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| 46 Sm, 7.0 engine hours lot of no-wake zones |
NE 10-12 knots and a clear sunrise. Small craft exercise caution. Sarasota bay is biggest body of water to transit today then in confines of GICW as wind shift East 10-15G 20+.
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| Sunrise at helm station |
Weighed anchor @0740...cautiously retraced our track out of skinny water back to the channel. Throttled up and making 7 mph crew and Serenity headed for the only big stretch of water today, Sarasota bay. About two hour transit, strong NE winds with enough fetch to stack chop up to 1-1.5 feet. Once out of the bay, remainder of the day in the confines of the GICW, no-wake zones and rude pleasure boaters. Crossed under many 18-30 foot draw bridges without pause. Squeezed under one 9+ foot clearance at low tide, but requested an opening of a swing bridge that had less than 9 foot clearance. Many areas both left and right of the waterway, sand bars exposed with wading birds hunting for food. Many osprey nesting on the taller day markers. White pelicans numerous.
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| Sarasota skyline |
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| Osprey nest on day marker--pretty common as we travel south |
Entered Leamon bay, wind strengthen 15 gust 20 from the east. We were headed to sunset point marina at the junction of the GICW and beach road/Tom Adams bridge in the area of Englewood, FL. This is a private/small marina/condo owned by Leo. It was time to do engine maintenance and clean the exterior of the boat again. Leo said he can dispose of my waste oil and filters. Leo owns about 8 slips and a 4 room condo. He has free laundry, free bicycles and will take me tomorrow to buy oil. Leo has been great getting us settled and orientated. Docks are fixed but new. Electrical and water outlets are new. What a hidden gem.
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| Leo's small condo/marina--what a gem |
Leo just opened in January for limited transit space. No diesel here. Several of the local slip holders with big boats came by to say hello. All have been working on their boats--clean and nice trawlers/sport fishermen style preparing for their winter/spring trips to the Bahamas.
My great friend of so many years; we were lieutenants together in flight school in the late 70s, came by to visit for a couple of hours. Excellent visit with Trapper-Joe catching up on stories of old and new. We will chill here for a few days while the winds howl, and the cold front comes through. Chilly air on the way--sweaters back on?
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| Just a short bike ride to the west is the beach |
1327.3 Hobbs; 1561 Sm elapsed
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