Steinhatchee, FL to Gulfport, FL

Sunday, January 21. The group of boaters will now shrink after today. Four of the boats plan to leave Monday morning for Crystal River. We are staying back as we are a little apprehensive to deal with ‘Sporty’ waves. The ‘Sporty’ description means ‘Big Water’, not what we count on for ok - ish conditions. Personally, I’m looking for what my brothers and I used to say was waterskiing water when we were kids.

Sunday’s weather shows too much wind and way too cold to leave just yet.

Sunday before the playoff games. Mixed bag of fans—it was cold so we all were back at our boats by 7:15pm.

Pictured left: Bruce & Maggie and dog Yeti-no boat as they completed the loop and were on their way to present at the AGLCA Winter Rendezvous, this week in Punta Gorda, FL., Kurt & Deborah(Honey Badger), Upper left: Jay & Kathleen(Loon-A-Sea), Greg & Lisa(Beach Breeze), Darth and I, Bobby & Elaine(In Cahoots), Karl(Callie B). Seated are Mike & Bobbi and dog Tucker(Tortue De Mar) and Keith & Malinda(Sea Cottage).

Malinda made taco soup which started a delicious potluck of food we all contributed to.

Monday, January 22. Today we had sunshine and temps reached 60+ degrees. It felt so good to feel the warmth from the sun again.

Darth and I went for a long bike ride around Steinhatchee. We learned that the town comes alive from mid-June to Labor Day during Scallop Season, at this time its very quiet.

This is a Live Oak a common tree in Florida. This is Spanish Moss growing that is typical in older Live Oak trees.

We chatted with a gentleman who feeds these cats every day and sometimes at 2:00am when they meow by his window. There were so many spread out as he put food down.

VRBO? We saw many places for RVs, small cabins, and just about any place to hang one’s hat during scallop season.

Tuesday, January 23rd. Preparations are being made to leave after hearing from the 3 boats that left this morning. They said the water was 1-2 foot waves, and weather predicted much the same for tomorrow.

Such a beautiful morning. The pelican was kind to fly in the sunrise photo.

A little later we were visited by this manatee in the Steinhatchee marina.

Wednesday, January 24th. We left at 7:30 am to Chrystal River our destination 82 nautical miles away. Another very long cruise. The water was calm the whole way, and we cruised to our anchorage about 3:30pm. We were invited to join Keith & Malinda (Sea Cottage) and Greg & Lisa (Beach Breeze) to eat at Crackers a restaurant accessible by dinghy.

Bobby and Elaine’s dinghy is over 70#s so we went to their boat to assist Bobby with putting it on their dinghy. Darth had just suggested Bobby tie a rope to the motor before transferring it to the dinghy. Bobby asked me to tie it for him. When he lifted the motor and leaned it on the platform it slipped and plunged into the water. Thankfully, the rope held and he was able to retrieve the soaked motor. Needless to say after several attempts to dry out the motors insides, Darth was unable to revive the motor to join the rest.

Taking the motor mishap in stride we stayed with Bobby and Elaine for a delicious spaghetti dinner made by Elaine. These two are troopers!

Yes, Snickers is a trooper too.

The evening was beautiful with the moonrise.

Thursday, January 25th. Went to shore to walk about 1.5 miles to town with Darth and Elaine to get groceries. Bobby went to get his motor fixed and purchase a new motor half the weight of the old one. They had pulled anchor and docked next to the Crystal River fuel dock.

After going back to our boat with groceries, Darth and I pulled anchor and motored to the Crystal River fuel dock to be ready to leave the following morning. At the dock, there were about 12 folks watching the dockhand cleaning fish. The pelicans were all very close in the water. Bobby and I went through a screen door to join the crowd and see the entertainment of the pelicans.

This one pelican is the only one allowed on the dock. He is like a pet and waits patienly for handouts.

The dockhand, cleaning the fish, gave me a large piece of fish and told me to dangle it in the water. I thought the pelicans did something spectacular as everyone seemed to enjoy watching me dangle this fish and said don’t stop.

There were more pelicans than are shown in this photo.

WELL….. all of a sudden the biggest fish I have ever seen whooshed and snapped the piece of fish out of my hand! The crowd burst into laughter and I truly was taken hook, line and sinker for a laugh.

My attention was set on the pelicans.

This is only his head! And I’m told Tarpon fish do not have teeth—oh really—at the moment I did not have a heartbeat!! This is from a video Bobby took—I should have known when they said he needed to take a video.

Darth and I reset our anchor in the bay. Greg & Lisa invited all four couples for early docktails as we all were leaving for Tarpon Springs the next morning.

Friday, January 26th. We left at 7:30am for another long cruise to Tarpon Springs-approximately 70NM.

The water was the calmest water we have seen so far while crossing on the Big Bend route. It would have been wonderful— but it was also the foggiest day and we were out in the Gulf of Mexico. We have radar and the four boats were tuned into channel 71 on vhf to report if any issues come up. We also have another radio on board that channel 16 is on for notifications from the Coast Guard in the area.

