Banana River

The poor saps on cruise ships don't see wildlife like this.

 I have not seen a rocket launch from the kayak for a long time.  June 15, 2016!?! if my research in the archives is accurate. I have seen launches since then, but from land. Finally, one was re-scheduled  for 9:49 AM on a Monday.  As I do not work until 12:30 Mondays, I could get out to KARS Park on the Banana River, see it, and get to work on time.

 I was on the water at 8:52.  Would have been earlier, but I could not find the kayak launch.  It used to be just a spot on the bank, marked by posts on the ground indicating where to park.  Since my last visit to KARS Park, riprap has been placed along the bank, and stones on the first 10 feet or so to better support RVs.  I drove to the end of the road to what appeared to be a parking area.  Two wood beams on the ground. I did not see a place to launch, without stepping over the rocks. Drove back to the guardhouse.  The attendant said there is an opening.  I drove back, did not see it.  I lifted to kayak over the rocks and began to paddle.

 I was not sure which of the many towers was the Falcon 9 launch tower.  Post paddle research, I am pretty sure it is the black toothbrush shape.

 About ten minutes before lift off, I got on line to check on launch status.  Scrubbed due to unfavorable upper level winds.

 Pretty nice down here.

 Eagle

 Cruise ships at Port Canaveral

 The riprap

 There is a launch spot!

 The docks in the boat basin are new since my last visit.  Too cool today for the manatees that are often here.

 The boat basin and channel is just outside the No Motor Zone

 Landed at 11:03. I saw one boat, outside the No Moor Zone, in my two plus hours on the Banana River.

Final photo, 11:26.  61 miles to work, clocked in at 12:38

Pellicer Creek, Faver-Dykes State Park, Sunday

Not from the kayak, but worthy of the first photo position.

 Nature called around 6:30 am.  I figured as long as I was up, may as well go for a longer walk instead of crawling back under the comforter.

 At the boat ramp

 Picnic area dock

 The Creek flows north to south here, so I saw the sunset and rise from the same area.

 Camping loop. 30 sites

 Mine

Took the screen room down. With temperatures in the mid 40's I did not want more shade.

Came down rather clumsily over the picnic table.  Do not think it folded properly, but, it fit in the bag.

 Breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, downloaded photos, broke camp

 On Pellicer Creek at 10

 Paddled down stream

 Princess Place Preserve shelter

Styles Creek

 I now have kayaked under 2 covered bridges

I was thinking this was the main estate, Princess Place,the oldest intact building in Flagler County.  Until I saw pictures on line.  That building is on a wide part of Pellicer Creek, and has rough log beams.  A dive into the internet revealed this building was built in 1978.

 This is on Styles Creek

Could not fit under this bridge.

 Osprey

 Back on Pellicer Creek, a look down river at one of the rental cottages.  The wind had picked up, so I headed back to the boat ramp.

One of two diving pelicans.  Which often means, dolphins can't be far behind.

 There was a dolphin.  Barely visible in the photo below.  Darn backup camera has half the zoom.

 Vulture

 Short paddle, landed at 12:17

 Creekside lunch

 The canopied Park road.

 Classic Florida