(part 2) GALEON & PORT CANAVERL NEW DOCKS!!

by Robin

Had a few more minutes to downsize some more pictures from yesterday before we get to the New Dock pics below.  Here is my youngest with the map room behind him.  There is also a dining table.



He had many questions for the French men that were learning how to sail this vessel. These two had pretty good English.



Here is the lamp that lights up the front of the boat as it travels.  It is actually at an angle but I changed that  for the blog.




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Ok, here are the OLD DOCKS for Port Canaveral.  This is where you used to stage and un/load boats onto trailers.  They're filling it all in with dirt.  There will be no ramp follies to watch any more from Grills restaurant.  Btw, Grills has made some beautiful new construction to its existing building and added a bait/tackle store to where the motorcycles used to park.  I have no idea where motorcyclists will go after that.  Hope they made plans for more parking!!




Here is the side view of the new terminal.  Still off limits but I think they said it opens up this weekend.





Ok, so if you go past all the  old dock area on Flounder St., and continue heading down toward Jetty park, you will see the NEW DOCKS, just before the park entrance.  Turn left there.  Here are the new docks.  There is plenty of concrete for backing in trailers and place for boats to drop off drivers to pick up trailers.



Here's the same view to the left, looking back at the parking area, which is very spacious.




They put in fish cleaning stations, which I love.  There are nice restrooms.  To the left is a bait/tackle store.  I would think they're probably going to upgrade that trailer that sits there now into something more concrete in the future.




This property is adjacent with Jetty Park camping grounds.  No more slow cruising until you get to the rocks.  As soon as you launch, you can hit the gas right out to your fishing grounds.

Although I wasn't thrilled with the change originally, I have to say that I do like this new space much better and away from the tourist (if you can get past the tourist traffic).   I look forward to seeing how it all works with spring/ cobia rush of recreational fishermen.  I wonder if they'll even be able to find the new docks if they haven't been around for a while.  :)

So, I hope this blesses somebody.
Tight Lines,
Robin

SPANISH GALEON

by Robin

I have been so time-challenged for well over a year now.  Got one son graduated and in college and the other one begins a new journey called high school.  Every weekend seems to be filled with events and volunteer work.

All those things are wonderful but it is great to come back to some of the things we really love.  Last weekend, Jack and I took an overnight trip to Sebastian Inlet.  We fished there and docked at Captain Hiram's.  More on that another day.  I have to downsize pictures for that.



But, now that most the focus is off the big kid, I am able to do fun stuff with my baby.  We had a superb field trip today down at Port Canaveral.   A Spanish Galeon is here through the end of the month.  He was so excited to get on the ship and out of the bitter cold wind (above).  He was first on the ship.



Immediately, I fell in love with all the wood and rope (lines).   So many cool angles to shoot from.  Below is the crow's nest at the top of the front mast.



Below is my son standing in front of the crew cabin doors.



Up on the bow, there were plenty of lines.  I am assuming they to go the sails when they are finally down and full of air.



This galeon is a replica, constructed in 2009.  It truly sailed across the Atlantic, from France, over 28 days to Puerto Rico.  Then, they were in Port Canaveral last year and up the Atlantic seaboard.  Now, they are on their way back down the coast.  My youngest tells me they are headed back over to Europe and Asia.



They have a crew of 20 and some are there to learn sailing technique.  A couple are there from a French culinary school and fulfilling some school requirement of cooking for over 20 people for 6 months at a time.

Below is the Poop Deck, Captain's Quarters (down below the deck) and the Ship's Wheel.


Here is a picture from the outside.  You can see the faux cannons through the windows.  Back in the day, these were carrying cargo (not war ships) but they did have to defend themselves.




Hope you enjoyed my quick tour of the ship.  It was about 48 degrees but I guess that beat having snow & ice like the rest of the country.

Maybe the best part of the field trip was our lunch date afterwards.  Hot cocoa warmed us up and then a good meal fit for any pirate - mahi mahi and wings.  Great conversation with my son.  Priceless.

God bless you & happy fishing,
Robin