Thanksgiving

It sure was a fast week docked in Dunedin.  On Saturday of our arrival we rode bikes to the local British Pub and had a great fish & chips basket for lunch.  After that it was just resting from the 24 hour crossing.  Sunday we rode bikes into town and Gary and Christelle met us via the trolley along with a couple more couples.  We had a fun time with lunch and stories.  Monday we rode our bikes to Enterprise, put them in the trunk and drove to Orlando for the holiday.  We had a great time with Abbie spending the three nights in the hotel with us.  Tuesday we went to Wonderworks and Wednesday we went to Universal Studios.  We also went shopping on Tuesday evening for Abbie's traditional birthday and Christmas present combination.  We got her a bicycle.  With all of the activities we did not have an opportunity to get it affixed with training wheels until we went to their house for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.  We had a wonderful meal at their house and then said our good-byes to drive back to Dunedin.  Friday was a day of chores before departure, including laundry and grocery shopping.

One of the few non-blurred pictures of Abbie in all of our action
 packed adventures.  Notice the first Noelle in the background.

We untied from Marker 1 Marina just before 9:00 a.m. in order to try to hit slack tide in Indian Rocks Beach where the ICW is narrow and the current is swift.  We pulled into the free dock around 11:00 a.m. and almost immediately hit the pavement to catch a trolley to Wahoo's for lunch.  Heidi met us there and we moved on to Slyce Pizza to watch the games on the outdoor patio.  Just about the time Heidi was heading off, Scott and Lisa met us there.  Scott had taken our trolling motor while in Apalachicola so we wouldn't have to worry about it sliding around and being in our way for crossing and fishing.  When they were ready to leave, they dropped it off at the boat only to get flack from the dock master that we were not to spend the night there.  Ray and I avoided going back to the boat too soon with that news and moved on to Mike's Pizza.
From Mike's Pizza Linda walked to Walmart to pick up a prescription that was called in earlier.  What pharmacy closes at 7:00 p.m.?  Of course arrival time was 7:05 p.m.  Well, that at least gave us an excuse as to why we had to spend the night at the free dock.  Ended up not having to use an excuse as we never encountered anyone.

Success

Reeling in the first fish, which was a
large king mackerel, just not what we
wanted to keep.  Sorry, no picture of
the fish.  Typical story.

We pulled up anchor out of Tysons Harbor after a morning of pacing for Ray.  It was noon on Friday, right at our intended time, all for the best predicted weather conditions.  When we first entered the open water of the Gulf of Mexico, they were three foot roller waves at the most.  We were about the second boat of at least 14 that were out there for the overnight trip.  It was really a comfortable ride the whole time with waves diminishing most of the trip.

Reeling in one of the four little tunnys (after the fight belt
broke).  They are not worth keeping either.

The highlights were the dolphins playing with us and catching fish, sometimes both at the same time, before dark.  I still need to look up what planet it must have been that was off to our starboard side upon first darkness.  Amongst the constellation, it was the star on top of the Christmas tree for me with nothing else to look at but other stars and blackness.  Some clouds rolled in and took away my Christmas tree, but soon after the last phase of the moon rose to light our way.  We overheard one boater say "I'm glad Someone turned the lights on."  There was lots of chatter over the VHF radio during the whole trip of boaters checking on each other.  It was a comfort to know so many were out there, although we rarely saw any on radar or visually.



Sunset

The partly cloudy sky blocked a clear view of the moon, but it was still brightly shining enough to give comfort in the fact that you could see the horizon, unlike prior to its rising.


Sunrise

This trip was an exact 24 hour crossing for us as we pulled into Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin, Florida at noon on Saturday.  We were both so ready for a shower, but the boat got one first.  Once we showered after that, we bicycled over to a suggested eatery, Cricketers Brittish Pub for a delicious fish and chips.  After that we bicycled into town to check out the Celtic and Craft Brew Festival in town.  We snuck in the open gate and were glad that we did, not paying the $15 each for only two breweries there.  We know where both are located and can go to them for free.  We bicycled back to the boat to watch cable TV instead.  What a luxury.  Although the TV has yet to be turned on.  Some are now into 40 minutes of a 20 minute nap.
I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story since there thankfully was not much story to tell.


