Log 70; Day 184; Nov. 21; Clearwater, FL

This is what it looked like as were leaving Carrabelle Harbor at 6:30 am

This shot was about 7 am...sunrise was at 7:05 this morning

This is a shot looking back at Carrabelle in the distance...note the two boats following us

Here is a shot looking the other direction...I was looking forward to seeing the sun come up

You could have taken this picture anytime you wanted...for 6 hours this is what I did

We have now lost all the clouds and the water is getting calmer

One of our early shots of Clearwater

Getting closer...look how calm the water is

A shot of Clearwater Municipal Marina...our slip is just beside that little boat on the left of the picture

Log 70
Day 184
Friday, November 21, 2008

5:30 AM EST
Location: Clearwater, FL...Mile Marker 120 on the ICW
Weather: 64* with light winds...forecasted to be 68; sunny; and NE winds 10 to 20

We made it! We are safely tied in our slip in Clearwater, FL, and if I had not seen the market take another dive yesterday...it would have been a perfect day (I just had to put the market piece in there because it certainly does affect my attitude). I was hoping to sleep in this morning, because we are going to be here a few days, and I don’t have too many things on my to do list, but I woke up before 5 (I think it was the market thing again). It’s still very dark out, and as soon as it gets to be about 6 I think I will take a dock walk...but until then, a few words of update.

It was a great crossing. We ran with two other boats who have made the crossing many times, and they said it was their best one. Was all that worrying and planning was unnecessary? After sending the quick log yesterday, Deb and I got everything on the boat ready for the crossing. The 4 boats that were going said we would talk at 6 am on the radio...so at 5:59 (according to Debbie) I called each of them to see if they were ready. The response was...10 to 15 minutes. At 6:20 we untied our lines and headed out. You can see from the first picture it was still very dark, but we knew it would start to get light in a few minutes. We followed Cloud 9 out of the harbor, with Starbound and Lindonia right behind us. It takes about 30 minutes to get out of the harbor, and clear the east pass...just to the west of Dog Island. By the time we got there (which is out in the open Gulf) it was starting to get light, and we could see there were a few clouds in the sky...first we’d seen in a few days. The gulf itself was not bad, and a couple of calls to the other boats and we all agreed to plot a course directly to the mouth of Clearwater...165 miles away. The first part of the trip was a little bouncy...but not bad at all. We set the speed at about 24 MPH and it gave us a nice ride, with no spray coming on the windows. About 1/3 of the way in the trip the waves started to pick up a bit, and we were concerned the crossing window was closing sooner than forecasted...but that only lasted 30 minutes or so, and the further we went...the smoother it got. By the time we reached Clearwater, the waters were flat, and the ride was perfect. With 48 miles to go I got an alarm on the port engine that scared the daylights out of me. After finally figuring out how to shut off the buzzer, I found out the battery light on the port engine was flashing...telling me the port alternator was not charging. I was afraid we had lost the engine belt that drives everything, and that would mean the engine would over heat and we would have to shut it down, but I kept a close eye on all the temps, and also the volts in the battery...and all were normal, so I kept the engine running and kept up our speed. I’m still not sure what was wrong...it’s on my to do list.

At 1:30 pm we hit the mouth of the Clearwater channel...a fantastic feeling...and by 2:30 we were tied up and washing down the boat. Shortly after the wash down and clean up, Deb and I celebrated our safe crossing with a shot of Tequila, and a beer. We had earned it. Our friends on Good News also had a great crossing. They left at 3 PM the day before us and crossed all night...arriving at 10 am in Clearwater. We left 15 hours after them...and arrived 4 hours after them. The difference between a fast and a slow crossing. Both work...it’s just a matter of choice, or what your boat is capable of doing. We ended up with a slip very close to Good News, so we got together for a 5 PM captain’s meeting...that turned into dinner (Deb cooked spaghetti), and we finally said good night at 9 PM. A great day.

We really do not have any plans for the next two weeks. We think we will stay at Clearwater Marina until Monday, and then play it by ear from there. Our only goal is to be in Ft. Myers by December 10th...and that is only 120 ICW miles from here, so we have lots of time. Andy and Mary (Good News) were going to rent a car for the weekend, so we said we’d split the cost, and figure it out from there. It’s nice to have some time without any plans.

Well it’s past 6 now, and before long it will be light enough for me to take a dock walk, so I need to finish this log. I’ll keep you posted.

Bob

Log 69; Day 183: Nov. 20, 2008; Carrabelle, FL

4 couples having a captain's meeting (basicly an excuse to have a cocktail and talk boating) the night before 3 of the couples (not us) are heading out.

This is the world famous Buddy (in the center with the brown shirt on) giving us all weather information and Gulf crossing instructions. He's been doing this for 18 years.


