GL: Sanderling - cruise north - October 30, 2006 - Manatee Cove Marina (home)

[Bob McLeran]

We departed our wide-open anchorage in Mosquito Lagoon (Florida) as soon 
as we could see the few crab trap floats that were in the area - about 
0610 (EST) - and headed south through the Haulover Canal. As we finished 
the southerly leg on Mosquito Lagoon, we were treated to a beautiful 
sunrise and a view of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and some 
launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center. The VAB was in sight for the 
next three hours, as we made our way into Indian River Lagoon, and then 
turned into the Canaveral Barge Canal heading toward Port Canaveral and 
the Banana River.

We then turned south on the Banana River, just before the locks into 
Port Canaveral. We noticed that someone (state of Florida ?) had removed 
a number of derelict boats that used to inhabit the area just south of 
the locks in the Banana River. The only derelict remaining is a large 
coastal transport of some sort - just rusting away.

About two hours later we turned east into the channel leading to our 
slip at Manatee Cove Marina, and we had lines to the dock at 1310 - a 
five hour cruise to complete the trip. It was good to be back home.

All in all, we traveled 4244 statute miles or 3693 nautical miles in 
556hours 15 minutes underway. The engines logged over 650 hours.

We have many fond memories of this trip, including the friends we made 
along the way and the spectacular scenery. It will undoubtedly take us a 
little while to readjust to living on land, in a house, with lots of 
space, but planning for the next adventure (Canada next summer) and 
local cruising for the next six months, will keep us involved with 
Sanderling and the joys of boating.

-- 
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Bob McLeran and Judy Young                       Manatee Cove Marina
M/V Sanderling                                   Patrick Air Force Base
Hampton 35 Trawler                               Melbourne, Florida