 AM, heading up the Indian River to the Ft. Pierce Inlet, one of the safest and best passages between the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) and the Atlantic Ocean. The conditions were calm and we were able to make a 130 mile run north on the Atlantic. We passed east of Cape Canaveral where the NASA structures made an impressive sight along the coastline and hopefully someday will be used again for manned space flight.
Approaching New Smyrna Beach we nearly ran over a kayaker, who was at least a quarter mile offshore and was not wearing any bright clothing. Even in calm seas people seem small and are hard to see on the big ocean, fortunately we missed him.
Spring break is in full swing and the beaches are full of kids and cars (Daytona is just north of here). Kathy sees similarities to spring break in the 70's........ hmmm.
New Smyrna Beach was founded as a plantation by a Scotsman named Andrew Turnbull in 1763. Safe to say it was no spring break for the settlers, as in 1777 Turnbull left them to their own devices as the war and lack of supplies made life nearly impossible.
Today it is a (slightly) off the beaten path art colony and well preserved small town adjacent to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
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