As we departed Pensacola for points East, the dolphins were leading the way.
Our first stop after Pensacola was Destin. Just the other side of the bridge we stayed at Harborwalk where the large building, a new condo, was under construction. Bonnie had to be careful entering the marina due to shoaling just the other side of the bridge. Docked with no problems other than many many boats all around on this beautiful week end.
One night in Panama City then on to Apalachicola to wait for a weather window so we can cross the Gulf to St. Petesburg. We waited for one extra day while storms passed with 20-25 knot winds. We then departed Apalachicola and passed the downtown area and the vessel "God's Blessings" trusting that God would bless us a little more than the vessel bearing that name.
We were most fortunate to travel from Apalachicola to St. Petersburg with LUCKY STAR, Bob and Jan Christensen and their son Rob. We first met Bob and Jan in Peterboro, Ontario, then again in Charlevoix, Michigan. The meetings of new good friends is part of what makes this trip so terrific.
We departed the closed and protected waters of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway via the "Government Cut" south of Apalachicola. Water was predicted to be waves 1-3 feet, winds NNW shifting to the East at 10-15. Everything aboard SONATA was secured for sea, for the crossing.
We departed Apalachicola just after noon, at about 1:30pm. Later, as the sun set, we prepared for the overnight passage, radar working well, LUCKY STAR about 3/4 mile behind us, and the seas were moderate. Prayers answered.
At about 6:30am on Friday, the 15th, we were able to announce "Land-Ho" as we approached Clearwater, Florida. A daylight approach to the coast is required due to the many crab pots, floats, along the coast and channel entrances.
Closer to the entrance into Clearwater, Florida, the condo buildings and surrounding area came into full view showing the beauty and reason so many retire to Florida.
Homes along the quiet waters of the waterway.
Streets now parallel the waterway as we moved from Clearwater to St. Petersburg.
In addition to the road traffic parallel to the waterway, there was an abundance of small craft boaters that shared the waterway with us.
Shortly after we tied up at the Gulfport Municipal Marina near St. Petersburg we were joined by Jane, a dear friend of Bonnie's. Jane was gracious to became our skilled "tour-guide" for the next two days.
Saturday morning we were off to Tarpon Springs, into the Greek World of sponges. We learned how sponges were, are, harvested from the sea and made a purchase. We also learned again how good Greek food can be.
Everyone is all smiles as we wait for our lunch at "MAREIPEION MYKONOS Florida's Most Authentic Greek Cookery". The girls shared a Greek Salad and a sandwich . . . Charlie had papoutsaki (fresh eggplant stuffed and baked with ground beef and bechamel sauce).
Not unlike the ocean front in Virginia Beach, everything is for sale in Tarpon Springs, from Greek belly-dancing outfits, to flip-flops, T-shirts, Crocks, sponges, candy, tours . . . they have it all.
Some of the fleet at rest in port.
Jan, Bob, and Rob Christensen of LUCKY STAR. There was a photo opportunity as we prepared for Bonnie's return to Virginia Beach for the week and Rob prepared to return home having helped his parents make the Gulf crossing.
On the way to brunch Jane took us by the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, a St. Petersburg hotel which has been recently carefully restored to its old beauty.
Brunch was at the Columbia Restraurant (www.columbiarestaurant.com/st_petersburg.asp) which is on the Pier in St. Petersburg. The BOUNTY was moored just outside our windows.
Pelicans posing outside the restaurant near the Pier, heads bowed as we go past and Bonnie is off to fly away to Virginia Beach for the week. Next stops, planned in "pencil", are Venice, Captiva, Marco Island, Shark River, Marathon, and Key West.
Jane and Steve, first met on the Trent Severn Waterway in Canada, were in the Tampa area visiting their relatives and met us for lunch then joined us for the trip from Gulfport Marina in St. Petersburg down to the Crow's Nest Marina in Venice.
After leaving Venice and saying goodbye to our friends Jane and Steve we continuied down the Intercoastal Waterway on our way to Sanibel.
Moored at the Sanibel Marina we were off on our bikes to rent a scooter. Bonnie made a huge mistake . . . got on a scooter behind Charlie for a tour of Sanibel and Captiva. A morning and afternoon of beautiful sights and intense fear (according to Charlie, Bonnie was unconcerned).
A very nice lunch and then walks through some of the shops.
Bob and Mary Jane, tennis friends from Virginia Beach that live in Captiva during the winter, joined us on board SONATA for a pleasant afternoon visit.
Winds were out of the NNW reportedly 15-20, however, suspect it was closer to 20-25. Seas and wind would be on the stern and starboard quarter . . . so off we went down the west coast from Sanibel to Marco Island. This view is from the 11th floor condo occupied by our Fort Loudon, Tennessee, looper friends we first met at Cape May and again in Knoxville.
Mike and Pat Sullivan were terrific! They met us at the dock shortly after our arrival at Marco Island and took us to lunch, then off to tour Marco Island, the condos, the homes. A stop for a little shopping and then dinner at the condo they are enjoying for two months while their boat, IRISH EYES, rests on the Tennessee River at the Ft. Loudon Yacht Club.
The morning of the 28th, the weather again 15-20 out of the NNE . . . and we are off to Shark River and the Everglades.
Another day on the water and a day of surfing, wind and seas off the stern, and we arrived at Shark River to join some other boats that had ducked in to get off the Gulf.
Sunset on Shark River, at anchor, N25-19.627 W081-08.563, and then the night sounds began. During the star filled night and in the deep darkness of the Everglades, SONATA sounded like she was sitting in a hot oily skillet that received a continuious sprinkling of water. A crackling, popping, sound all under SONATA. The sound comes from small shrimp, not the kind you see in a shrimp salad, but little fellows eating the growths on the bottom of the boat. Other sounds were the calls of the manatee which were similar to an owl's slow hoot . . . also, coming from under the boat. Step outside on deck and the night was silent except for the noises in the mangroves. A look to the sky revealed falling stars as they streaked across the sky. God's world is so beautiful!
Sunrise and the promise of another beautiful day as we depart Shark River for Key West. Winds have now shifted to the East, but still 10-15 with gusts to 20-25.
the seas rolling behind us pushed us toward Key West sometimes at a speed of 9-10 knots as we surfed down-hill. Saw a turtle that had to be 6x8 but by the time you reach for and turn the camera on . . . they are gone.
Found two cruise ships were docked at Key West when we came out of the Northwest Channel into the main shipping channel to Key West on our way to out marina dock in the Key West Bight.
Then off on the bikes to tour Key West with Bob and Jan Christensen, LUCKY STAR. The ladies enjoy going from shop to shop then we stop at......................
Jimmy Buffett's Original Maragritaville Cafe for lunch.
Bonnie and Jan, a little more shopping . . . then we were off to see Hemmingway and the rest of Key West.
A picture of the man inside his house where he lived with wife #3 before moving to Cuba. It was at this Key West location that Hemmingway wrote most of his books.
This Key West Light House sits in front of Hemmingway's house and is reportedly the light he used to find his way home from downtown Key West.
A pure tourist shot, standing at the southern most point in the continental United States. Back on the bikes and a completed tour of the island with a stop for some groceries and still another coffee pot . . . the last one jumped off the counter when making the passage from Shark River to Key West. Our next adventure will be off to see the Dry Tortugas by seaplane; see: www.seaplanesofkeywest.com. More later...........
