We have spent the last few days luxuriating in the beautiful weather here in the Keys. Temperatures continued to be in the low to mid 80s with sunshine and light breezes every day. It will be a real shock to our systems when we fly back to New Jersey tomorrow with temperatures there expected to be in the low 30s with gusty northwest winds forecast for our landing in Newark!
Besides completing various boat chores like changing the main engines' oil and making some minor repairs, we've enjoyed several lunches out at the "Hurricane" right next to the Banana Bay property. We also attended the Marathon Boat Parade on Saturday night which we viewed from the "famous" (some might say "infamous") "Sombrero Dockside Lounge". All the boats were decorated with Christmas lights and most of the crews were also dressed in Christmas costumes. It was fun watching the boats and also the Keys "characters" on the docks. You might say we just soaked up the local "Pirate" atmosphere and, in fact, there was a group called "The Pirates of the Marquesas" who ran a 50/50 raffle to buy bicycles for some of the local under-privileged kids for Christmas.
The next day we took Andrew and Sallyann to Big Pine Key and introduced them to another one of our favorite places - "The No Name Pub". It is in an out-of-the way spot on the way to No Name Key, a somewhat remote mangrove island off Spanish Channel. We first came here many years ago with our friends, Don and Joanie Shields, with whom we spent many wonderful times in the Keys. Don passed away a number of years ago, but Joanie still spends 5 - 6 months a year here, and we are looking forward to seeing her here soon.
Last night we had a "Clean Out the Refrigerator/Freezer" dinner aboard with Andrew and Sallyann and we did a good job finishing off the items on our very eclectic menu! Today we packed our bags, and readied the boat for our departure tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. We are anxious to see our friends and next-door neighbors, Ernie and Kay Giordano, who will be picking us up at the airport, and whom we haven't seen in many months. It will be great also seeing Pat's mom, who we hope to have back in her apartment before Christmas, and to enjoy getting together during our 10 days at home with some of our other family members and friends. Our visit will go by very quickly, because we plan to return to Banana Bay with our convertible on 12/28 in order to celebrate the New Year here with our friends, Lou and Judy Ianniello. We are looking forward to a busy and joyous Christmas holiday!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
12/8 - 12/10 - Marathon, Florida
"Reflection" at her winter slip at Banana Bay Resort
"Pretty Joe Rock" just off the marina entrance
Tiki bar at pool side.
Hot tub area.
The largest pool in the Florida Keys. (Air temperature 82 degrees - water temperature about the same.)
Getting ready for Christmas aboard "Reflection". .
For the last few days we have been getting acclimated to our new surroundings and getting used to the idea that we are "home" and not on the move for awhile! "Reflection" has gone 3,660 miles since we left Seawood Harbor on 6/6 and by the time we leave the boat next week for Christmas in New Jersey, we'll have spent 169 nights aboard!
The temperatures here have been in the low to mid 80s with lots of humidity, and the water temperatures are in the low 80s. These conditions are quite a contrast to those we encountered on our entire trip south this summer and fall, and very different from the windy, cold, and rain/snowy weather we've been hearing about up north.
We rented a car to get around Marathon, which runs for about 11 miles and 13 islands along Highway 1. We began our "love affair" with this area when we first visited it aboard a sailboat we had chartered in 1986, and at one time we even owned two homes with four rental units here. However, lots of things have changed over the years, and various stores and businesses have come and gone, so we wanted to drive around and see what the current conditions were. After mailing our Christmas cards at the Post Office, we knew that Andrew and Sallyann really didn't know anything about the area, so we picked them up and took them on a driving tour of some of our favorite places including "Herbie's" for lunch, Key Colony, and Sombrero Beach followed by visits to some of the larger box stores and grocery shopping.
On the next day George began to clean the upper decks of the boat, followed by a swim in the resort's pool, while Pat decorated the inside of the boat for Christmas. George continued to clean the outside of the boat on Thursday while Pat did the laundry, and then we decorated the outside of the boat with Christmas lights along with a big red bow on the bow light! We also had a quick lunch at the "Hurricane" next door to the resort, and in the evening went to the Marathon Cinema (where you sit at tables and chairs and can purchase wine and beer with your popcorn and hot dogs) with Andrew and Sallyann to see "Blind Side", a terrific up-lifting movie about football player, Michael Oher.