HQ in our slip at Moorings Marina in Carrabelle, FL

A shot of Carrabelle Harbor as we entered...it reminds you of an old english fishing village

On our trip from Apalachicola to Carrabelle we were met by 2 Eagles sitting on a piling

It was blowing so hard as we crossed to Carrabelle our dinghy cover flew off (see it draging in the center of the picture) and was held on by a small strap in the back. We lost the cente pole...but the cover was saved

Here's Deb...pretending she likes oysters

Here's me...demonstrating how fresh oysters are supposed to be eaten

Log 69
Day 183
Thursday, November 20, 2008

4:45 AM CST
Location: Carrabelle, FL...Mile 351 on the GIWW
Weather: 43* with calm winds...forecasted to be 64; sunny; and light winds

I only have a few minutes to write a log this morning, because we leave at first light to cross the Gulf of Mexico. I uploaded several new pictures on the blog yesterday, so I thought I’d at least add a few comments to them.

It’s a little before 5 this morning and in just a few minutes I’ll be getting the boat ready to head out. I’ve been looking forward (dreading) this day for some time now. Not sure why...but crossing the Gulf is a big deal to me. Lots of open water, and not many places to go if there are issues. The good news is we have a great day to cross. The winds are very light, and in many places they are calm. I’ve checked all the weather stations I can and most look very good...but getting worse late in the day. That should not be a problem because we plan to be in Clearwater by 4 or 5.

Since getting to Carrabelle the only discussion among everyone is the weather. During this time of year there are only 1 or 2 days per week or 2 times a month that crossing is recommended, so you must know your stuff, and leave when the time is right. If not...you’ll be here another week or so. At this marina they have a boating legend (Buddy) who we have gotten to know and he says go...so we’re going. Yesterday we had 3 of our friends leave at about 3 Pm for an overnight crossing. They plan to go about 10 mph, and travel all night. We plan to leave a 6 am (sunrise is at 7:07) because I paid close attention to what time the very first light happened yesterday, and it was 6:15 so we will be leaving just as that happens. We will be traveling with 3 other boats who plan to go fast across. Yesterday afternoon Deb and I walked the docks and met these other boats who we thought would be crossing today (none of the boats no one another). We asked if they wanted to travel together and they all said yes...so that’s what we’ll do.

We have no plans yet once we get to Clearwater, but I think we will just sit there for a few days. just to really relax knowing the hard part of the trip is over and we will be in protected waters, with lots of options for marinas.

Well I’ve got to get Deb up and get ready.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob

Log 68; Day 181; Nov. 18, 2008; Apalachicola, FL

Log 68
Day 181
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

4:50 AM CST
Location: Apalachicola, FL...Mile 351 on the GIWW
Weather: 52* with light winds...forecasted to be 56; sunny; and windy

I got up very early this morning...even by my standards. I woke up about 3 and could not go back to sleep so finally got up about 4:30. We are in Apalachicola, FL this morning, and planning on heading to Carrabelle. The route will take us out in Apalachicola Bay and St. George Sound, and they are predicting strong winds out of the north (depends who you listen to...they are going to be between 15 and 25 MPH) and I have been wondering/worried how that will affect our trip today. So when I woke up at 3, I kept thinking about the winds and what kind of a trip it would be. I also thought I could feel the boat being tossed a little bit...and assumed the wind had picked up as forecasted. Laying there I told myself that if the winds had picked up that much we would just stay here one more day, and let the winds settle down, and go tomorrow. So, I was certainly surprised when I got up to see that the winds were light and variable...barely moving the trees. Like most worries...wasted time.

Yesterday...we again hooked up with Good News (they caught back up to us), and made the 60+ mile inside run from Panama City to Apalachicola. We left the dock at 7:30, and the journey took us through wide open sounds...to small interior lakes...to narrow man made ditches cut through the swamps. Much of the way was not very pretty, and somewhat boring...but I’m not complaining, this certainly beats working. We arrived at Miller Marine in Apalachicola about 3 PM. Miller Marine is a just a couple of docks in the water, right on the main channel. While they do accept transients...they are really in business to support the local shrimp boats with fuel and supplies, so there is not much here for the pleasure boater. That said, they are very nice folks and made us (Good News is here too) feel very welcome. The town itself is not bad. It is a small port town that has been built around the boating world. It is also a big departure and destination point for those crossing the Gulf to and from the West Coast of Florida. It also boasts one of the top 10 oyster bars in the US (who rates these things?) so Andy, Mary, Deb and I walked a short block from the dock to see if they were right in their rating. It turned out the only person who really eats oysters is me, but it was entertaining to see the other 3 try to figure out how they could order oysters...so they would not look, or taste, like oysters. They ended up ordering them baked, with something like garlic, spinach, and other things mixed in and were very happy the only thing that resembled an oyster was the shell they served them in. I ordered a 1/2 dozen raw oysters...and they brought me 9 (for $4.50). They were very good. We were back at the boat by 6:15, and for dinner Mary made chicken with capers, and Deb made rice, and we ate on Good News. It was a good day.

