25 February, 2020 Cold front coming through

More river like AICW.  36 SM; 5.2 engine hours

Great holding last night at the anchorage inside of Ponce Inlet.  Ponce Inlet lighthouse kept us illuminated.  Strong tidal flow, stronger than the southern winds.  Sunrise nearly calm again.  Dolphins and pelicans feeding early around Serenity.  We decided to press early and further today and get to St. Augustine a few days early.  We got underway at 0730 and headed north in the AICW.  Cold front on the way later today; forecast risk of lightening and thunderstorms but nothing severe.  Trying to get to a couple of potential good anchorages to wait out the frontal passage.  Quiet day on the waterway, few boats.   Only a couple of larger motor yachts or trawlers creating large wakes.  Otherwise, pretty smooth.  Once north of Ormond Beach, waterway narrowed and became more manmade canal, the spoil islands have vegetated nicely and sable palms are thick.  Housing much different than south Florida.  Still a huge mansion now and then, but most of these homes are more modest and reasonably sized.  First intended anchorage was ok, but we arrived at 1130.  Too soon to stop with the later afternoon rains.  We made good time due to few no-wake zones.  We continued northward with skies darkening.  Check of the weather radar on the iPhone showed the approaching front ahead of us.  We passed another anchorage that would have offered good protection for a park/boat ramp just one and a half mile further.  Arriving we noted floating docks, a marked short channel off the AICW and a park.  We eased in and did a 180 turn and tied up port side to.  No other boats around.  Secured at 1230.  Still a bit early, but if we are not asked to leave, then this is an excellent location to wait out the weather.  (map)

Boat ramp, docks and park

Herschel King Park 20 acres with baths, trash receptacles and lights all around.  It is noted as a sunrise/sunset park, but the boat ramps are listed as 24 hours.  No one has kicked us out yet.  We are going to stay here and ride out the approaching thunderstorms.  We hiked around twice while dodging the rain showers that have come and gone.

Almost sunset and we are still here

1439.3 Hobbs; 2229 SM elapsed