Apalachicola to Clearwater

We had a nice quiet spot in Apalachicola for the week. On Thursday at 3:30pm we cast our lines for our biggest voyage yet aboard Inconceivable. We have a 177 mile journey to Clearwater. This will be our second overnight trip. We were hoping to see some of the other Loopers while crossing, but we didn't.  We knew that we were one of eleven boaters making the crossing. Andrew and I rotated driving every 3 hours.

At 5:45pm the sun was setting fast and we were waiting for the moon to rise and light our way.

The moon was bright and the water had some swells due to the winds but nothing to worry about.

Daybreak at 5:30am

The sun is starting to rise and we know we have 77 miles left to reach Clearwater. We had to watch our heading so we were not driving directly into the sun.

We saw four large dolphin pods playing in the early morning sun. One pod ventured over and played in our bow wake.

The sun ducked behind the clouds and we could change course and head into port. We were told to watch out for the crab pots. We saw a few, but definitely no where close to what is laid out in the Chesapeake Bay.

We arrived in Clearwater at 1:15pm.

After sitting and not getting off the boat for 20 hours the Captain called a no school day and we headed to the beach. Water temp was 65 degrees. 

St. Andrew's Marina to Apalachicola,FL

We left St. Andrew's Marina and set out for Apalachicola. 

 tender or tow? 

These two sister speedboats were having fun playing in each others wakes.

We made it to Apalachicola and will be here for a few days while we wait for our weather window for our 22 hour crossing to Clearwater,FL.

Fort Walton Beach, FL to St. Andrews Marina

We woke up Thursday morning with temperatures in the mid 30's and a gentle breeze. The photo above is the Fort Walton Beach Bridge.

This section of the canal is known as the "Grand Canyon" of Florida. The sand that was dug out to create the canal was put on the banks and created some cool cliffs.

We can see Panama City Beach, FL as we enter the West Bay.

We are getting close to setting up for our Gulf Crossing. If the weather holds out we could be in Clearwater by Wednesday or Thursday.

Perdido Key, FL to Fort Walton Beach, FL

The 20 knot winds arrived at 7:30am, time to pull up the anchor and get underway. Andrew worked the windlass on the bow. 

  We wanted to be across Pensacola Bay before the expected 40 knot winds approached. The bay was starting to get choppy when we tucked up behind Santa Rosa Sound.

When we approached Navaree, FL the sun was out and the storm front passed us by.

We are at the free dock in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. Glory Days, Adagio, and Gemini are also docking here for the night.

Eastern Shore Marine to Perdido Key,FL

After our two week stay at Eastern Shore Marine we cast off our lines and ventured out into Mobile Bay on a foggy morning. 

A dredge hard at work in  Bon Secour Bay. 

 We arrived at  LuLu's at 12:30pm, perfect timing. However, they were closed due to refinishing the floors. LuLu's we will be back. 

Dolphins! We missed seeing you play in our wake.

 Our anchor spot for the night was off of Perdido Key, FL. We dropped the dingy and engine and headed over to the shore.