We have arrived in Tarpon Spring FL!! Everyone (all 6 boats) arrived in one piece – in need of a REAL nap – and no boat issues along the way! Thank you Lord!! No doubt, this group has been blessed by the good Lord!
Sunset on Friday - crossing the Gulf of Mexico! |
Sunrise on Saturday - STILL crossing the Gulf of Mexico |
Later sunrise of Saturday - Southern Cross to the right |
We had six boats – one couple
per boat – and not one of us had experience crossing the Gulf of Mexico! However, Steve & Teresa on Sanctuary have
crossed Lake Michigan! So they took the
lead not only in the line-up but also in facilitating the meetings and
suggestions prior to the crossing…words cannot convey our heart-felt
appreciation for their willingness to take on this random group of strangers
and make us friends!! There’s a lot of
anxiety (and opinions) when facing 170 miles of travel at 8.0 mph!!
Sanctuary leading the way, Southern Cross second in line |
Robin's Nest - FUN FOLKS!! |
So here we are for Thanksgiving week…Turtle Cove Marina,
Tarpon Springs FL!! If you’re in the
area, stop by & say HI!! We are in
slip #3. Charlie & I have already
skipped (ok, strolled) through the main street looking for a hot meal and Hella’sRestaurant did not disappoint. We ate in
almost silence other than commenting about “rocking” in our chairs. So we went
straight back to the boat for a hot shower & nap (him). I knew I needed to get this post completed
before I forgot everything!!
As seen in a river channel - GULP!! |
Our route to Carrabelle was an uneventful path across
several bays, river channels & fishing communities but it certainly
required our attention…water depths outside the narrow channel was SHALLOW, like wading pool shallow – gulp!
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The Moorings in Carrabelle - yep, that's a "slip"! |
We reached The Moorings Marina in Carrabelle and were informed we had to BACK INTO THE SLIPS!! This was a first for Captain Charlie and while it wasn't easy and the wind picked up during the process...he did it!! I was so proud of him & and relieved. So we started the
prep work on the boat – securing anything that could move. I didn’t do a lot of food prep – it was ONE
NIGHT of travel and honestly, I had no plans to eat heavy. The weather report was favorable but I knew
2-3 foot swells was someone’s opinion
and my interpretation of that after dark
might differ. So I started a small crock
pot of white chili for our 10:00 dinner.
I tried to eat a small bowl but tripped going up the steps
to the back deck…SPLAT!! White chili
face plant!! It was EVERYWHERE…power
cords, dock steps, hatch cover, carpet…and of course, my face, hair,
sweatshirt, life jacket…UGH!! And it didn’t look
like chili after that…gross!! So I did
what any great boater would do, I took a bubble bath, put on my pj’s and a
clean life jacket and left the mess for daylight hours. FYI: it looked worse after sunrise. No photo...you are welcome!
I drove a LOT in the early hours during the roughest seas
and Charlie was a trooper taking the bulk of the after-midnight-before-sunrise
shift but after 21 hours of constant travel we were ready to stop. Our “looper group” was fantastic with
top-of-the-hour radio checks and roll call – keeping drivers alert while the
partner rested. We talked about all
kinds of stuff and learned a little more about each other. Memories forever!!
While we spend this week in Tarpon Springs and all of you
are planning time with family, friends or hunting camp I will keep you briefly
updated. Most importantly, treasure this
time you have together, embrace each opportunity to create something special
out of the ordinary…most of all be thankful to the Lord for every breath and
every day. Where would we be without His
grace and mercy? Pay it forward.
God Bless!
PS: Kids young and old - Tarpon Springs is a VERY unique & historic town...I know you're out of school BUT it's always fun to learn about "cool" stuff...get your thinking caps ready!!!
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