Jensen Beach, FL

December 17, 2011

Well – they’re home for a while, but I’m in a new place!  Thank goodness Jany K is here.  At least I have a friend!

Saw a lot of large homes and boats on the way to Jensen Beach.  And a lot of little fishing boats who really didn’t care about no wake zones!

One of the many LARGE homes we saw

Cormorant drying his wings!

They are talking about staying here until sometime in March and then heading to the Bahamas.  Sounds good to me!  I have a lot of friends who will be over there somewhere.  I’d love to meet up with them again.

Coming into Nettles, looking straight at their building!

After that, I guess I will head north to Oriental and finish this trip.  And then?  Who knows?  Maybe head further north again, maybe stay south?  It all depends on the whims of the Admiral and Captain.  I just go where they point me!

Stuart, FL

December 16, 2011

They’re almost home!

We were up and away early again today.  We went through the Moore Haven lock (we stayed right outside it last night) first thing.  We saw an alligator!! It was swimming around right outside the entrance to the lock.  Kate, of course, was a bit freaked, but I was cool and collected.  No Problem!!  Of course, no one had a camera ready --- duh!!

Levee along the Okeechobee

We had a very smooth ride to the Lake.  We were really all alone all the way to the Lake and across.  We met a Coast Guard boat as we got to Port Mayaca and a tug as we came out of the lock.  Port Mayaca was open and we really didn’t have to lock through.

We saw a lot of fish jumping after we left the St. Lucie Lock.  No idea what kind or why they were doing it.  Really strange.

Fish jumping in St. Lucie canal

A total of 3 locks today, but --- no more locks for at least 3 months!!!  And then?  Well, who knows?  There are none in the Bahamas!!

Moore Haven, FL

December 14, 2011

Well, I’m still at Legacy Harbor in Ft. Myers.  Greg checked the weather this morning and the winds were too gusty.  Sooo – here I sit for another day!   Maybe tomorrow.

December 15, 2011

Finally on the move again!  I left the dock at 7:05 AM this morning.  It was a bit chilly but the winds were okay.

Orange groves along the Caloosahatchee

I was pretty much the only one out there until we hit the Ortona Lock.  This was our 2^nd lock today.  We finally saw boats there, but they were headed west.  The wind started picking up here, too.

Greg decided we would only go as far as Moore Haven tonight.  I docked about 2:10 PM at the Moore Haven City Dock.  Greg is pleased – water and electric and only $1 a foot!  A catamaran came in after us, but that’s it!

At the City Dock in Moore Haven

Ft. Myers, FL

December 9 – 13, 2011

Well – the wind was blowing and the tide was out!  So they went and had breakfast at the restaurant on Cabbage Key.  Then they took another nature walk.  I think they just wanted to be away from me again!

View from the water tower at Cabbage Key

After a bit we left the dock.  I had an easy ride today.  There were a lot of dolphin – they played in my wake and ran alongside.  It was awesome!!

One of my friends!!

When I got to Legacy Harbor I met a sister ship - Marc’s Ark!  We had heard about her and her people – Marc & Michelle.  It was really nice to meet them.  The people got together for dinner and had a great time.

Saturday Greg checked the weather early and found that it was raining really heavily on the east coast and that the winds were really bad.  They decided to rent a car and drive over to Jensen Beach to get the condo open.  Soooooo—alone again!!!!

Well – finally!! They’re back!  It’s Tuesday afternoon and Greg and Kate finally came back.  Thank goodness my friends Brown Eyed Girl, Free 2 Be, and Lady In Red are here and have kept me company.

The wind is still blowing, but now it’s the west coast that’s a problem.  Not sure what’s happening, but I will keep you informed!

Cabbage Key

December 8, 2011

It was very cold this morning.  I left the dock at 8:30 AM this morning.  We are heading to Cabbage Key for the night.  They have a dinner reservation for 6:30 PM.

Not a bad ride.  I stopped to get fueled up after the Albee Bridge.  Greg said it was a bargain -- $3.95.9 a gallon.  Something Special caught up with us here.

During our ride today I passed a lot of interesting architecture – some pretty, others pretty weird!!  I also saw lots of dolphin.  They kept playing in my wake and in front of my bow.  Very cool!!!

A friend come to play!

I got into Cabbage Key around 3:20 PM.  I was docked next to my friend Brown Eyed Girl.  It’s great to see friends again!

Greg on the Nature Trail.

Brown Eyed Girl and Grianan @ Cabbage Key

Sarasota, FL

December 7, 2011

I left Clearwater this morning at 7:35 AM heading to Sarasota.  I said good-bye to everyone – they are staying on the west coast or heading to the Keys.  It was a bit sad.

