Crossing The Halifax

                    The Dunlawton Avenue Bridge Spans The Halifax River From Port Orange To South Daytona Beach

   The Halifax River, which has got to be the shortest river I've ever encountered (25 miles long flowing north to south) separates Daytona Beach from mainland Florida.

   There are a number of bridges that span the river and every one of them features a pedestrian walkway as well as designated fishing areas. Fishing from bridges is a big no-no in nearly every place I've ever visited, so I somewhat  marveled at the people fishing from the bridge.

   On my last visit to Daytona I walked across the Main Street bridge, one of the two remaining drawbridges that still cross the Daytona section of the Halifax (from east Fairview Avenue to old Daytona where the Daytona Beach Main Street Pier is), so this time I decided to cross the much newer high bridge that crosses the river from Port Orange to Dunlawton Avenue, which, appropriately enough, is commonly referred to as either the Port Orange or Dunlawton Ave bridge.

   Naturally the boating game is strong on the Florida coast, which is heaven for a boat-spotter such as myself. I could waste hours boatspotting from any of the bridges that span the Halifax - heck, in just the 15 minutes I took walking across the Port Orange bridge I spotted a nice twin engine Yamaha jet boat, a Boston Whaler 285 Conquest, a Boston Whaler 160 SS, a Seaborn FX24, and an Everglades 455.

   Boatspotting is either a very revered pastime amongst nautical types, or a term I just made up to explain away my fascination with watching boats.

   Walking over the Port Orange bridge offers one the opportunity to enjoy a 360 degree view of Daytona Beach Shores and Wilbur by the Sea to the northeast and southeast respectively, and South Daytona and Port Orange to the northwest & west.

   Below the bridge there are fishing piers that extend out into the river which allow people the opportunity to fish without having to deal with road noise. The piers look much more inviting than the bridge as far as enjoying a relaxing day with a line in the water goes.

   Dotting the wide Halifax river are numerous sandbar islands that to me look like the ideal place to find a semi-private sunbathing spot - ideal that is if you have a boat or a Sea Doo or are a really strong swimmer and really like to sunbath in the great outdoors, but in semi-private fashion. 

   The speed and direction of boat traffic under and in the vicinity of the bridge is well regulated, something I'm sure fellow boaters, fishermen, and sunbathers alike greatly appreciate. Can't have people boating all willy-nilly, that would be nautical chaos.

   The east and west shores of the Halifax are dotted with private homes in small neighborhoods that have small inlets separating them, somewhat like water alleyways. These little inlets allow for homeowners with boats to moor their boats at small private docks while maintaining 24/7 access to the river and thus the sea.

   Pretty flippin' sweet, that.