The temperatures here have been in the low to mid 80s with lots of humidity, and the water temperatures are in the low 80s. These conditions are quite a contrast to those we encountered on our entire trip south this summer and fall, and very different from the windy, cold, and rain/snowy weather we've been hearing about up north.
We rented a car to get around Marathon, which runs for about 11 miles and 13 islands along Highway 1. We began our "love affair" with this area when we first visited it aboard a sailboat we had chartered in 1986, and at one time we even owned two homes with four rental units here. However, lots of things have changed over the years, and various stores and businesses have come and gone, so we wanted to drive around and see what the current conditions were. After mailing our Christmas cards at the Post Office, we knew that Andrew and Sallyann really didn't know anything about the area, so we picked them up and took them on a driving tour of some of our favorite places including "Herbie's" for lunch, Key Colony, and Sombrero Beach followed by visits to some of the larger box stores and grocery shopping.
On the next day George began to clean the upper decks of the boat, followed by a swim in the resort's pool, while Pat decorated the inside of the boat for Christmas. George continued to clean the outside of the boat on Thursday while Pat did the laundry, and then we decorated the outside of the boat with Christmas lights along with a big red bow on the bow light! We also had a quick lunch at the "Hurricane" next door to the resort, and in the evening went to the Marathon Cinema (where you sit at tables and chairs and can purchase wine and beer with your popcorn and hot dogs) with Andrew and Sallyann to see "Blind Side", a terrific up-lifting movie about football player, Michael Oher.
12/7 - Marathon, Florida
This morning we finally had the weather window we wanted to comfortably make the 110 mile Gulf of Mexico crossing to our winter home at Banana Bay Resort and Marina in Marathon, Florida. We left the Naples City Docks at 6:40 a.m. and by 7 a.m. we cleared Gordon Pass and entered the Gulf. The wind blew lightly out of the south with a slight northwest swell. The wind and waves lightened even more during the day as the sun shone brightly and temperatures eventually rose into the low 80s.
What an absolutely wonderful trip it was, and by 2:30 p.m. we started to see the outline of the Keys and the Seven Mile Bridge emerging on the horizon. Along the way "Freedom" followed us slightly behind or along-side, and "Holiday VII", who had left a little later than we did, traveled approximately 8 miles behind. We were in frequent radio-contact, and we were able to warn our "buddy boats" about the many crab-pots we had to avoid along our route.
As "Reflection" and "Freedom" approached Marathon, we broke off onto different headings which would take us to separate marinas for the first time since 10/29 when we started out from Rogersville, Alabama together! We said a poignant "good-bye" to each other over the radio, even though we'll only be 1 1/2 miles away apart over the winter. Having spent 40 days and gone 1268 miles together in all kinds of conditions was significant, and we had lots of fun along the way!
As we finally turned into the entrance of Banana Bay Marina at 4:30 p.m., we could see the dock-master, Billy, waiting for us with some of our new boat neighbors to welcome us into our slip and to take our lines. Finally after almost an hour of setting up lines, screens, electric cords, and cable TV, we were settled in to Captain George's satisfaction. Though tired after our long day, when we sat down on our aft deck to see the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico, we reveled in the absolute beauty of this wonderful place, and were thankful for all the blessings God has given us to make this trip and our winter stay here possible. It is truly a dream come true!
What an absolutely wonderful trip it was, and by 2:30 p.m. we started to see the outline of the Keys and the Seven Mile Bridge emerging on the horizon. Along the way "Freedom" followed us slightly behind or along-side, and "Holiday VII", who had left a little later than we did, traveled approximately 8 miles behind. We were in frequent radio-contact, and we were able to warn our "buddy boats" about the many crab-pots we had to avoid along our route.
As "Reflection" and "Freedom" approached Marathon, we broke off onto different headings which would take us to separate marinas for the first time since 10/29 when we started out from Rogersville, Alabama together! We said a poignant "good-bye" to each other over the radio, even though we'll only be 1 1/2 miles away apart over the winter. Having spent 40 days and gone 1268 miles together in all kinds of conditions was significant, and we had lots of fun along the way!
As we finally turned into the entrance of Banana Bay Marina at 4:30 p.m., we could see the dock-master, Billy, waiting for us with some of our new boat neighbors to welcome us into our slip and to take our lines. Finally after almost an hour of setting up lines, screens, electric cords, and cable TV, we were settled in to Captain George's satisfaction. Though tired after our long day, when we sat down on our aft deck to see the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico, we reveled in the absolute beauty of this wonderful place, and were thankful for all the blessings God has given us to make this trip and our winter stay here possible. It is truly a dream come true!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
12/1 - 12/6 - Naples, Florida
The offending part. This little $9.00 starting solenoid came between us and leaving for Marathon, Florida.