I went back out into the Gulf for the ride to Tampa Bay.  Then I entered the Intracoastal again.  It was a pretty easy day.

Egmont Key -- great anchorage!

I docked at Marina Jack’s at 1:50 PM.  I immediately saw Spirit of Whitby.  This is wonderful!  I have a friend here.

Then I found that my friends Free 2 Be, and Something Special are also here!  Fun!  A bit later Muddy Waters also came in.  Loopers!!

Maina Jack's

The front that had been threatening came in and we had rain and wind.  The temperature dropped quickly.  It went from shorts weather to overcoats!

We Crossed!!!

December 5-6, 2011

On Monday morning the plan was to leave at 1:00 PM.  Brandy IV would leave early (she’s a little slower) and would give us updates.

Brandy turned back and was back @ The Moorings by 12:30.  John said it was too rough.

Raydiance went out at 1:00 PM to anchor behind Dog Island.  We thought about joining them.  Greg decided I would poke my nose out into the Gulf and see what the conditions were.  If bad, I’d come back and anchor with Raydiance.  If good, I’d keep on going.

We decided to go at 1:25 PM.  Last Chance (34 ft. Mainship) came out with us.  About 2 hrs. later Boreas, Once Around, and Jolly Tolly came out too.

Goodbye Carrabelle and Panhandle!!!

It was a bit rough for the first 2 hours.  We had a southeast wind and waves 2-3 ft. with the occasional 4.  It was right on my nose and it really didn’t bother me. Even Kate was okay (she had a patch on)!  The waves smoothed out a bit after dark.

It was definitely a beautiful night.  The moon was almost full and very bright.  And the stars!  Haven’t seen that many in a long time.

The wind started picking up again about 1:30 AM.  My ride started to get a bit rocky.  We lost the moon about 3:30 AM and it got pitch-black!!

We all watched the sun rise about 6:30 AM.  Then we had to watch out for crab pots!!  Just like home!

Sunrise heading into Clearwater

I pulled into Clearwater Municipal Marina at 9:30 AM.  Greg washed me off; they took showers, and then went for a walk.  They even bought some more t-shirts for the babies!

I am soooo happy to be here at last with my friends.  It took a lot of waiting, but we had a good time in the end.

Carrabelle, FL

December 4-5, 2011

I left Apalachicola Sunday morning with Boreas, Brandy IV, Once Around, Foray, and Jolly Tolly.  Had about a 3-½ hour ride to get to Carrabelle.

We had beam seas for about an hour and it wasn’t pleasant, but after I turned toward the East we were much better.  We all hope that tomorrow and Tuesday are as good!

Coming into Carrabelle

Met up with Raydiance, Seabiscuit, C-Bay, and Last Chance again once we docked.  I will have a lot of company!

Looper's Cocktails

Monday morning after a Captain’s meeting, it was decided to leave about 1 PM.  Brandy will leave earlier as she is slower.

With any luck, the next time I post I will be in Clearwater!

Apalachicola, FL

December 2 – 3, 2011

Headed to Apalachicola on Friday.  It was a nice ride along the Intracoastal.  We did see a lot of crab pots as we neared Apalachicola (I just love that name!).  Haven’t seen a lot of them since the Chesapeake!

Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway

We pulled into Scipio Creek Marina around 12:30 PM.  It’s a small, rustic marina.  It has a restaurant on site, Papa Joe’s Oyster Bar & Grill.  Kate got oysters for dinner, of course!

Marina as seen from across the street

Oysters!!!

 

Town is not too far and they walked it a couple of times both days.  Kate did some shopping and they toured the Botanical Garden across the street from the Marina.

View of downtown Apalachicola

Butterflies everywhere!

They also started getting things ready – “battening down the hatches” so to speak – for a crossing Mon. night into Tues.  Should be fun!

Port St. Joe, FL

11/30 – 12/1/11

I’m still waiting for a weather window to cross the Gulf, but at least I’ve finally moved on from Bay Point!

On Wednesday, we all moved over to Port St. Joe Marina.  There are 5 of us here and we came across Lollygag.  She has just finished her Loop!

"Lollygag" -- homemade sailboat -- "Gold Looper"

Port St. Joe is a cute little town.  Everything is within walking distance, so that is what they did most of the day on Thursday.

Kate & Greg had a great dinner at “Provisions” tonight.  They said it was a wonderful Tapas menu.  They met the people from Once Around and Jolly Tolley in the restaurant and had a great time!

We are all heading to Apalachicola tomorrow. Kate can’t wait – OYSTERS!!!!  I’m hoping that we’ll get going and cross the Gulf soon.