Today...we are going a short 30 miles to Carrabelle, FL, the final jumping off spot between here and Florida’s west coast. From this point, the cruising gets a lot more “puckering”. Depending on where we decide to go, it will take us 1 very long day and over 170 miles to reach Clearwater, or 3 travel days of 80 miles each. Neither one is a great option, but we have to pick one, so we’ll spend a couple nights in Carrabelle getting ready. The forecast calls for a good day on Thursday (at least at this point)...but remember that is the same forecast that called for 18 MPH winds after midnight, and it’s now 5:45 and there is just a light breeze. But I’m sure the winds will be here shortly.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob

Log 67; Day 179; Nov. 16, 2008; Panama City, FL.

This is the shrimp boat at the end of our dock...he went out today to try his luck.

A couple of shots of sunset today...very pretty

Log 67
Day 179
Sunday, November 16, 2008

7:15 AM CST
Location: Panama City Marina, Panama City, FL...MM 290 on the GIWW
Weather: 48* and windy...forecasted to be 61; sunny; and breezy

The front came through here and dropped the temprature about 15 degrees. It got down to 45 last night and forecasted to go lower the next two nights. It’s bright and sunny out now, but the back deck is not warm enough yet, so I’m inside where it’s warm.

The last couple of days in Panama City have been about boat chores. On Friday we decided to move the boat from the slip they assigned us to a tie up along a long dock. We had “bowed in” to the slip and it was very tough getting off...and the dock had a huge cement post in the middle of the narrow walkway, and I could not see trying to get around that with clothes (going to the laundry) and groceries. So while we moved the boat...we got a pump out at the dock, and then tied alongside the dock...a much better place. An interesting (not fun, but interesting) thing happened while we were moving the boat. All at once the fresh water pump quit working. Amazing. So after a 1/2 hour of trouble shooting I determined we needed a new pump (I have been telling Debbie I wanted to have a backup on board just in case this happened...but had not done it yet). So, after some investigation, I found out there was a West Marine about 2 miles away, and decided to ride my bike there and get a new pump. Before I did Deb and I walked into town to get our bearings and have some lunch. A nice stop at “The Place” for local information and a great cheeseburger, and back to the boat about 1 PM. Deb headed to the laundry at the marina...I jumped on the bike and headed to West Marine. I think this is the second or third time I have ridden a bike in...oh...35 years? So the reported 2 miles to the store seemed like a WHOLE lot more, but I made it, bought a pump, and then peddled back. Back at the boat, I installed the new pump, while Deb continued with the laundry. By the end of the day we were back in business...everything on the boat worked, and clean laundry too. Just before bed time we got a hell of a storm. For two hours we watched it build out in the Gulf and head our way. It was warm, and dead calm out until the storm hit with a sudden jolt. The rain came sideways and in buckets for almost an hour. Not sure how much rain we got, but the wind blew water in the harbor and it went up over a foot. It was an interesting evening.

Saturday we spent putzing. I spent the morning looking at charts and weather for next weeks travel, and potential crossing the Gulf. Deb worked on emails and bookwork. For lunch we walked back into town to try to find a new spot...and did. The day before we had walked by a place called Gaston’s. It looked interesting, so this time we decided to eat here. The food was awesome and the service was like eating in your kitchen at home. We were the only ones in the place so they talked to us like we were part of their group, and fed us like it as well. It was great. After lunch I went back to the boat, and Deb walked the main street stopping in a couple of shops and going to Dollar General for some quick items. The afternoon was spent doing some more boat chores and me watching the NASCAR race. Dinner was leftovers, and the dinner movie was the new Indiana Jones movie...very good.

Today...is a day of rest. Both Deb and I have colds, so we’re taking turns coughing. We’re looking forward to spending the day relaxing. Deb, with a good book, and black and white movie. Me, watching everything I can about the final NASCAR race of the season, while I multitask with charts and monitoring several weather web pages (Deb has promised her famous Chili as well) It’s very sunny so it makes you feel good...but will be too cold to do much outside...which is just fine with us.

Tomorrow...we will leave Panama City and head to Apalachicola, FL...where we plan to stay for a couple of days, and then on to Carrabelle, FL where we will wait to cross the Gulf. I will be glued to the weather pages until we are safe in Clearwater.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob