It seems like every third person I have spoke with while in Florida is from Ohio. It was no surprise to learn that our destination today, Daytona, was named in honor of an Ohioan.
In 1871, Mathias Day, Jr., from Mansfield, Ohio, purchased a 2.144.5 acre tract of the former William's Plantation, on the west bank of the tidal channel known as the Halifax River. He built a hotel around which the town arose, which is today the Daytona Beach Historic District. In 1872 due to financial troubles he lost title to his land (no surprise there), residents decided to name the city Daytona in honor of Day as its founder, and incorporated the town in 1876.
The city is historically known as having a beach where the hard packed sand allows motorized vehicles to drive on the beach in restricted areas. This hard packed sand made Daytona Beach a mecca for motorsports, with the old Daytona Beach Road Course having hosted races for over 50 years. This course was replaced in 1959 by the Daytona International Speedway. The city is also the headquarters for NASCAR and the Grand American Road Racing Association.
We had a windy but nice cruise today and are bound for Jacksonville tomorrow.
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With a little training from Jack, Kenny is now qualified to become the ships hazardous waste removal expert.
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Daytona Beach takes their roads and bridges seriously.
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Bobby has developed some bad habits.
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Hitching a ride to Daytona.
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The terrain has changed quite a bit as we travel north, from sandy to more swamps and tree covered.
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Docked at Daytona watching a great sunset.
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Daytona Harbor at night.
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