Preparation for Gulf Crossing

Look at this fabulous pair!

We were the first of at least four vessels that departed the White City free dock this morning just after seven o'clock.  "Osprey", a trawler we have seen off and on since Pickensville, Mississippi must have anchored somewhere east of White City as we spotted them ahead of us in Wimico Lake.  We had the lead of the White City crew until we reached Apalachicola where we turned up Scipio Creek to fuel.  "Time & Tide" pulled into Apalachicola Marina to do the same and pick up a package they had delivered there.  "Time & Tide" got out of there just ahead of us, and kept the lead for the rest of the day.  Sailing vessel "Fair Ketch" was next in line of our caravan, but they decided to bow out and stay in Apalachicola to wait for better weather.  Apalachee Bay was a little rough, especially on the southern route with the chop on the beam.  We had prepared some loose objects for the crossing already, but the rest was planned to be stowed away after this afternoon's arrival.  That all got changed when things started falling already.  So that chore was completed sooner than expected.  Once we made the easterly turn though, the chop on the bow made the ride much better, and delightfully, the chop seemed to subside as the day progressed.  We are hoping that is a good sign for calmer than expected winds and weather for the next couple of days.
While in Apalachee Bay we overtook a couple of sailboats "Spirit" and "Cats Meow".  Gary on "Time & Tide" is always the chatty one on the VHF radio, so of course he found out that these two vessels also plan to cross the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow.
We proceeded 53 miles today, the last several being uncharted territory for us.  We have never been east of Carrabelle, Florida except out in the Gulf of Mexico.  Today we proceeded east through St. George Sound to the anchor at the eastern end of dog island in a cove called "Tysons Harbor".  We heard "Time & Tide" contact "Osprey" just as "Osprey" was turning into the cove to find out that none of us have ever been in here before.  Tow Boat U.S. obviously listened in on the conversation and advised us all how to enter the harbor and where to anchor.
Our last remaining friends from White City aboard the sailing vessel "Teasa" originally planned to anchor here too.  Actually this protected anchorage was Daniel's great idea in the first place.  Since the winds are calmer than predicted though, they stopped short and anchored at the west end of Dog Island.  That will help them to get into the Gulf of Mexico quicker tomorrow through East Pass since they are even slower than we are.  This crossing should be a piece of cake for them though as they are from Brazil and have spent 28 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
East Pass is where we usually depart when we cross the Gulf of Mexico.  With fall weather, our history, and weather predictions, we plan to try a different route this time, continuing east through St. George Sound and exiting near South Shoal to get more wind protection from the east.  We plan to pick up anchor around noon tomorrow, and hope to be tied up at Marker One Marina in Dunedin, Florida by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
If all goes as planned, we hope to rent a car at least by Monday and spend the early part of the week through Thanksgiving with Ray's daughter and granddaughter in Orlando.
A couple of hours after anchoring, Christelle from "Time & Tide" passed on the information that there are at least eight boats in Carrabelle that also plan to cross the Gulf tomorrow, one of them being "Rickshaw" whom we met in Ft. Walton Beach.  We hope this flotilla is blessed with fair winds and calm seas.

Happy 50th Birthday Ray!