Sunrise over Naples Harbor
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We have spent the past six days here in a slip at the Naples City Docks waiting a weather window for us to safely make our final Gulf crossing to our winter home port in Marathon, Florida. Some days have been sunny and warm, but we also have had our share of rain and wind as various fronts have passed over us.
We have shopped at the "Tin City" complex of stores in town, had lunch at the "Riverfront Café" there, and had a great dinner at "The Boathouse" on the waterfront. Some days we've had quiet evenings aboard by ourselves catching up with Cable TV, but we've also had pizza delivered, partaken of Andrew and Sallyann's great Turkey Pot Pie, and shared several "Happy Hours" with them.
George and Andrew have also gone on long bike rides to procure a replacement starting solenoid for our starboard engine, and a bike basket among other items. Sallyann was also happy to discover a bakery within walking distance, and everyday she took Tut out for at least one stroll on his leash. Pat was happy to catch up on her reading, made phone calls, wrote emails, placed Christmas gift orders, and signed Christmas cards to be sent out shortly.
We have also been in touch with Richard Walker aboard "Holiday VII", who led us down the Tenn-Tom Waterway to Mobile, Alabama. Richard and his wife, Carol, went home to Memphis for Thanksgiving and returned to their boat in Gulfport, Florida this week. They are on their way to meet us here, and all three boats plan to leave together tomorrow morning for our various marina locations in Marathon. At this point we haven't determined whether we will complete the 100+ mile crossing in one or two days, but we are all greatly looking forward to finally getting to our winter head-quarters!
We have shopped at the "Tin City" complex of stores in town, had lunch at the "Riverfront Café" there, and had a great dinner at "The Boathouse" on the waterfront. Some days we've had quiet evenings aboard by ourselves catching up with Cable TV, but we've also had pizza delivered, partaken of Andrew and Sallyann's great Turkey Pot Pie, and shared several "Happy Hours" with them.
George and Andrew have also gone on long bike rides to procure a replacement starting solenoid for our starboard engine, and a bike basket among other items. Sallyann was also happy to discover a bakery within walking distance, and everyday she took Tut out for at least one stroll on his leash. Pat was happy to catch up on her reading, made phone calls, wrote emails, placed Christmas gift orders, and signed Christmas cards to be sent out shortly.
We have also been in touch with Richard Walker aboard "Holiday VII", who led us down the Tenn-Tom Waterway to Mobile, Alabama. Richard and his wife, Carol, went home to Memphis for Thanksgiving and returned to their boat in Gulfport, Florida this week. They are on their way to meet us here, and all three boats plan to leave together tomorrow morning for our various marina locations in Marathon. At this point we haven't determined whether we will complete the 100+ mile crossing in one or two days, but we are all greatly looking forward to finally getting to our winter head-quarters!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
11/30 - Naples, Florida
The Gulf of Mexico, finally a smooth sea..
Our original plan was to go to Fort Myers Beach, but with the looming bad weather reports about heavy winds and rain coming during the middle of the week, we were reluctant to get caught in Fort Myers and then not be able to travel on the Gulf for many days.
There is no "inside" route to Naples from Fort Myers Beach - you must travel outside. Today's conditions would be just what we wanted, so we quickly changed our plans and untied our boats at 7:30 a.m. It would be more favorable to make this jump now, and if the weather stayed foul, we could still move on through an inside route to Marco Island, if necessary.
It was a beautiful morning again, and the conditions were calm and smooth. George managed to cancel our slip reservations in Fort Myers Beach, Sallyann and Pat made phone calls to various marinas in Naples, and we were finally able to make arrangements to stay in Naples at the Naples City Docks at the reasonable rate of $1.50 per foot rather than at other locations that wanted $2.50 - $3.50 per foot (plus tax and electric).
There is no "inside" route to Naples from Fort Myers Beach - you must travel outside. Today's conditions would be just what we wanted, so we quickly changed our plans and untied our boats at 7:30 a.m. It would be more favorable to make this jump now, and if the weather stayed foul, we could still move on through an inside route to Marco Island, if necessary.