Another issue this day was the multitude of crabpots to watch for. It’s like Wilson from the movie ‘Castaway’ is joined by cousins, aunts, uncles and his many friends. The crabpots are set in groups of 4 or more and usually not close enough to go around a cluster, but to go through a couple of them only to be met by another string of them. ALL different colors. One of our fellow boats (Sea Cottage) did hit one but thankfully they were able to untangle their prop by diving in to do so.

We had a dolphin join us for a few minutes—this shows also how foggy it was.

When we arrived at our destination marina in Tarpon Springs it was like deja vu for Bobby and Elaine. The fixed dock was very high making it nearly impossible for them to hoist Snickers out to shore. Also, we only reserved this marina as it advertised a floating dock. B&E made some phone calls and we agreed to travel another 14 miles to Clearwater Beach Municiple Marina.

Such a different view! We have entered a popular destination here in Clearwater.

Saturday, January 27th. Today Bobby and Elaine announced they were going to stop their Great Loop adventure and sell their Ranger Tug 27. It was a joint decision they made due to the challenges and their comfort zone to continue. We will miss their friendship and laughter but completely support their decision. It would be a few days before they would leave.

Darth and I walked to the Clearwater beach and enjoyed the warm day.

We saw the shark boat many times go out. We could hear the guide say ‘keep track of your hats…. the boat only goes back for hats if you are still in them.’

People everywhere!! This is Florida. Fun seeing everyone enjoying.

Love the turtles on top of the beach water stations for getting sand off.

On our way to eat at ‘Bait Fish’ and then walk to Pier 66 for the Saturday evening market.

Blond pelicans at attention— they really are fun to watch.

January 29. Elaine, Darth and I took the Jolly Trolley to Tarpon Springs to check out this well know Greek town full of sea sponges. Bobby stayed behind to begin the process of coordinating a place for their boat while they prepare it to sell.

This is a great bus service that stops at nearby small communities long the way to Tarpon Springs.

One of the many boats with sponges.

Elaine found out where the locals buy their food for lunch. It was delicious.

Our favorite sponge shop after visiting nearly every one on the main street.

We have a pelican guard.

We all joined on Greg & Lisa’s boat with Keith and Malinda for docktails and well wishes for B&E.

Monday, January 29. This would be our last night with Bobby and Elaine. Bobby will fly out in the morning to retrieve his truck and trailer from Pensacola. Elaine will stay behind with Snickers to clean and get some essentials ready to pack when Bobby returned on Wednesday. Darth and I will be leaving as planned after being assured Elaine will have help with getting Snickers off the boat while Bobby is gone.

The four of us walked to the well known Frenchies Original Cafe. We had our first taste of she crab soup and boiled shrimp, all delicious.

Tuesday, January 30. After our good-byes we left with Sea Cottage and Beach Breeze to an unknown anchor destination—not too far.

This is a free dock to stop at for McDonalds and a quick grocery stop if needed. The only request is boats leave after one hour.

After cruising only 14 nautical miles we decided to anchor with the two boats at Boca Ciega Bay.

Wednesday, January 31. The three of us had different destinations in mind. Because we have a shallow draft, Darth and I are able to take advantage of anchorages that are too shallow for the larger boats. We wanted to find an anchorage we could dinghy over to walk a beach. We chose what is called the Don CeSar anchorage at St. Pete Beach. Only about 11 miles away.

Anchorage was right after passing by this island full of pelicans and white egrets in the trees.

The view in front of the boat is the Don CeSar Hotel.

We dinghy’d to shore—it was pretty windy.

Me: Are you smiling?

Darth: Yes.

Thursday, February 1. Again we went to shore as the morning was calm, and sunny. After walking the beach and finding many colorful seashells, we decided it was time to head back to the boat. The Don CeSar Hotel was open and on our way so we had to have a look. Inside it was inviting and we were shown their history wall to learn more about the hotel.

Amazing to see how it looked without all the hotels that are there today.

Brief history: Hotel opens in 1928. The owner, Thomas Rowe has a heart attack and dies suddenly in the lobby of the hotel in 1940. In 1942 the U.S. Army purchases the hotel to be used as a sub-base hospital, then a convalescent center for airmen returning from their WWII tour. At the end of WWII the site is recommessioned, serving as a VA Headquarters and gradually falls into disrepair. It is vacated by the U.S. government in 1969. In 1972 William Bowman becomes the new oner and began the $3.5 million restoration project. In 1973 the Don CeSar hotel reopens. 1989 the Don CeSar joins the National Trust’s Historic Hotels of America and is designIated the only historic resort on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Inside shop—Uncle Andy’s candy.

This photo shows the Don CeSar how it looks today.

One of two beach side swimming pools that we saw.

We left the anchorage and cruised only 5 miles to our current location of the Gulfport Municipal Marina where we will stay for the next 7 days.