We had a great time in Apalachicola.  Ray's childhood friend came to spend some time with us.  Scott arrived about an hour after we did.  Lunch was first on the agenda, oysters of course.  A lot of other boaters were in town, so it was a wonderful evening gathering of friends, old and new.  Almost all of those boaters left on Sunday, some to stage themselves for a crossing on Monday, at least one kept on going.  Scott drove us around to see other sights, such as Port St. Joe and Panama City Beach.  All reports of boaters were successful, with Monday seeming to be the better day to leave than Sunday.
Monday was a very foggy day around Apalachicola, but as Scott drove us to other places not so far away, the weather seemed to change with every location.  St. George Island was explored from one end to the other, although we did not bother to walk the 92 steps up in the lighthouse with the poor visibility.
Tuesday morning Linda was unsuccessful in finding the cinnamon rolls Ray wanted for his birthday breakfast.  There were no hours on the shop with the sign for them homemade, so Scott and Ray tried again after nine o'clock.  It still was not open, but they came back with some huge delicious cinnamon rolls.  I guess you have to ask the locals.  They found a bake shop that we never knew was there.  I will still have to see it for myself next time.  Along with the brewery that is to be opening there.
Once laundry was complete, Scott headed home and we headed back the way we came from.  Ray decided he wanted to spend his birthday with friends back at White City.  Much cheaper with the free dock and beers already on the boat even with the half bushel of oysters and three pounds of shrimp we brought along fresh from the seafood market.
We had so much fun gathered under the pavilion grilling the seafood and even enjoying homemade birthday cake thanks to Christelle.

Oysters!

The fog delayed us slightly this morning, making for a 6:30 departure.  We were fighting the current until we crossed Lake Wimico, then got an awesome push.  Our phones never changed to the Eastern Time Zone somewhere on the lake either, although we were actually in it at White City.  That's when we observed the time change.  Although we arrived in Apalachicola at 10:30, it was only three hours of travel.  We started on the oysters for lunch.  They were so worth the wait!

Right after seeing this bald eagle, we spotted another in flight.

White City

A peaceful night's sleep gave way to an early departure again.  A light rain was falling.  By six o'clock we had the anchor up out of Pearl Bayou.  Six thirty came with the morning bugle of the Air Force Base as we left it in our wake.  The rain continued all day.  It was an uneventful 36 miles of travel to the free dock in White City, Florida.  The city has nothing to offer, but the free dock does have water and 110 electricity.  It took a few attempts for Linda to get to the dock against the wind and current.  We pulled the boat back to make room for "Time & Tide" who arrived about an hour after we did.  Gary and Christelle had dinner with us and treated us to dessert, which was thoroughly enjoyed.

Friends

Ray and Gary from "Time & Tide".  Here are the twin boys on
Tuesday solving the world problems.  I got caught taking their
 picture. Both no shoes, beige shorts, blue shirts, same hair line
and same personalities.

We had such a good time in Ft. Walton Beach, despite the cold and windy weather.  Tuesday morning the girls walked up to Publix for some shopping, stopping at other shops on the way.  Tuesday afternoon we got laundry done.  Tuesday night we were invited, along with Daniel and Angela from "Teasa", whom have been traveling with "Time & Tide" since Michigan, over to "Time & Tide" for spaghetti dinner and Mexican Train.  We had so many laughs.  Daniel and Angela are from Brazil and taught themselves English by reading Skipper Bob waterway guide books.  Some of our American slang was lost on them, but they were such good sports.
The winds picked up out of the north and bounced us off the dock and back into it all night.  What do you want for free though, right?
Wednesday was another trip to Publix since the sales changed, and we pumped out.  Not much else was done besides making a Crock Pot full of potato and ham soup with the chilly temperatures and nasty wind chill.
The east winds on Wednesday night made for a choppy ICW channel, clapping the bottom of the boat and squeaking us up against the dock.  Therefore it wasn't hard to get up and get underway by six o'clock this morning.
The east winds made the Choctawhatchee Bay moderately choppy, but we have been in it in worse.  It improved as we traveled east and allowed for baked apple French toast to be made and enjoyed by mid morning.
It was an uneventful day with the first episodes of dolphins jumping in our bow wake this morning.  They must have been extra frisky in the chilly weather as they jumped way out of the water several times.
It took us ten and a half hours at 2300 RPMs to maintain 7 miles and hour to travel 72 miles today.  We are anchored in Pearl Bayou which is right next to Tyndall Air Force Base.  We anchored just in time to hear the National Anthem a half hour after our arrival.

Bald eagle on a short dead tree hanging over the bank.