9-13-14
Mobile Bay to Fort Walton
After over 1300 miles of the river systems, it was time for the Gulf coast. We had some pretty long runs to get to the Gulf but with not a whole lot of places to see or do, we let her fly. The fish must have known LeHooker was back in the saltwater cause one jumped in the splash well. We motored on over to the Gulf Coast ICW and decided to just go until we got tired. It was a weekend so the boat traffic was everywhere. Before we knew it, we were in the home state.
The storms were on the way so we stopped at Fort Walton Yacht Basin for the night. Well let me tell you, any marina right on the river with no break wall might be a bumpy night. Luckily a nasty thunderstorm came and ran all the boats off the water.
9-14-14
Fort Walton to Panama City
We got moving early to try and beat the morning rush of boaters. We ran through the bays and the ICW cut with hardly any traffic.
Right before we got to Pirates Cove Marina we found sand bar just inside the inlet and pulled over to clean the outside of the boat at the water line. Couldn't get the stain off due to waves, but got all the scum growth off. It was nice to be able to get into the water, finally. Went to the marina and jumped into the pool for a while. Afterwards I got onto the boat top and scrubbed it clean while Wendy attacked the laundry. After getting some cleaning on the boat done we hit the restaurant for dinner.
9-15-14
Panama City to Carrabelle
With storms in the area, we left with one eye on the weather screen. Having the weather capabilities on the boat has been a nice addition. We ran for a while until we saw we were going to head into the rain.
Putted along until the rain actually split into 2 storms so we ran again and shot in between the 2 storms. We were pretty lucky until we hit the last bay we had to cross, Apalachicola Bay, to get to Carrabelle.
The winds were once again strong. The ride was a choppy one for the first half but luckily the second half settled down a little. Pulled into Carrabelle right with a drizzly rain.
9-16-14
The Moorings at Carrabelle
With a front coming through we decided to stay put and chill out for a day after putting on some miles lately. Carrabelle is a cool little town. Grocery store right across the street from the marina and they have loaner bikes.
Some wheels. About all you need
to see Carrabelle.
Boat sunk at the base of the bridge.
Also have a captains lounge in the second story of the bath/shower. We needed to get some supplies from the grocery store so a fellow loaned us his golf cart so we didn't have to carry all that stuff. We peddled around to check out the town.
9-17-14
Carrabelle to Clearwater
The day started out nice.
Yep, that's right. We ran all the way from Carrabelle to Clearwater. 191 miles. Got a late start about 08:30 but it is a good thing cause we had to wait for the weather to clear out around Chrystal River and south of there. We ran in mostly very confused seas but it was only a 1-2 foot slop with a 2' swell from the southwest. All in all it was all good crossing.
We ran about 30 - 33mph all the way to Chrystal River and decided to keep going after we ate lunch. About 3/4 of the way to Chrystal River, we started noticing small fish everywhere dead in the water.
After a couple miles we started seeing huge Red Fish dead everywhere. The place even smelled like dead fish. I could not believe all the dead fish. Figured It was a Red tide event. Later I got a text from Brian saying there was a red tide going on. We originally headed to Chrystal River cause everywhere south of there was covered up with rain due to the front moving south. I had one of my plotters on the weather the whole time to make sure nothing popped up In front of us.
One of the storms we skirted.
As we travelled south the weather was moving south so by the time we got to Chrystal River, the weather was down to the Tampa area. We decided to just keep running and went in at Anclote Key. Ran down to Clearwater Beach City Marina and called it quits for the day about 4:30. We skirted a couple offshore showers but never got rained on.
9-18-14
Clearwater to Fort Meyers
After our long run the day before we didn't know how far to go or even leave the marina.
I bought the previous 2 Mercury 200's off this boat at auction.
This poor Honda was screaming and going nowhere.
But we got up and headed out. After another long day we pulled Into Heritage Harbor about 5pm. First thing to do was jump In the pool and relax. After that we walked into town to go to the Publix to get me some Chocolate Cookie Quarry frozen yogurt. Man I have missed it.
Oh sure, the good stuff shows up and
our legs aren't broke anymore.
Oh yea, we got dinner also. Back to the boat and crashed out. 2 long days of running wore me out.
9-19-14
Fort Meyers to Labelle.
Today was not going to be a marathon day. Looked at the weather and It was raining for miles out Into the Gulf and moving in. Figured if we were going to be stuck in the rain we might as well be moving in the rain. We were only going to go to Labelle on the Okeechobee Waterway to visit some friends and stay at the free city dock with power and water. Nice.