It was a beautiful morning again, and the conditions were calm and smooth. George managed to cancel our slip reservations in Fort Myers Beach, Sallyann and Pat made phone calls to various marinas in Naples, and we were finally able to make arrangements to stay in Naples at the Naples City Docks at the reasonable rate of $1.50 per foot rather than at other locations that wanted $2.50 - $3.50 per foot (plus tax and electric).
Unfortunately, last evening Pat received a phone call from her brother informing her that her beloved Uncle George had passed away. She called her Aunt Mae, his wife, this morning to express her condolences, and to tell her how much this wonderful man meant to her. Pat had been the flower-girl at their wedding many years ago and was always close to them. We will not be able to attend his funeral on Wednesday morning, but we will will be with his family in spirit on that day. He will be greatly missed!
We did stop in Fort Myers Beach to take on fuel at Ballard Oil Company, where the diesel was priced at $2.53 per gallon (including tax) - a bargain price for our trip! At noon we headed out Matanzas Pass into the Gulf, which was absolutely beautiful, and the complete antithesis of our trip last week. After 24 miles we headed into Gordon Pass and up the Naples River bordered by one beautiful home after another. By 4:00 p.m. we were all tied up and settled in. Andrew and Sallyann came over for "Happy Hour" and we enjoyed a beautiful Florida sunset.
We did stop in Fort Myers Beach to take on fuel at Ballard Oil Company, where the diesel was priced at $2.53 per gallon (including tax) - a bargain price for our trip! At noon we headed out Matanzas Pass into the Gulf, which was absolutely beautiful, and the complete antithesis of our trip last week. After 24 miles we headed into Gordon Pass and up the Naples River bordered by one beautiful home after another. By 4:00 p.m. we were all tied up and settled in. Andrew and Sallyann came over for "Happy Hour" and we enjoyed a beautiful Florida sunset.
11/29 - Cabbage Key, Florida
Sallyann and Andrew at Cabbage Key Inn, and yes, that is money on the wall behind them. 
Money, money, money. There is said to be over $50,000 on the walls and ceilings of the Cabbage Key Inn..
We did not leave our slip until 11 a.m. and today's trip was glorious! The inland waters were smooth, the sky was a clear blue, the sun was shining, and we were finally WARM!
Many dolphins jumped and played around our boat, while pelicans dove for fish. With island beach music playing on our CD player, we had a relatively short 25 mile trip to Cabbage Key where we planned to dock for the evening and have dinner.
The Cabbage Key Inn is rumored to be the place about which Jimmy Buffett was inspired to write "Cheeseburgers in Paradise". Its walls and ceilings were covered with decades of dollar bills several layers thick signed by its patrons. It is thought that there are over 50,000 of them!
Rather than being like a Key West style bar, the inn was quite lovely with fireplaces, a screened porch, and old-fashioned deck chairs. On the other hand, the menu was pricey, they had no Rose's Lime Juice for gimlets, and the food was just okay. We guess we paid for the island ambience and beautiful view! No matter what, it was a wonderful day!
Many dolphins jumped and played around our boat, while pelicans dove for fish. With island beach music playing on our CD player, we had a relatively short 25 mile trip to Cabbage Key where we planned to dock for the evening and have dinner.
The Cabbage Key Inn is rumored to be the place about which Jimmy Buffett was inspired to write "Cheeseburgers in Paradise". Its walls and ceilings were covered with decades of dollar bills several layers thick signed by its patrons. It is thought that there are over 50,000 of them!
Rather than being like a Key West style bar, the inn was quite lovely with fireplaces, a screened porch, and old-fashioned deck chairs. On the other hand, the menu was pricey, they had no Rose's Lime Juice for gimlets, and the food was just okay. We guess we paid for the island ambience and beautiful view! No matter what, it was a wonderful day!
11/28 - Englewood, Florida
One of the many bridges we encountered on our way to Englewood, Fl. 
Venice Avenue Bridge Venice Fl.
Sunset view from our slip at Royal Palm Marina
Another look.
Cocktails and laundry. Pat having an adult beverage while doing wash at the outside laundry..
Even though "Reflection" has a washer-dryer combo aboard, it is really for only light capacity items, so with a week's worth of sheets, and towels, etc., Pat and Sallyann were in a search to find a marina with laundry along our path.
Sallyann located Royal Palm Marina, 55 miles along our route, and we arrived there about 2 p.m. Doing laundry then became our activity for the next 6 hours, as she and Pat did several loads each in the marina's one washer and dryer. No one else had a chance, as the "New Jersey Girls" had the machines commandeered!
