Go Go Go

Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving

We woke up Thanksgiving morning to bright sunshine and a good weather forecast. Everybody is ready and anxious to get going. The first group of 4 boats leaves at 11 a.m. and includes Time Out, Katherine Marie, Sea Cow, and In Deep Ship bringing up the rear. We all cruise about the same speed of 7 knots or 8 mph. The second group of boats go faster so they leave 3 hours later. The Gulf starts out pretty choppy with waves 1 to 2 feet, a nice breeze and still lots of sunshine. We feel nervous about the crossing and a little seasick but manage to hold down our breakfast.
                                              

Late afternoon the waves smooth out and we have a great sunset.

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

After dark we all use radar and stay less than a mile apart so that we can see each others running lights. Around midnight the wind comes out of the north and the following seas give us a little boost in speed. Every hour Time Out checks with each boat to keep us awake. They all have autopilot except us, we have to steer the boat all night.  We take turns, but we don't find much sleep. About 3 a.m. the wind changes again. It makes us feel like a sailboat running on our side for a couple hours.

Sunrise with Clearwater on the horizon

Friday and Saturdary, November 25 and 26
We are glad for sunrise and no wind and by 9:30 a.m. we arrive at Clearwater Beach Marina. Every one is safe and no one had problems. We are really happy to be back on land!

Sleep all day, then we met with some loopers for docktails and to celebrate a great crossing! The next day several of us hop on the Jolly Trolley to visit Tarpon Springs and the Greek docks.

Ann, Paul, Cindy, Terri, Kelly

Sunday, November 27 to Monday, December 5

Clearwater Beach Marina was very busy with too much rocking and rolling to stay there. We moved the boat along with Time Out and Sea Cow to Madiera Beach at a small public marina. We visited John's Pass and part of St. Petersburg by bus with Paul and Ann! 

We relaxed and cleaned the boat and visited the small town of Madiera Beach for another week. Paul and Ann on Sea Cow departed after a few day to continue their loop.  Dan and Jean on Time Out are flying home for the holidays. We have a flight on Allegiant and ubered to the airport--it was easier than we thought!

Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready.......

Monday - Wednesday, November 21 - 23, 2016

We arrive at Carrabelle, Florida at C-Quarters Marina--it is THE place to start a trip across the Gulf of Mexico. Most all the marinas now have pilings that you have to tie the boat at all 4 corners with enough slack for the changing tides. I need more practice for sure!!

We ask about a restaurant, but there are none open in Carrabelle on Mondays. We are in luck, the Marina has a pot luck dinner for anyone who shows up. Good food and other boaters show up so there are about 20+ people. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Fisherman's wife restaurant is open and the seafood is delicious especially the oysters! We join a group of loopers to talk about the crossing.

Carrabelle claims they have the smallest police station in the world. Right on the main street, easy to find!

We make several trips to the local IGA grocery store. They have a very prominent display of Barefoot wines and bubbly. Have to get some just in case we need to celebrate crossing the Gulf!!

Finally it looks like the weather and wind will be good for crossing the Gulf of Mexico on Thanksgiving. No cooking turkey, I have the feeling we are the turkeys!