Across the Gulf of Mexico Dec. 5-9

The pelicans wait around the fishing docks in Steinhatchee Welcome to Tarpon Springs. We were so glad to get here!
The Christmas boat parade in Tarpon Springs that we watched from our boat.

December 5, we left at 7am. Only 35 out and pretty chilly up on the flybridge. Today we will cross the Gulf of Mexico over to Steinhatachee. Nasty water, some 4 foot waves that slammed on our bow and water leaked into the flybridge. But we kept going and met up with a trawler cat, Ammee Boo. We ran with them and thankfully the water finally died down by mid morning and it was okay all the way in to Steinhatchee. Only got up to 55 today. Pulled into River Haven for fuel and ended up staying there. A local fisherman and a Sea Tow captain told us that tonight is a full moon and a very low tide. Low tide is at 8:30am so if we want to make it out of the river, we need to leave well before the low tide. They gave us some instructions for getting out safely and we will leave at 4am by a full moon.
On Wednesday December 6, we got up at 3am for our first travel in the dark. We used our hand held spot light and were able to negotiate the river channel safely. The waves on the Gulf were still high and hitting us on the beam. We went out further into deeper water to try to keep the waves on our bow, while it was still dark it’s difficult when you can’t actually see the waves. When daybreak came, we were better able to negotiate the waves and kept waiting for the calmer water that was predicted. Called Ammee Boo on the radio and found out that they were running in closer to shore and the waves weren’t as bad there. So we did get closer in and had a better ride. The weather has warmed up again also. Jim ran at 18-20 mph for awhile and things seem to settle. Made it to Tarpon Springs by 4. Ammee Boo is headed for Clearwater. Its been a long day.We fueled and went into the city marina. Cloud Nine was there and welcomed us to Tarpon. Tarpon Springs is famous for sponges! They city was settled by the Greeks with lots of Greek restaurants.
Thursday December 7 During low tide our bow pulpit caught up on the cement wall. It took lots of people here on the docks to get the boat shoved back into the water. A bunch of us got on the back of the boat to lower it in the water and raise up the front so the other guys should shove it off. Boaters are so helpful. We are checking our lines better tonight. We did go and walk along the sponge dock and checked out the stores. Had lunch at one of the Greek restaurants. Now we are ready for a long nap.
Friday December 8 The boat is covered in salt spray and the inside got wet in some spots and things just are dirty. Today is boat cleaning day. Sue also went and got her hair cut. Went out to dinner at Hella’s and had a good Greek meal. A cold front is coming through and its also very windy. Weather is back to the 50s and colder at night
. Saturday December 9, 2006 Another day in Tarpon Springs. Dad called and he and Joanne are coming down to see up tomorrow. It will be nice to see them and visit. The cold front is going through and warmer weather is predicted for Monday so we will head out to cross the Manatee River and complete the loop early next week.Tonight we were delighted to watch all the wonderfully decorated boats in the Christmas boat parade. They cruised right by us!