Power, water, an awesome restaurant 2 blocks up, and free. What's not to like.
We did our trawler imitation all the way there in a drizzly rain. Got there, tied up and went to dinner at the Forrey Grille with some friends. If you come through here, it is a must stop.
Wendy shows up and the animals come a begging. Think we fed everything for over 5000 miles.
We are going to try and get all the way across the Okeechobee Waterway tomorrow and as far up the coast as we can. It is time to get home and we have seen the coast many times.
9-14-14
Fort Walton to Panama City
We got moving early to try and beat the morning rush of boaters. We ran through the bays and the ICW cut with hardly any traffic.
Right before we got to Pirates Cove Marina we found sand bar just inside the inlet and pulled over to clean the outside of the boat at the water line. Couldn't get the stain off due to waves, but got all the scum growth off. It was nice to be able to get into the water, finally. Went to the marina and jumped into the pool for a while. Afterwards I got onto the boat top and scrubbed it clean while Wendy attacked the laundry. After getting some cleaning on the boat done we hit the restaurant for dinner.
9-15-14
Panama City to Carrabelle
With storms in the area, we left with one eye on the weather screen. Having the weather capabilities on the boat has been a nice addition. We ran for a while until we saw we were going to head into the rain.
Putted along until the rain actually split into 2 storms so we ran again and shot in between the 2 storms. We were pretty lucky until we hit the last bay we had to cross, Apalachicola Bay, to get to Carrabelle.
The winds were once again strong. The ride was a choppy one for the first half but luckily the second half settled down a little. Pulled into Carrabelle right with a drizzly rain.
9-16-14
The Moorings at Carrabelle
With a front coming through we decided to stay put and chill out for a day after putting on some miles lately. Carrabelle is a cool little town. Grocery store right across the street from the marina and they have loaner bikes.
to see Carrabelle.
Also have a captains lounge in the second story of the bath/shower. We needed to get some supplies from the grocery store so a fellow loaned us his golf cart so we didn't have to carry all that stuff. We peddled around to check out the town.
9-17-14
Carrabelle to Clearwater
Yep, that's right. We ran all the way from Carrabelle to Clearwater. 191 miles. Got a late start about 08:30 but it is a good thing cause we had to wait for the weather to clear out around Chrystal River and south of there. We ran in mostly very confused seas but it was only a 1-2 foot slop with a 2' swell from the southwest. All in all it was all good crossing.
We ran about 30 - 33mph all the way to Chrystal River and decided to keep going after we ate lunch. About 3/4 of the way to Chrystal River, we started noticing small fish everywhere dead in the water.
After a couple miles we started seeing huge Red Fish dead everywhere. The place even smelled like dead fish. I could not believe all the dead fish. Figured It was a Red tide event. Later I got a text from Brian saying there was a red tide going on. We originally headed to Chrystal River cause everywhere south of there was covered up with rain due to the front moving south. I had one of my plotters on the weather the whole time to make sure nothing popped up In front of us.
As we travelled south the weather was moving south so by the time we got to Chrystal River, the weather was down to the Tampa area. We decided to just keep running and went in at Anclote Key. Ran down to Clearwater Beach City Marina and called it quits for the day about 4:30. We skirted a couple offshore showers but never got rained on.
9-18-14
Clearwater to Fort Meyers
After our long run the day before we didn't know how far to go or even leave the marina.
But we got up and headed out. After another long day we pulled Into Heritage Harbor about 5pm. First thing to do was jump In the pool and relax. After that we walked into town to go to the Publix to get me some Chocolate Cookie Quarry frozen yogurt. Man I have missed it.
our legs aren't broke anymore.
Oh yea, we got dinner also. Back to the boat and crashed out. 2 long days of running wore me out.
9-19-14
Fort Meyers to Labelle.
Today was not going to be a marathon day. Looked at the weather and It was raining for miles out Into the Gulf and moving in. Figured if we were going to be stuck in the rain we might as well be moving in the rain. We were only going to go to Labelle on the Okeechobee Waterway to visit some friends and stay at the free city dock with power and water. Nice.
We did our trawler imitation all the way there in a drizzly rain. Got there, tied up and went to dinner at the Forrey Grille with some friends. If you come through here, it is a must stop.
We are going to try and get all the way across the Okeechobee Waterway tomorrow and as far up the coast as we can. It is time to get home and we have seen the coast many times.
If we were in town the next few days I would drive down and meet you guys when you found a marina near Tampa, We are off to Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Atlanta the next two weekends.
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