Harbortown Marina to Banana River Anchorage

Miles Traveled 30.4

Total Miles Traveled 2621

Day 194

It is not often when everything comes together on the same day, but today was one of those days, visiting with family, perfect weather, a full moon, and a rocket launch from the space center that we can view from an anchorage.

We started the day with another family cruise on the Indian and Banana Rivers, passing Cocoa on the Indian River and Port Canaveral on the Banana River. 

After returning our family members to the marina, Moni and I headed to an anchorage near Port Canaveral to watch an Atlas V Rocket launch at 11:05 p.m.  Although I was 99.99 percent sure we could anchor in this area, we were the only boat anchored here, so I called the coast guard to verify our location was not in a restricted area, we were assured we were in the safe zone.

Sunset over Merritt Island.

The Atlas V rocket is carrying the OA-6 Cygnus resupply craft to the International Space Station (ISS).  This mission is the heaviest payload (7,745 pounds of cargo) launched aboard the Atlas V Rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fl.

There is nothing between us and the Atlas Rocket Launch but water.  There were few clouds at sunset, but just before launch time a band of clouds moved through, we still had a great view of the launch though.  What a great experience hearing and feeling the rumble of the rocket as it climbed to space.

Another great day on America’s Great Loop!