The weather patterns have changed around us. Those moderate to strong N to NE winds with cool, sunny skies that lasted for weeks have given way to light and variables with misty to rainy skies. Some days we motor a few miles further south staying dry under the bimini. Other days we stay in some town like Daytona where we are now. The cities of central Florida provide an excellent preparation for a full appreciation of the Bahamas. Their noise, traffic and density make even the Abacos seem a real treasure in comparison. The biggest danger would be getting too anxious to cross the Gulf Stream. You can get a good whacking out there if you go at the wrong time. So we'll continue slowly south trying to acquire the patience of a heron.

After sitting out that bitingly cold, near-gale at the marina on Amelia Island, we got the last day of those fine NE winds and were able to sail all day inside to the popular anchorage at Pine Island just north of St. Augustine. We were frequently passed by sailboats motoring slightly faster than we were sailing and getting a thumbs up from for actually sailing a sail boat. When we got to Pine Island arounf 5:00, there they all were, thirteen of them, in the same anchorage. It's another of life's many unexplained mysteries.

In St. Augustine we went into Salt Run, my usual anchorage there, and found it full of moorings for local liveaboards and other long termers. The moorings ddep enough for Gorgeous Girl were all occupied. We took a shallow mooring for an hour to shop at Stewart's Market then left again before the falling tide put us on the bottom and continued on the Fort Martanzas. Yesterday we came into Daytona and anchored north of the Seabreeze bridge. There were no other cruising boats in either anchorage.

Next stop: New Smyrna Beach.