Tuesday Nov. 26

25 miles   0845-1230   Clearwater Beach to Gulfport, FL.

It is time to move on. Especially with the high winds and storms that are predicted for this area. So we left Clearwater Beach and headed to Gulfport City marina which is located near downtown St. Petersburg FL. This marina has good protection from all the high winds that are forecasted. Out in the Gulf the waves were up to 11 feet high, but we could travel on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway). Most of the waterway was very narrow so we had great protection from the wind. Only a few spots widened out but even then there was only a 6” chop.

Cruising along the ICW.

 

 Some areas there is only a very thin strip of land between the ICW and the Gulf.

 

 Cormorants even like to swing sometimes.

 

 Johns Pass - Along the ICW there are several channels to get out to the Gulf.

 

 One of several bridges that we had to go under today. Most of them averaged

22-25 feet clearance. We fit under them but had to lower the antennas.

 

 Most of our cruising today we passed homes on one side and condos on the other.

 

 There are a lot of finger canals off the ICW similar to this.