Crossing the Gulf

It's been rainy, cool and lots of wind. Not the best conditions to be on the ocean, let alone cross 175 miles of open water. But we were patient (can you believe it) and traveled with another Endeavour 44 Trawlercat, and arrived yesterday in fine fashion in Tarpon Springs, Fl. Our last blog had us sitting in Carrabelle in the panhandle of Florida for 3 long days. Nothing against Carrabelle, but there is not alot to do there. At this time of year, Mother Nature loves to smash her big cold and warm air masses right over the southern coast of the US. Even the forecasters admit that they have a much harder time getting close this time of year. I rely on Shelley's forecast however. She is very good at gathering information from several websites, and getting a pretty accurate picture of what we will expect with the weather.

Our cruising buddies, Bob and Marily Peterson from Louisville had another couple with them, Bob and Dana Neal from Biloxi Mississippi. With the weather so unpredictable none of us wanted to make an overnight crossing and take the chance of getting caught far from a safe harbor in 30 knot winds. So we broke it up into two days...two long days (85 and 120miles). In fact we covered more water in either of these two days, than we had any other day doing the Loop.

We waited for the latest possible start time from Carrabelle on Tuesday, as we feared the Gulf was going to be very confused and waves 3-4 ft. We wanted to let it settle down after a busy night. It had not, so we spent the first 3 hours beating into some crazy waves. Pretty much everything on the walls came down to the floor and we had to go slow as the boat pounded into the waves. That was not much fun. But thankfully things settled down, and we were able to get up on plane, and get across the 85 miles to Steinhatchee. Both boats hit the bed early that night as we were all worn out, but happy to be past the worst of it.

The next morning's forecast called for calm winds early, then getting bumpy after lunch. We had 110 miles from Steinhatchee to Anclote Key on the straight line once we got outside. We left in the dark, and it took 40 minutes to get from the dock out to the outer mark of Steinhatchee, as it is very shallow for miles out into the Gulf. But once there, we got to our cruise speed of 17 mph, and were tucking in behind Anclote Key around 1:30. It was a great run. Shelley's forecast was right on.

Tarpon Springs is a small village on the edge of the Gulf whose past is tied to the Gulf. Naturally there are many fishing and crab and shrimp boats tied to the docks. But what gives Tarpon its real character are the Greek sponge divers who immigrated here in the early 1900's. Walking around town the Greek language is spoken everywhere, especially in the bar's and exclusive men's game rooms. No women allowed where they are playing cards and backgammon.

We found lots of good Greek food for dinner last night and lunch today. And so do the tourists. Busloads of them. It reminded me of a small Caribbean town when a 4000 passenger cruise ship drops into port for the day. Lots of gifts shops, T-shirts, ice cream stores, nick-nakes and restaurants. After Carrabelle and Steinhatchee, this is quite the opposite place to visit. Maybe just a bit too far the other way for me.

Now we are back in the protected waters of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway from here south to the Everglades. There are many places to gunkhole around as we go south, and we hope to drop our anchor into many of them. Hope you can join us.

Marc and Shelley

It's been so gloomy that I have no photos to post with this issue. Sorry.