Awww come on get that poor bird a peg leg or something.
No this is not a bad "Titanic" King of the World imitation.
I'm pointing to crab pot bouys that are everywhere in the Gulf.
You run over one of those and you will be dragging it behind
you in your prop till you get out your snorkel gear and knife!
Crystal River Florida pulling into Twin River Marina.
Captain Steve at the helm. 85 mile blue water shot from
the end of the Florida Pan Handle to Steinhatchee Fl.
Steinhatchee Sunrise
Stardate 2011.28; Captains log:
The captain grows restless awaiting fuel truck arrival at Crystal River Marina. All hope may be lost....oh wait there is another marina 2 miles up river that has gas. "Sulu, plot a new heading to "Pete's Pier Marina!" Well... as we have found out gas trucks on the Florida "Big Bend" (the end of the Pan Handle to Clearwater) must take really long lunches or forget appointments all together?! We have run into the "waiting on the fuel truck to arrive" scenario several times at our marina fuel stops. No complaints what-so-ever. I mean really, if that is the only issue we have had or will have on this trip?!
Will be arriving at Clearwater this weekend and have a folder full of recommendations of where to eat, drink, and be merry from local boaters and fishermen. Everyone has their favorite and their non-favorite recommendations. A bar recommendation from one of the locals here at Crystal River called "Manhandlers" will be one my Father and I will NOT be frequenting...what was that all about?! Anyway, looking forward to the 1000 foot pier and the white sand beach within walking distance from Clearwater Municipal Marina where we intend to dock up. Our family will be coming down for a weeks vacation in Orlando and picking us up on the 6th of November. I may just get to race my Nephew Brady down the water slide at Blizzard Beach on the Disney property...we shall see.
So one issue that has to be paid attention at all times while we travel the Florida coast and up the Carolina's is THE TIDE!! That baby can drop a water level 3 feet and that makes for a very bad day when your boat needs 42" (as ours does) and the depth finder on board states less than 4' of water under your boat! That has not happened to us since we are overly careful but remember, Tide Charts are your friend! They of course are the main factor in your travel times in and out of port for overnight stay or fuel up. In other words, you have to time your departures and arrivals around high tide which rarely coincide with your comfort zone. There have been many days of leaving at the first break of sun on the horizon and risking docking in the dark to make sure you do not run aground or snap a prop. But that of course is the fun of it all!!! It makes it all worth it when you travel slowly down a river, put the boat on idol, and watch a group of manatees feed in the marshes.
So tomorrow is the last open run on the Gulf as we will be back traveling the Intercoarstal Waterway once again. Up at daybreak, grap my coffee, slather up in suntan lotion and enjoy the salt wind in my face for 90 miles one last time into the bay at Clearwater! Cheers my friends. It's Friday night and 5:3o; enjoy the weekend!!
No comments:
Post a Comment