November 25 and November 26

It will take two stops – but we do make it across the Gulf.

I awaken Saturday, November 25, thinking we are leaving early morning to cross the Gulf into Tarpon Springs.

Captain Pat has changed his mind – and gratefully so. The weather indicates we should break the trip into two stops. Instead of leaving early morning we will leave around 8:00 a.m. to arrive Cedar Key around 3 p.m. We will anchor there for the night, and leave the next morning for Tarpon Springs.

Ride to Cedar Key

It’s a choppy ride, so much so the Admiral is hunkered down on the couch for most of the trip. Too much rocking to get up and move around the boat. We see few boats travelling today. Cell service is intermittent.

The waves are two- to three-feet, with an occasional four footer! We are taking the waves broadside port, which makes for a wet and bumpy ride.

Finally we see the shoreline of Cedar Key.

Captain Pat is exhausted. We have travelled about 100 nautical miles at 15 – 16 nautical miles per hour. Captain Pat diligently monitored the charts and kept on the lookout for crab traps. These can really do damage to your boat, especially if tangled with your props.

Approaching Cedar Key we see two other boats anchored. I think that is a good sign. Captain Pat asks if I see a stern line on either boat. I don’t. He anchors the boat, then he notices there is a stern line on the other boat! It was on the side. I was looking for it off the back.

If you remember our last debacle with not throwing a stern line – you can rest assured the Captain does throws one out today.

Cedar Key

Long admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood, Cedar Key is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of old Florida. It sits three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Highway 24 is the only road coming into town. It crosses over the salt marshes and channels on four small, low bridges. The population is approximately 800 full time residents.

Cedar Key is known for Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge, a group of small islands with trails and rich birdlife. Cedar Key Museum State Park offers a nature trail, a 1920s home and artifacts depicting Cedar Key’s history as a busy port.

There are no high rises or huge apartment complexes. Cedar Key is a community of quaint cottages, single-family homes, working water front and aquaculture structures. It is said the view as you cross the Number Four Bridge is spell-binding.

A nice place to visit. But not today, as we are consumed with only one thing occupying our thoughts – crossing the Gulf.

Onward to Tarpon Springs

After a fitful night of rolling seas and little sleep, we are ready to hit the waves and journey to Tarpon Springs.

But first we have to get the stern anchor out!

As luck would have it, that darned stern anchor is jammed and not budging. It is caught on the trim tab. Captain Pat is careful not to injure the trim tab. He maneuvers the line away from the trim tab with the boat hook. Finally it comes loose and he can pull the line all the way in.

A big sigh of relief. A miracle, really. Now we can leave.

The ride is similar to yesterday – maybe a bit gentler. Or maybe I am getting used to it. Probably the former.

We travel a bit with the one boat anchored with us, but not for long as we are going faster than they are. As yesterday, we are travelling about 15 – 16 nmph.

We have travelled 54 nautical miles. Are we ever grateful to see the Tarpon Springs Marina!

We made it across the Gulf!

As we approach we gulp with regret. The marina slips are similar to the ones encountered in Carrabelle. Again, we are told to back the boat in, with the bow facing out.

The wind is howling, the current strong. The dockmaster John is trying to guide us in. I am on the port side pushing us away from the motorboat on that side. John has the lines on the starboard side. Captain Pat throws the bow lines over the pilings and secures to the boat. A sailor on the sailboat next to us calls Captain Pat a real “cowboy.”

Captain Pat is not amused. It is so difficult to back into these small slips, with no bow thrusters. But he manages! Another miracle for today.

We are finally docked securely.

We are running on adrenaline. We did it! We made it across the Gulf and can now enjoy a brief respite in Tarpon Springs. Allelulia!