Sunday, November 28, 2021 (Anchorage at Dog Island - Cross the Gulf of Mexico)

Neither one of us slept at all.  This is mainly because it was the first time we anchored in open water and the anchor released a bit so we moved about 30 feet.  The first communication on the VHF was at 6 a.m. basically to confirm that anchor up was at 6:30.  Onward…




 


The water is relatively calm with 1-2 foot swells.  “Our Nauti Time” is handling it like she knows what she’s doing.  By the way, the windless brought that anchor up with no problems.  It’s pretty slow going at first because it was pitch black outside and needed to be sure that everyone is in the channel. Then it’s suddenly 50 feet of water.  The boats start to spread out and get into the speed that they are comfortable with but can still see each other’s lights. 


As the sun came up and we were able to see it was amazing to realize that we are on a huge body of water.  We were prepared to have the sea much rougher.  As time went on we were comfortable with no fear whatsoever.  It is always the unknown that you fear.  No matter what, there was always a buddy system. As we had lunch crossing the Gulf of Mexico, Jim and I truly realized that we were experiencing something that not very many people experience.  Thankfully it was lightly overcast which helped us see better without the sun glaring on the water.  

CRAB POTS!!!!!

We encountered them about 30 miles off shore which seemed farther out then expected.  Unusually they are in a line but some of these were randomly set in the water.  Now we are forced to concentrate not only driving the boat but avoiding the pots.  Keep in mind all there is to see is a small ball (buoy) the size of a bowling ball bobbing up and down.  At times we were swerving a great deal to avoid them.  Not stressful at all!!!!!   It has now been nearly 9 hours since leaving this morning and finally see the channel markers leading us into Steinhatchee.  The width of the channel seemed so narrow after being in the vast amount of water.  


There is a lot of construction and new marinas being built as we get closer to Sea Hag Marina where we will stay.  I am interested in the stories about the storms that created so much destruction leading into rebuilding everything.   The docks at Sea Hag are new but have no electricity.  For nearly 2 hours boats keep coming in and are being tied end on end at the dock.  Everyone is out talking as if the tension is released and we can relax.  Jim and I hiked to a restaurant and ate gater bites.  Well, Jim ate them I didn’t.  LOL!!!!  It didn’t take us long to go to bed after dinner as exhaustion set in.  It became so quiet after the generator was turned off which helped us relax even more.



The conclusion of another chapter of our adventure.  We traveled the river system from Minnesota into Mobile Bay, entering the Intracoastal Waterway, reaching the Gulf of Mexico and finally the west coast of Florida.  Eight weeks, 43 lock and dams and 10 states!!!! And we are still married to each other…….  What will tomorrow bring for the next chapter…

Comments

  1. Laurie FleenerNovember 29, 2021 at 4:16 PM

    Oh happy day! Sounds like you handled it with ease. Congratulations to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MarkNovember 29, 2021 at 8:02 PM

    What a fabulous accomplishment and milestone for this journey!!! You two are braver souls than us!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Slipstream IIINovember 29, 2021 at 9:27 PM

    We are celebrating your success! Sounds like you found the best plan after all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlanNovember 30, 2021 at 2:55 PM

    Awesome! Seems really challenging and interesting.. do you ever lose sight of land?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 30, 2021 at 9:03 PM

      Yes we do. But we have been fortunate to hit some good weather. We are surprise but even though we can not see land it has not bothered us.

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 1, 2021 at 5:21 AM

      Jim

      Delete
  5. Steve and Loraine MartineauNovember 30, 2021 at 10:39 PM

    Congratulations on the crossing! So happy you made it and didn’t get tangled in any crab pots. I can definitely see how that would be stressful. Your pictures of the sun rise are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete

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