Clearwater Beach, FL to Pelican Bay, FL

Nov. 20- Nov. 26

Our weather continued to stay cold and windy for several days as we moved farther south. While traveling across Tampa Bay to reach an anchorage in Manatee River we had 2-4 ft. waves pushing us. This anchorage was by the DeSoto National Memorial Park near Bradenton FL. This park is dedicated to Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer who came here in 1539 looking for gold.

 

 Sunshine Bridge, Tampa Bay FL.

 

 De Soto Memorial Park.

 

Our next stop was in Sarasota. While there we got together with a Canadian couple we met last spring in Waterford NY. They took us out for breakfast and then we walked through town and a really nice farmers market.

Sarasota, FL.

 

Next stop was by Don Pedro State Park. This park is right on the Gulf and has a great beach where we found sharks teeth. Not sure why with the size of the Gulf that sharks decide to die here so there teeth wash ashore in this area. We stayed a couple of days then moved on to Pelican Bay. Cayo Costa State Park is located in this bay where there is another great beach for shelling and nature paths for hiking. Our first day here we took the dinghies to a neighboring Island, Cabbage Key (made famous by Jimmy Buffet’s song “Cheeseburger in Paradise”) for lunch and of course had a cheeseburger.

Dozens of pelicans perched in the trees along the way.

 

 Cabbage Key.

 

 Cheeseburger anyone? Sharon, Jim, & Randy.

 

Caladesi Island, FL to Clearwater Beach, FL

Nov. 13 – Nov. 19

Caladesi Island is a Florida State Park and is only accessible by private boat or ferry. There is a marina (with power & water), ranger station, concession building, picnic areas, a hiking nature trail, 3 mile kayaking trails, and the most beautiful white sandy beach. We ended up staying here 5 days. We walked the beach every morning looking for shells & found several nice ones to add to our collection along with sand dollars. The weather averaged mid 70’s & was sunny every day.

 

 Nature trail.

 

 Tunnel we kayaked thru.

Armidillo

 

 Gopher turtle

 

We left Caladesi and moved a whole 11 miles to Clearwater Beach to an anchorage. From this anchorage we can see the Aquarium where the movie Dolphin Tale was filmed. During our stay here we had wind, wind, and more wind, which clocked around from then south to the north and brought COLD air with it. Our temperatures dropped down to the upper 30’s at night and only a high of 60 degrees during the day. Brrrrrr it’s definitely time to move farther south. We didn’t spend a lot of time sightseeing but we did get a chance to connect with a couple from Virginia that we met last winter in Marathon Key. They were traveling through this area by car.

Panama City, FL to Caladesi Island, FL

Nov. 6 – Nov. 12

We moved from the City Marina to a neighbors dock where Jim & Sharon Angel where staying. Bill (the owner of the house) was very gracious in not only letting us tie to his dock but he also let us plug into shore power. Back to that saying: It’s not what you know but who you know! We are also invited to stop and use their dock anytime we are passing through the area.

From there we traveled 59 miles to Apalachicola FL, stopping one night at a free dock in White City. This dock is basically a launch ramp with a picnic area right along the ICW, but there is room to tie up 3 boats our size. We anchored in Apalachicola & took the dinghy in to walk thru town and had some lunch. This area is known for its oysters. (Sherri says Yuck! & Randy says Yum!)

Along the ICW.

 

 

 White City FL.

 

 Apalachicola FL.

 

 

You want something nautical? This store sold it. 

 

 

 

From there we moved on to Dog Island (near Carrabelle FL) and anchored for 2 ½ hours before setting out to cross the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs. You need to time your arrival near Tarpon Springs for mid morning for several reasons. One reason is the sun, the other crab pots. Since you are heading east as you arrive it is better to have the sun a little higher so there is not as much glare on the water and you also need to be able to see the crab pots that are in that area. Each crab pot is set out with a single line attached to a floating buoy. You definitely don’t want one of these to get caught in your props. This crossing took us 20 hours (Nov. 10, 1:30 pm to Nov. 11, 9:30 am) and is done overnight. When doing this crossing it is safer to have at least one buddy boat traveling with you. We ended up with 15 boats all going at the same time. It was pretty neat to see all the mast lights glowing in the dark around you in the middle of the night. We had a beautiful sunset and at 2:15 the moon came out. Getting away from ALL the city lights we could see millions of stars which looked as if you could reach out and touch them.

 

 Looking past this house you can see the Gulf of Mexico.

This is where we were anchored.

 

 Several jellyfish floated by.

 

 Going through the channel heading into the Gulf of Mexico.

 

 Some of the boats we crossed with.

 

 Land again! This is Anclote Island and Lighthouse near Tarpon Springs FL.

 

After arriving near Tarpon Springs we anchored by 3 Rooker Bay and took a couple hour nap. At 3 pm we pulled anchor and moved 8 miles south to Caladesi Island State Park were we will hang out for several days.

Mobile AL to Panama City FL

Oct. 30 – Nov. 5

While at Turner marine we had some friends (Tom & Heidi) drive down from MI. to join us for several days. The winds picked up so we had to stay at Turner marine for 3 days. Since we were stuck because of weather we took off one day and drove to Fairhope AL.

Turner Marine

 

Happy Hour - Tom, Randy, Sherri, Jim M., Jim A., Sharon, Mimi.

 

Fresh shrimp.

 

Fairhope AL 

 

 

 Over 4,000 cycles rode for charity through Fairhope.

 

Once the winds slowed down we said goodbye to Jim & Mimi (they were flying home to Canada) and took off with Jim & Sharon (Blue Angle) across Mobile bay and entered the ICW (Intercoastal waterway) heading east.

We anchored one night in a nice quiet anchorage near Pirates Cove Bar and Grill (great burgers)! The next night we anchored near Ft. McRee, which is by Pensacola FL. This anchorage had only a narrow strip of land between it and the Gulf of Mexico. We took the dinghy, went to shore, and walked the beach looking for shells. While there we saw a half a dozen dolphins playing in the surf.

Pirates Cove Bar & Grill. We took a narrow channel past the grill and anchored for the night.

 

 Ft. McRee anchorage.

Gulf of Mexico shoreline.

 

Drs. Randy & Tom working on one of the toilets which broke down.

(Yes they got it fixed)

 

 

Our next stop was Fort Walton to a free dock. Here Tom & Heidi’s vacation ended. It was time for them to go back to MI. We only stayed one night then moved on to Panama City FL. Jim & Sharon have friends here we are going to visit. Since this will be the last place we can use a car we will stock up on non perishable items that we will use once we get to the Bahamas later this winter. Everything is more expensive on the Islands.

Cruising along the ICW with just a narrow strip of land between us and the Gulf of Mexico.

 

 Fort Walton with Tom & Heidi.

 

 The "Grand Canyon" of Florida. A manmade canal, 200' wide and 20 miles long.

 

Near the east end of the "Canyon". 

 

 Leaving the "Canyon" and entering West Bay just west of Panama City, FL.

 

 Panama City Marina.