To Clearwater Beach and to Cortez Florida to "cross our wake"

Boating to Clearwater from Tarpon was 19 miles of total pleasure; this is our home area! 
Clearwater Beach is a very tourist oriented destination with every kind of water sport in evidence including fishing, diving, snorkling, boat rental, speed boats, pirate ships, dinner cruises, jet skis, sail boat rentals and cruises, etc.
We bicycled the beach, ate a nice meal, watched a little TV and looked forward to the five hour trip home to Cortez.
During the voyage many dolphins surfaced near the boat and actually swam with us as if to say welcome home! 
We enjoyed seeing the many fine properties along the waterway as well as the abundant florida seabirds.

 

      



The Sunshine Skyway

                                      


Home Sweet Home!!



In summary:
This seven month "once in a lifetime", trip resulted a myriad of experiences. We  met so many fine people along the way including many whom we now consider good friends;  we learned the ins and outs of yachting having traveled through every type of water imaginable including lakes, rivers, creeks, channels, sounds and oceans, including the traversing of more than 300 locks of all types.  We once again realize that our country is a  beautiful place with wonderful people eager to learn about us and wanting to share their lives with us.

THE LADY JAYNE CROSSED HER WAKE AT 3:00 pm ON THE 27TH OF OCTOBER, 2011!!

To Crystal River and Tarpon Springs

From Steinhatchee we cruised to Crystal River as an intermediate stop on the way to Tarpon Springs.  Were we surprised!   The Crystal River and environs are simply some of the most pristine wilderness areas we have visited.  We really felt that we were in old Florida.We traveled the river through vast saw grass fields and palm jungles for 10 miles before reaching our marina, Pete's Pier.  The last 5 miles was a showcase of impressive homes and waterfront property.  Crystal River is famous for it's many returning manatees; 17% of all manatees live in this river!
Steinhatchee, Carabelle and Crystal River are well known fishing centers for most species of fish found in Florida.

Tarpon Springs was another surprise.  The 5 mile trip up the river featured  many uninhabited islands, beautiful sandy beaches,dense forests, lots of boats and marinas, and hugh homes; all in a tranquil setting.   Our destination was the City Marina in the heart of the tourist area of Tarpon Springs.
This community began as  a Greek settlement in an area that has  much in common with Greece. Sponges were plentiful and were harvested and exported.   For some reason the once abundant sponges disappeared so the community turned to tourism.  Magically the sponges reappeared in the last 20 years so now the community has sponges and tourism as well!



Indian Mound





A great Greek meal!

 Another plus: After being very concerned  about traveling in the unprotected waters of the Gulf, we lucked out!  During the traveling of over 200 miles of these waters, we experienced excellent seas on all three days!

Tomorrow Wednesday the 26th of October we cruise a short distance to Clearwater Beach.

The following day Thursday the 27th of October we "cross our wake" back to our home in Mariners Cove in Cortez Florida, exactly 7 months from the day we left home on the 27th of March!

We are looking forward to seeing all of our Florida friends soon.

To Apalachicola and Carabelle Florida

Staying an a few extra days in Panama City gave us a chance to get some work done and attend a fine concert from the US Marine's Band from DC.
We enjoyed the eight hour wilderness trip to Apalachicola Friday.  The scenery was as wild as any we had seen  before.  The jellyfish, eagles and  dolphins all contributed to the mood.
The 3 hour cruise to Carabelle was pretty wide open but still protected from the big water of the Gulf of Mexico.
The next two days pending weather will find us traveling in the Gulf itself without the benifit of barrier islands.
A decision will be made on each of the mornings as to whether or not to go.





9/11 memorial at Panama City



 Along the way:

Apalachicola Memorial to All US Soldiers



Good catch of grouper, red snapper, and sea bass!!



On to Steinhatchee!

From Destin to Panama City Florida

On Monday morning after replacing a neutral safety switch on one of our engines we headed for Panama city.

The route took us through some really outstanding scenery.  The dolphins were almost everywhere.
On Tuesday at Panama City the marina people insisted on driving us to the local Publix for some grocery shopping.  Afterward we explored the downtown area on foot.  Later Jayne did the laundry while I engaged in the important job of kibitzing with the local fisherman.





As we left our dock the jellyfish were too numerous to count

  The lakes we traversed today were hugh but the outstanding scenery was in the narrow channel between them.



no snow, just sand and rock



                                           

 

Having breakfast on the water (wearing our Lady Jayne shirts!)

On Wednesday we bought an unlimited bus pass allowing us to tour the entire area; this took place after the local harbour hosts insisted on dropping us at a quaint restaurant for breakfast on the water.
In the early evening we enjoyed talking with loopers from Bradenton, Bill and Phillis whom we had met earlier in our travels   Tomorrow we will stay another night  here  to attend a  concert by the great marine band from Washington DC. 
Then it's off to Apalachicola, Florida.

From Mobile to Ingram Anchorage to Destin Florida

The 30 plus mile trip down Mobile Bay took about 3 1/2 hours.  On the panhandle we saw yet another face of the state of Alabama as we pulled into our beautiful Ingram anchorage.  Jayne and I savored the surroundings as we enjoyed a cocktail on the bridge before retiring.
Whoops!  We had left the refrigerator on overnight draining one of the batteries; as a result we weren't able to start the starboard motor and used one engine for the whole trip to Destin.  We will test the battery and either buy a new one or find the problem. 
The trip today was one of contrasts with the national seashore on the right ( no buildings ) and the plentiful winter homes on the left side.
Pensacola is a great tourist area, offering great fishing and cultural activities; this will be another town to explore at a later date.  The Naval Air Station Museum is another  important attraction which draws many people to the area.





Our Ingram Bay Anchorage




Paddle boarding at Ingram with the puppies!




Pensacola  Air Force Base





Beach Condos





Hurricane damage?



Dunes



Hope the tide isn't high!




big boat, big house!




interesting condo building


Tomorrow we will look forward to moving on to  Panama City.

Mobile

We stayed 3 nights at Mobile which gave us some time to explore this great little city on Mobile Bay.
The city museum was a fine way to learn about the culture and history of this area.
After a trolley ride through the city we enjoyed a great catfish lunch followed by a walk along the Azela trail through town to view the many fine old homes.
While in the museum we were privileged to meet a class of high school girls who are in competion with girls from across the state hoping to be chosen as one of 50 azalea girls.   Those 50 girls will travel throughout the world representing the city of Mobile.


The splendid Rennassance Hotel






Skyline




Nice view




Foyer in the City Museum




Mardi Gras Gown display at the museum




A bicycle shop turned  restaurant

 Today we left Mobile for an anchorage in Alabama just short of the Florida line.  We saw our first dolphins since leaving Florida last spring and are looking forward to enjoying the trip home. 
Tomorrow we stay at the Town of Destin Florida.