The captains entertained themselves by having beers at the Tiki Bar, and watching the televised football games there between carrying loads of clean wash back to the boats.
Sallyann located Royal Palm Marina, 55 miles along our route, and we arrived there about 2 p.m. Doing laundry then became our activity for the next 6 hours, as she and Pat did several loads each in the marina's one washer and dryer. No one else had a chance, as the "New Jersey Girls" had the machines commandeered!
The captains entertained themselves by having beers at the Tiki Bar, and watching the televised football games there between carrying loads of clean wash back to the boats.
11/27 - Bradenton, Florida
Sunshine Skyline Bridge across Tampa Bay
The Newtons' cat "Tut" pays us a visit..
Though Sallyann was still not feeling completely up to par, we slipped our dock-lines before 7:30 a.m. to continue our trip south about 38 miles to an anchorage on the Manatee River.
The trip today took us through a number of bridges necessitating our taking down our antennas so that we could sneak under them, and at some we had to request openings. We also now passed through a very well-marked waterway with many beautiful homes on the shores.
Finally we entered enormous Tampa Bay with its Sunshine Skyline Bridge and headed across the ship channel through some choppy waters to our anchorage just off the Bradenton Yacht Club. Both boats were rafted together for a while, but in the interest of safety, and because of the breeze, the wakes, and the current, "Freedom" eventually broke off and anchored a little away from us for the night.
The trip today took us through a number of bridges necessitating our taking down our antennas so that we could sneak under them, and at some we had to request openings. We also now passed through a very well-marked waterway with many beautiful homes on the shores.
Finally we entered enormous Tampa Bay with its Sunshine Skyline Bridge and headed across the ship channel through some choppy waters to our anchorage just off the Bradenton Yacht Club. Both boats were rafted together for a while, but in the interest of safety, and because of the breeze, the wakes, and the current, "Freedom" eventually broke off and anchored a little away from us for the night.
11/26 - Clearwater, Florida
Thanksgiving dessert is at the ready baked by the Newtons on their boat. 
The turkey is in "Reflection's" oven.
The table is set for dinner.
Thanksgiving morning dawned bright and sunny, but the temperatures were in the 40s and the wind was still blowing strongly out of the north. However, the crews of both boats had planned an elaborate Thanksgiving feast for 3 p.m. aboard "Reflection" when the temperature would be around 70 with lighter winds, so cooking preparations had begun early with a background of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on T.V.
The table was set on our back deck and a wonderful dinner it was! We prepared the Roast Turkey with Sausage Stuffing and Gravy, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls, and "Freedom" brought the Jellied Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, String Bean Casserole, and home-made Apple Pie. Knowing the precision of both captains, everything was timed to a "T", and after our blessing in which we thanked God for all the wonderful gifts he has bestowed on us, all the food was ready to eat exactly on time!
After our delicious meal, we toasted again with champagne and chocolates, but how we could eat any more was a mystery. Tut, the cat, even joined us for turkey bits. He had previously sent us a Thanksgiving Card mentioning that he would like white meat lightly basted with no bones and not dried out. We definitely complied with "King" Tut's request! After dividing up the left-overs, the Newtons returned to their boat, Pat did the dishes, and we retired early.
The table was set on our back deck and a wonderful dinner it was! We prepared the Roast Turkey with Sausage Stuffing and Gravy, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls, and "Freedom" brought the Jellied Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, String Bean Casserole, and home-made Apple Pie. Knowing the precision of both captains, everything was timed to a "T", and after our blessing in which we thanked God for all the wonderful gifts he has bestowed on us, all the food was ready to eat exactly on time!
After our delicious meal, we toasted again with champagne and chocolates, but how we could eat any more was a mystery. Tut, the cat, even joined us for turkey bits. He had previously sent us a Thanksgiving Card mentioning that he would like white meat lightly basted with no bones and not dried out. We definitely complied with "King" Tut's request! After dividing up the left-overs, the Newtons returned to their boat, Pat did the dishes, and we retired early.
11/25 - Clearwater, Florida
Today was fairly quiet after our adventures of the past two days. Pat stayed aboard the boat to clean up, catch up on emails, and rest.
Andrew on "Freedom" woke up at 5:00 am and thought it was still yesterday afternoon. He was afraid he would miss happy hour on our boat. It took a bit of convincing from Sallyann, his wife, that it was 5:00 am on Wednesday not 5:00 pm Tuesday, and yes, he did miss happy hour.
