Rhythm of the Waterway

After weeks of being away from the rat race and living the ICW lifestyle, I have learned there is a rhythm to the waterway. Each night I review the charts and guidebooks to see what the next day has in store for me. Each morning I review the options and pick one or more to be the day's destination (it usually changes anyway). Then it's coffee, breakfast, engine maintenance and then shoving off the dock or raising anchor. After a long day of motoring it's time to drop the anchor, enjoy happy hour, make dinner and then start the process over by reviewing what is ahead.

During the day one simply enjoys the scenery, marvels at the wildlife and feels whatever the weather has to offer. It is great to feel the chill when the cold wind blows, to feel the warmth of the sun on your face, to get wet when it rains, to be part of the weather that Mother Earth throws at you. At night, if it is clear, the stars are amazing. The Milky Way and constellations provide the best light show imaginable. I even know the phase of the moon at all times! I watch every sunset and experience every sunrise. It is amazing what you miss when you spend your life in a human-friendly environment.

The other rythm you notice is the wildlife. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing dolphins swimming under the bow wave and then turning sideways to look you in the eye. And the birds on the ICW come in countless varieties. There are cormorants, gulls, ducks, wading birds, diving birds, swimming birds and some that defy description. Some have long legs, long necks and long beaks while others have long legs, short necks and long beaks. Every other possible combination is also represented. It is eerie to be gliding along and then have a cormorant just pop up out of the water next to you. Then, as quickly as he appears, he dives again and you can watch for minutes and never see him resurface.

Sometimes, there are rythm changes, such as when you run aground and need to wait for the tide to lift you off or when you get a stretch of open water and can put up the sails. Other times, there is a traffic jam on the waterway waiting for a bridge to open (see picture). Even the dolphins seemed to be playing around waiting for the bridge. I also posted several new pictures in the pics section of the website.

For those following along, I am at 29 deg 55.07 N and 81 deg 18.45 W (St. Augustine). Making great progress and finally in warmer weather in Florida! Anchored 6 out of the last 8 nights, getting good at setting and retrieving the anchor by myself! May see about cutting across Florida on Okechobee waterway once I reach Stuart.