The Crossing

With a little help from our friends we moved the car and got the boat ready.  We departed Tarpon Springs Monday morning at 0810. As we motored out of the the tourist town, we could see the vendors all ready getting set for a busy day.  The weather was just about perfect. A light wind was blowing from the south with small waves and gentle rollers.  Even better, was the blue sky.  As we got around the barrier island we felt the rollers take over the boat action and it was just the rolling action that creates sea sickness.  No one got sick but we didn't want any food or even the mention of food.  Bob Lawrence, a friend we met in Indiantown, was on board helping with the crossing.  Bob had worked on the west coast as a fire fighter for the forestry service. He has retired since and has done some commercial fishing and high tech engine repairs.  He is a good guy to have on board, and besides, it just works out better if you have three people instead of two.  Maggie did real good although we did put her leash on her so she would not roam about. By 1600 we were feeling well enough for a hot dog on the grill.  I cooked the hot dogs while Denniese and Bob manned the boat.  The good thing about grilling hot dogs on a moving boat is you don't have to turn them, they just foll from side to side.  The dogs were good except no one wanted seconds.  Sundown was about 2030 and it got dark in a hurry.  We had a sliver of a moon and it set in a short time.  No city lights, no other boats, no moon, just our running lights and the stars.  We had gone 1/2 way and we were right on schedule for our 133 mile 26 hour open water crossing.

Tuesday the sun came up at 0630 to some clouds and overcast skies.  Soon we spotted land, Dog Island.  Maggie just knows they named it for her.  We didn't stop because there is no dock and we motored on to Carrabelle.  We pulled into our slip at 0945 but the current took control of the boat and I had to back out and try again. The second try was not pretty either and I scraped a rail, stained the rail covers that Denniese had worked so hard on and even managed to knock out a window.  But like I always said when I was flying, "If you can use the plane again it was a good landing."  We can use the boat again so it must have been a good docking.  We had little sleep during the crossing and a bad docking didn't help our nerves but we got it done and walked the dog.  That comes first!! A good breakfast and a nap and we are ready for a new day in Carrabelle. Tomorrow we will start down the ICW going almost due West along the Florida panhandle and it may be a couple of days before we can write another blog. Thanks for the love and prayers.  Mike, Denniese and Maggie Mae