George, Sallyann, and Andrew took the "Jolley Trolley" and toured around Clearwater Beach, had lunch out, and purchased some groceries.
The weather had deteriorated and by evening it was still raining quite heavily when we all went to dinner at the Yacht Club and toasted our crossing of the "Big Bend", but Sallyann's stomach still hadn't recovered!
Andrew on "Freedom" woke up at 5:00 am and thought it was still yesterday afternoon. He was afraid he would miss happy hour on our boat. It took a bit of convincing from Sallyann, his wife, that it was 5:00 am on Wednesday not 5:00 pm Tuesday, and yes, he did miss happy hour.
George, Sallyann, and Andrew took the "Jolley Trolley" and toured around Clearwater Beach, had lunch out, and purchased some groceries.
The weather had deteriorated and by evening it was still raining quite heavily when we all went to dinner at the Yacht Club and toasted our crossing of the "Big Bend", but Sallyann's stomach still hadn't recovered!
11/23 - 11/24 - Carrabelle Beach Anchorage to Clearwater, Florida (Big Bend Crossing)
Fixer-upper house boat on the Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway on our way to Carrabelle, Fl.
Oystering in Apalachicola Bay. There were so many oysters here that each time an oysterman pulled up his rakes he had to have between 20 and 30 oysters
Just after sunrise in the Gulf of Mexico. Not the smooth conditions we were expecting.The crew was not overjoyed.
We left Port St. Joe Marina for our 55 mile trip to the anchorage off Carrabelle Beach at 7 a.m. The winds were still coming out of the northeast, but for some reason when we anchored in this spot where we should have been somewhat protected, we were still bouncing around, so "Freedom" anchored separately away from us instead of rafting up as we had been doing since we started traveling together.
Conditions continued to calm as late afternoon approached, so we had a very simple early dinner, and actually showered and went to bed in our clothes to try to get some sleep before our departure which we had now bumped up to midnight.
We left our boat radios on, and George told Andrew that if they could not sleep, they could call us and we would leave even earlier. At 10:00 p.m. they did call us, and by 10:20 p.m. we lifted anchor.
It was surreal to be headed out the inlet in the dark! Luckily George has had a lot of experience doing this in many offshore sailing trips, because after the last buoy, all that was visible was a black void.
Passing through the inlet was pretty smooth, but as we headed farther out, the wind and seas started to pick up right on our port beam and this motion caused us to rock from side to side. This was not what we expected!
We decided to leave the fly-bridge where the motion was greater, and went below to operate the boat from our lower station in the main salon. With the aid of our radar, GPS, depth- finder, and auto-pilot we simply held on tight and took turns manning the instruments from our recliner and couch, since WE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING!
Luckily everything was battened down inside and outside the boat including our outdoor furniture, but our couch kept sliding across the cabin all night, sometimes with one of us on it! We, however, fared better than "Freedom", because Sallyann and Tut, the cat, both got very seasick, and Andrew had to man the helm for 15 hours of our 16 hour passage by himself on the very little sleep he had since the day before.After 10 a.m. things began to calm down somewhat, and we finally completed our 175 mile trip at 2:20 p.m. when we entered Clearwater's harbor.
The harbor-master at the Clearwater Yacht Club was waiting for us as we arrived and was very helpful in tying us up in our slips and we were supplied with lots of information about Clearwater Beach. We were all exhausted and decided to take naps once we were settled and then planned to have dinner at the Yacht Club.
George and Pat were able to do so, but Andrew, Sallyann, and Tut slept the rest of the afternoon and into the next morning once they put their heads down on their pillows, and we decided not to disturb them, since there were no lights to be seen on their boat.
11/21 - 11/22 - Port St. Joe, Florida
We continued to be in "Watching and Waiting" mode for our Big Bend Crossing from Carabelle. The weather was windy and rainy at times and we so we planned to stay here at Port St. Joe Marina with its good facilities, close shopping, and internet and telephone access instead of moving to Apalachicola or Carrabelle itself with dockage that could be questionable in strong river currents. All chores aboard our boat have been completed and we are ready to go!
On Saturday evening we decided to have a Chinese take-out dinner aboard with Sallyann and Andrew. When placing our order, we were a little confused when the order-taker didn't seem to know where the marina was located, even though it is only a few blocks away.
