We left the Titusville anchorage and continued our travel on the Indian River which flows into Mosquito Lagoon. While the name may be appropriate, we found the lagoon to be very scenic with lots of water fowl and dolphins. It was rather shallow though at times, so we took our time as we were in no hurry. I discovered something interesting while in this area. It seems that pelicans like to hang out near dolphins in order to snatch fish that the dolphins round up. It was fun to watch the pelicans move back and forth with the dolphins in an attempt to steal their fish. The dolphins would be very patient with the pelicans as the birds stole their food but then all of a sudden the dolphin would grab the pelican and pull it underwater. The dolphin would only hold the pelican underwater long enough so that the bird got the message not to mess with the dolphin’s food.
After having anchored out for five consecutive days, we both were in dire need of electricity, fresh water and a marina. I really love anchoring out but five days in a row is my limit, I think…
We could not have picked a better place to stay to recoup. The town motto for New Smyrna Beach is “Catch the Charm” and it is aptly described. The first thing I noticed as we approached the town along the Intracoastal Waterway was the appearance of the town – it did not look like a Florida city – it had a distinctive Midwestern or even New England feel. The houses were large with shingled roofs and clapboard siding. When we later explored the town, we both became totally enchanted with this charming little town. 
We stayed at the city marina which proved to be a very wise choice. The price was right @ $1.25 per foot and the docks and facilities were new within the last couple of years and very very nice. We have seen our share of nasty restrooms and showers that I would not enter and it was most refreshing to find clean and fresh facilities.
So following a good long shower we headed downtown which was only one block away to have a nice dinner that I did not have to cook. We had dinner at The Deli Touch which is owned by a local chef named Jason. The atmosphere was relaxing and the food was excellent. We have found so far on this trip that the best food is at locally owned and usually small establishments. Additionally, the cost of the meal is almost always reasonable and the staff friendly. I think we would both agree that our meal at Jason’s Deli Touch was one of the best that we have had thus far. So good in fact, that we went back for breakfast on Sunday morning for a Mother’s Day treat and it was also excellent. Saturday we went back downtown to have lunch at The Drug Store. On our tour Friday evening we noticed that The Drug Store had a lunch counter. Both of us were delighted to see an old fashioned lunch counter like the ones from our childhood. Being one of five children, our family did not “eat out” often, if ever, so a trip to the lunch counter at Woolworth’s or Murphy’s dime store was a big deal for me as child. It took me a long time to decide between the grilled cheese and fries or the hamburger and fries. I eventually settled on the hamburger and fries which were as good as I remember them being as little girl. There is indeed something special about an old fashioned grill and a deep fryer.
Every Saturday evening, New Smyrna Beach has a townfest of some sort. This Saturday it was Cruiser’s Night. All of the stores stay open until 8p. In addition to the sponsored activity there are popcorn, hot dogs, ice cream and lemonade vendors lining the main drag. It was fun to see the “old/antique” cars of our youth that have been lovingly maintained and restored.
We had planned to head out on Sunday but severe storms were predicted for the area a little north of us, so we decided to stay another day. Mark did not have to ask me twice if I wanted to stay another day. We spent the day cleaning the boat and then watching old movies. Since it was Mother’s Day, I got to pick the movie. It was my all time favorite comedy, Overboard. My long time dear friend and fellow southern Indiana Hoosier Tom Wright and the Wright Brothers Band also star in this movie making it all that much better to watch over and over again.
Having fallen in love the town, I decided that THIS was the place to stay upon our return to Florida next fall. It seems that each town we come to I think is THE place to stay. However the wait for a long term slip at the city marina is over two years so I don’t think that we will be able to stay longer than one week as a transient boat when we head back south in the fall.
Hours on the water: 4.5
Nautical miles traveled: 28.5
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridges: 0
Next Destination: Rattlesnake Island anchorage
What we're listening to: The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks
What we watched: Overboard
Lesson for the day: There is nothing like a long shower
Obligatory knitting report: Sally Melville's Einstein Coat
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