Passage to Keys Day 2

Morning arrived with more crabpots and a T storm.  We decided to drift until it passed.  Our weather routers had predicted scattered but short storms.  As soon as we could see the pots again we arrived in Key West!

Thunder Storms in our way

Key West Harbor

Cruise Ship

Heading out to the Hawk Channel

Started rocking in the channel

Jan took the first shift going through the channel.  Winds started up 15 kts, but the waves were on the broadside so we couldn't get up more sail.  It was 3-5 ft. seas all the way to Boot Harbor.  Gary took over about noon and got us into the Harbor to anchor at the foot of the bridge.

Passage from Charlotte Harbor, Key West and Marathon

 We left on a beautiful day with little wind but calm seas.  Made good engine time mostly 7 kts. Biggest problem was avoiding crab pots.  We went out to 70 or more feet to finally avoid them.  This was a concern as we would be traveling through the night. Jan was able to steer most of the day and Gary took night shift.

Sunset on the Gulf

Night Sails

Cabbage Key Staging

Gary decided to stage our leaving Charlotte Harbor at Cabbage Key,  we had waited for a good weather window and were ready to go.  Across from Cabbage Key we anchored and dingyed over to have a fun afternoon.

beautiful houses on the way to the Key

Turtles and cranes at the Key

A good night sleep after a beautiful sunset

The private key has a restaurant and walking trails

One of the big ones!

Lucky we didn't see the nuisance alligator

We sampled the wares at the restaurant

From the water tower look out you could see the whole island

Miss Em from the Key

Friendsgiving at Charlotte Harbor

We got a few more pictures of a big manatee next to the boat .  Lots of fun on the last night at Charlotte Harbor with fishing and friends.

Here are the cruising couples at the Burnt Store Marina and decided to split a big Thanksgiving feast.  One couple still had ties on shore and offered their condo and transportation to the grocery store.  

All of us having fun on Miss Em before Friendsgiving

Next stop passage to the Keys!

Back with the Manatees

We really enjoyed our walking trails, seeing manatees when we returned to Charlotte Harbor.  That is after the first day back.  When we arrived at the boat, we couldn't believe how the birds had taken over!  Our green canvas was covered in white!  Not snow!  Gary spent the first day washing, and washing again.  Those Osprey's are really huge here and I think one used us for his bathroom.
Now weather has set in and we are waiting for a window to go on to Marathon.  It will be another long passage, but we want to winter there before going up the East Coast.

Our elusive manatee friend caught on camera

You can just see his nostril

Beautiful walking around the marina

Walking down the back canal

One of the boats by the houses

Great biking and walking trails

Walking down Marion Trail

Panama City visit

We had to return to Panama City briefly to attend a funeral of Gary's stepson, Michael Shane Teate.  Though it was a sad occasion we enjoyed visiting with all our grandchildren and children.

Jan and Brian

Gene's Oyster Bar The Best!

Amanda, Gary, and Laura

Some of the grandkids at Salty Hog

More oysters group at Salty Hog

Manatee Monday

Entering Burnt Store Marina

When we arrived at Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor Monday, I thought I saw the back of a elephant in the water!  My first Manatee sighting.  Since then I have had glimpses of this elusive animal numerous times.  I doubt that I will get a good picture as not much of them is visible.  Usually you see the little nose hole blowing for air. (sounds just like a dolphin breathing).  I also have a dock buddy to keep most of the birds away.  A little crane I call "badBird".  We decided to stay here until Dec. to further check out systems (those readers interested in Tarpon Springs repairs and upgrades can check out boat projects section) and in general get rested upand have some fun.
We left Pitman Yacht Services on Oct. 27 and stayed at the City Marina for a few

Favorite hangout "Miss Vickies" while waiting for boat repairs

Little Halloween buddy

Gary's walking mermaid buddy

At City Marina with friendly folks

A real beaut at the Tastee Freeze

Rudder mania at the boatyard

Jan looking over the shaft in the rudder mold

 days to get all our systems up and give the boat a good scrubbing.  Believe me I will fight for detailing if we ever have a boat claim again.
 After looking over our options heading south we decided for a longer overnight passage to get to a inlet with deep water.  So we got WRI to give us a weather route and off we went.  It was another beautiful trip for Gary and I was seasick again (it really upset me as it wasn't rough just rolly).  We spent 3 days on the hook in Charlotte Harbor before making the decision to go into Burnt Store Marina for a month.  Even if we had our watermaker up we couldn't have used it as the water is not clear here due to the fresh water inflow.

Dingy Day trip to Punta Gorda
Irish Pub

At Burnt Store Marina until Dec.