George finally got a message from the deliveryman that he was on his way and George went to the front of the marina office to wait for him. Pat then got a phone call from the deliveryman in very broken English about where he was. She tried again to explain what George was wearing, and where he was waiting, but all she got was a garbled answer.
Then from the front of our boat she could see George dashing around the front of the marina flailing his hands. Evidently the deliveryman who was on foot had been in front of the "Piggly Wiggly" supermarket which was 2 blocks away. He had commandeered a customer into calling George to find out where he was. He got directions to the marina, but when George finally saw him he still wasn't headed to the marina until George flagged him down. What we had was a failure to communicate, but it was worth a lot of laughs!
Sunday was a day of rest and planning for our crossing. We decided to head straight to Carrabelle tomorrow, bypassing the marina there and going to an anchorage near the East Pass where we would tentatively leave at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Having consulted with meteorologists, weather prognosticators, sea buoy sites, NOAA wind and wave sites, etc., we determined that our weather window would open from Monday afternoon into Wednesday morning. Our boats can make the crossing in 15 hours, so for some of the time will have to travel in the dark. With a 2 a.m. departure we will only have about 4 1/2 hours of full darkness and can safely make the journey across the Gulf before dark in Clearwater. This is our current plan!
In preparation for departure the captain always checks the engines. Upon checking the transmission oil he noticed a large bolt in the bilge. This was not a good sign!
This began a search to find from where it came. While looking around, another bolt, then another, then large nuts and washers began to appear in the bilge. A total of three bolts, four nuts, and four washers were found. "Houston, we have a problem!" Finding this collection of hardware rolling around the bilge could scare any captain.
What was found was that the propeller shaft coupling was parting from the transmission. The remaining bolts were only hanging on by a few threads and the shaft coupling had parted from the transmission and had opened a gap of about one inch between it an the propeller shaft. It would have only taken a few more turns of the engine and the whole thing would have come apart.
Now came the fun part, putting it back together. Well the boat gods were smiling upon us, because George was able to find all the missing hardware, get all the bolts and nuts in place, force the propeller shaft back into position, and secure everything in less than an hour.
It is good to be lucky!
On Saturday evening we decided to have a Chinese take-out dinner aboard with Sallyann and Andrew. When placing our order, we were a little confused when the order-taker didn't seem to know where the marina was located, even though it is only a few blocks away.
George finally got a message from the deliveryman that he was on his way and George went to the front of the marina office to wait for him. Pat then got a phone call from the deliveryman in very broken English about where he was. She tried again to explain what George was wearing, and where he was waiting, but all she got was a garbled answer.
Then from the front of our boat she could see George dashing around the front of the marina flailing his hands. Evidently the deliveryman who was on foot had been in front of the "Piggly Wiggly" supermarket which was 2 blocks away. He had commandeered a customer into calling George to find out where he was. He got directions to the marina, but when George finally saw him he still wasn't headed to the marina until George flagged him down. What we had was a failure to communicate, but it was worth a lot of laughs!
Sunday was a day of rest and planning for our crossing. We decided to head straight to Carrabelle tomorrow, bypassing the marina there and going to an anchorage near the East Pass where we would tentatively leave at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Having consulted with meteorologists, weather prognosticators, sea buoy sites, NOAA wind and wave sites, etc., we determined that our weather window would open from Monday afternoon into Wednesday morning. Our boats can make the crossing in 15 hours, so for some of the time will have to travel in the dark. With a 2 a.m. departure we will only have about 4 1/2 hours of full darkness and can safely make the journey across the Gulf before dark in Clearwater. This is our current plan!
In preparation for departure the captain always checks the engines. Upon checking the transmission oil he noticed a large bolt in the bilge. This was not a good sign!
This began a search to find from where it came. While looking around, another bolt, then another, then large nuts and washers began to appear in the bilge. A total of three bolts, four nuts, and four washers were found. "Houston, we have a problem!" Finding this collection of hardware rolling around the bilge could scare any captain.
What was found was that the propeller shaft coupling was parting from the transmission. The remaining bolts were only hanging on by a few threads and the shaft coupling had parted from the transmission and had opened a gap of about one inch between it an the propeller shaft. It would have only taken a few more turns of the engine and the whole thing would have come apart.
Now came the fun part, putting it back together. Well the boat gods were smiling upon us, because George was able to find all the missing hardware, get all the bolts and nuts in place, force the propeller shaft back into position, and secure everything in less than an hour.
It is good to be lucky!
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