Day 151 – 3/3/24

Starting location: Anchorage next to uninhabited island, just south of Pine Island.

Weather: Mid 60s am, mid 70s pm, 83% humidity, partly cloudy.

Ending location: Municipal dock at Cocoa Village, FL. MM 897 AICW.

Statute miles: Approximately 50

General summary: Hadn’t planned on getting this far North yet, but the flat calm made for an easy ride. Had reserved a marina stay on Merritt Island 3/4 and 5 to visit my cousin, Laura. She is a NASA engineer and lives on the island. Turns out Cocoa Village is very close. We planned to tie up on the municipal dock for the day and then anchor out in the waters nearby for the night, but found out the dock allows a 48 hour free stay. Snagged the last available space.

Walked into downtown, where they were having a Sunday market. Food and crafts for sale from tents set up on sidewalks. Lovely downtown. Found a great pastry shop for breakfast tomorrow.

We hadn’t planned our arrival to coincide with a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, but it turned out that the Space X launch of the four person astronaut crew (crew 8) heading to the International Space Station, originally scheduled for 3/1, had been delayed twice by weather and was rescheduled for this evening. My cousin picked us up and got us into a viewing area on Kennedy Space Center property and we got to see the rocket launch and recovery. Absolutely amazing and another trip highlight!

Very loud sonic boom when rocket successfully returned to land.

Boater information: Municipal dock is FREE for 48 hours for those transiting the ICW, though clearly one boat (running a generator all night) had been there for awhile. Some reports of issues with homeless but we did not have any. Large anchorage area just to South. Several derelict and sunken vessels to avoid. Nice floating T dock. No services. Quaint downtown within walking distance. Publix grocery 1.8 miles away.