Sunday November 15, 2009

The final leg.,Venice to Ft. Myers. Seaquell finally caught up with us around 6:00PM and we'll travel together on this last stretch.

Underway and making way at 7:10AM to Ft. Myers. Nice day. 1' - 2' seas with North breeze of 7 kt. and 77°. Great Sunday boating weather. Turned into the ICW at Boca Grande in two foot seas and a lot of Sunday boaters. Easy going to Legacy Harbor Marina arriving around 3:00PM.

A long trip complete, beginning April 28Th and ending today at our starting point. The Cape Coral Bridge in sight. A great and interesting voyage and a wonderful way to see a part of the U.S. from the water (and meet a lot of great people). Total mileage from Holland, Michigan to Ft. Myers, FL. was 2008 miles. Whew!

Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14, 2009

Away from the dock at 11:30AM. This will be a longer run in the Gulf of Mexico throughout the night. Since it will take the better part of twenty four hours, we want to be at our next location around noon tomorrow. We had an excellent breakfast at a local restaurant in Apalachicola with another boat's crew. They will go with us today since they've not made this part of the trip before.

Out in the big water (through the cut in the sound) around 12:30PM with 2 foot waves and a freshening NW wind as predicted (weather man, oops, person, isn't any better a prognastigator than anywhere else) . Waves have started to pick noticeably to 3' - 4' with some at 5' even 6". NW wind has remained strong with gusts to 25 kt. Our partner boat (39' Mainship, the Seaquell) having a difficult time being thrown around. Without stabilizers its tough.

Trying to get to lesser waves, we turned east for 30 miles before heading SE again. Slowed down to see if that could help and it did for awhile. OK seas and travel for Brightwater but still very hard for the Seaquell. They are not having a good time. Both of us had our main searchlights on and dodges hundreds of crab pots as well.

Around daybreak Seaquell had to go into Clearwater for fuel, food, and rest. We continued on to our Venice, FL. destination. Finally arrived at 12:15PM. Topped off our tanks with 270 gallons of diesel. Cleaned up, took showers, had a great lunch (left overs from our famous cock pot beef stew), did laundry, and took naps.

Watched Michigan be man handled by Wisconsin. Nasty. Sorry state of affairs.

Thursday November 12, 2009

Left panama City at 7:25AM CST on our way to Apalachicola FL. in the EST zone. Several other boats, both ahead and behind us, heading for the same destination of approximately 60 miles.

Arrived around 3:00PM EST at Apalachicola Marina (formerly Miller's). Took on 162 gallons in our aft tanks to prepare for the Gulf crossing beginning tomorrow.

Apalachicola is a little but charming town with many historic buildings. predominately a fishing town and the oyster capital of Florida. Several interesting antique shops with older nautical paraphernalia. Dr. John Gorrie invented a machine here that made artificial ice in the 1830's. He used it to provide an earlier form of air conditioning for his yellow fever and malaria patients.

We just missed the annual seafood festival held last week where there evidently they treat the event like Christmas. Free oysters?

Wednesday , November 11, 2009

Still in panama City marina waiting for what's left of Ida storm winds to die down. Waters will be calmer soon. Attended Veteran's Day parade finishing at City Hall close to the marina.

Returned rental car and just sitting around. Little boring.

Tuesday November 10, 2009

Long night but no damage. Ida was downgraded to a tropical storm with wind gusts sometimes around 60 mph. Everyone stayed on their boats last night and were doing the same thing we did.

If this storm was a hurricane category 2, 3, etc. you would not want to stay aboard in the marina. Too dangerous. Thankfully it wasn't.

Monday November 9, 2009

Went to West Marine for several new lines to be absolutely sure we're tied up as best we can be. Watching the storm's progress on NOAA and other web sites. Believe we're in decent shape as the wind is picking up as Ida moves closer to landfall.

Wind has shifted to the south and causing a chop in the Marina. Every thing's holding and we've been checking lines every half hour just to be sure. Tidal surge is somewhere around 3 1/2 feet but nor affecting us.

Sunday November 8, 2009

We're in our slip and are working on the Brightwater to prepare it for the coming storm. That includes stripping all the canvas, removing any out side cushions, tying down our dingy securely, removing chart plotter from the bridge, adding lines (16) and fenders (4) on each side of the boat.

We're next to a 50' Neptunis being handled by a transfer Captain. he's been a great help in offering advice and even allowing us to go along to West marine for additional lines. Never have rode out a storm and even though this one is being somewhat downgraded, we're still nervous. The heaviest and most intense duration will be tonight and tomorrow. Right now everyone is staying on their boats. We've made plans to go inland if this storm develops into a category 2 or more. We'll be checking lines during the night to snug them up if they stretch.

Saturday November 7, 2009

Leisurely start today at 9:00AM. Relatively easy run to Panama City of about six to six and a half hours. Today was "dolphin day". They were everywhere. Maybe a total of 45 to 60. Sometimes a single and other time four to five. They love Brightwater's wake.

In at Panama City, Municipal Marina at 3:34PM. Large harbor and well maintained. Should be helpful due to protection from building storm in southwest Caribbean. Looks like several others are tying up with the same tropical disturbance in mind. Do they know more than us? Not unless pigs fly.