Time Travel

Our boat is SO SLOW, that we have traveled through time! (From Central Time to Eastern Time that is...)

We got an early jump on the day (getting out about an hour earlier than planned.) But, we then lost an hour as we transitioned from Central to Eastern time. (Bummer to lose an hour -- KEWL that we are back in the RIGHT time zone!)

Oh, and Mother Nature apparently didn't appreciate us skirting her downpours yesterday, so she made sure we went through a couple of them today, instead.

I figure it's okay to accept our weather punishment now (in trade for a clear/easy crossing tomorrow.)

Tomorrow?

Yes! We made it roughly 80 miles today (77.2 miles) to our goal of Carrabelle, FL (Kelly refers to it as the armpit of Florida -- based on the geographic shape.)

We arrived right before sunset, and set our anchors quickly. Kelly had her fishing lines in the water behind my back (and caught three trashy catfish.) She counts trash -- so she is now ahead three-to-one on the fish count. (I spent more time getting HER trashy catfish off HER hooks, than I did fishing.) So, I promised to STOP fishing if she would -- truce!

We performed radio/phone checks with the local marina tonight (to make sure our communications are in working order.) I checked all of the motor fluids, and they check-out "all fine" as well.

I noticed another leak in the starboard exhaust (under out bed) today. (It might be the same leak, that has blown-loose again?) So, I will be pulling the bed up shortly to affect a repair. (It's not a show-stopper.)

We plan to depart at about 2 am Monday morning.

We had originally planned to make a bee-line from Carrabelle, straight to Ancote Key (just North of Clearwater Beach.) That route WOULD have been about a 21-hour journey. But, instead, we are going to take a route that's a bit closer to the shoreline (essentially maneuvering from one lighted buoy marker to the next.) This will provide us with interim reassurance that we are on our correct course. It adds about 14 nautical miles to our overall cruise (about two more hours.) But, the weather looks GREAT for the next 72 hours or so. Plus, the outer endge-run gives us more "out optins" should we need to make ar run for the safety of the coastline at any time.

I doubt that it will put us within cell phone range, however. If we do pickup a signal, however, we will call someone to let them know our position and that we are okay.

The winds are supposed to be light (nonexistent) for the next 72 hours, and the seas FLAT (less than one foot waves.) Things are usually more-calm during the evening hours as well. So, our 2am start should ensure the calmest possible conditions. We will then see the sunrise over the water. The sun should then begin to set as we enter our home waters. We don't plant o make it ALL THE WAY back to Clearwater Beach on Monday. We will stop SOMEWHERE to spend the night. (Maybe 80-100 miles North of Clearwater in the Cedar Key area?)

Bottom line: We should be back in the Clearwater area (and within cell phone range) by Tuesday morning.

The weather shouldn't be an issue. So, our only "risk" is mechanical issues.

If we have an issue with a motor or transmission, then we will run on just one motor (which will reduce our speed from 7.5 mph, down to only about 5 mph.)

So, don't hit any "panic buttons" with the Coast Guard or anything until close-of-business on Tuesday. If you haven't heard from us by COB Tuesday, then my friend Mark Rasch will contact the Coast Guard. (He is the designated person for contacting the Coast Guard -- the CG doesn't need 10 frantic calls from family & friends.)

Here is our planned course:

Leg One: Depart Carabelle, FL at 2 am Monday morning, heading almost due-east to the Fisherman's Rest Fishhaven Lighted Buoy "A" at: 29 degrees, 39.860 North by 83 degrees, 37.813 West. Note: This "turning point" is roughly only 6 nautical miles offshore. Hopefully, our cell phones will function, and we can call/post an update. But, it's a VERY remote area of Florida. So, DON'T PANIC if we don't successfully check-in or report-in at this waypoint!

From there, we will run parallel to the coatline (at times about 13 nautical miles offshore,) towards the "Cross Florida Barge Canal Lighted Buoy 2" at: 28 degrees, 55.425 North by 83 degrees, 11.792 West.

We will then pass just outside of the Reef Ball Reef Center Buoy: 28 degrees, 30.122N by 82 degrees, 58.833W.

Then, just outside of the Pasco County Aritfical Reef Buoy (13 nautical miles due west of Hudson, FL,) before turning toward the Anclote Anchorage North Entrance Light.

Again, we will PROBABLY stop and anchor somewhere along the way!!! Don't PANIC!!!

This boat has already made a run up the East Coast, then across the Great Lakes, and then down to St. Louis. With us, it has already travelled some 1,071 miles from Alton, IL to our current location at Carrabelle, FL. So, this 20+ hour leg should be just another uneventful leg of the journey -- bored by calm seas, and no winds. (Fingers crossed.) ;-)

I gotta sign-off and get some sleep now.

Nick.