Port Salerno

We left Clewiston around 6:30am around first light to 
get across Lake Okeechobee before it became too rough. Needless to say it already was building up from a northeast wind with waves that were very steep and close together because of the shallow bottom lake. Crossing depth was no problem for us. The least we saw was 4.3 feet for a short stretch. After that challenge we locked through Pt Mayaka then cruised down the St. Lucie to our final lock. We locked through with two other boats and all was well. When the gates opened the sailboat that was between us and the first boat couldn't start his engine. NOw this was at least a 50 foot sailboat. The locks only have 2 lock times 10am and 3pm. THere were several(like about 10) boats waiting on the other side to lock through. The lock-master asked us if we could pull the sailboat out  so it doesn't tie up the lock. Well, the winds were strong, but the Simplicity gave it a shot. I almost fell in and Alan was trying to operate the boat in a strong wind. We finally tied a line to him and attempted this fiasco. Needless to say, we were the little tug that couldn't. It was really because of the wind that plastered us against one of the narrow walls. Somehow we sustained no damage to the boat. We said sorry, but we can't do it so the lock-master called a Tug boat that could. After that we proceeded on to Stuart. We tied up to Southeast anchorage free dock and walked around Old Stuart. We then cruised to Manatee pocket to anchor for the night because the winds were really picking up, but to no success. For some reason our anchor was not holding. We attempted to anchor in another spot and the same thing. Finally we pulled into Pirates Cove Resort and marina got a slip for the night and broke out the wine bottle. Tomorrow will be another day.

Clewiston

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM!!!!

We arrived Clewiston and stayed at Maryann and Roland Martin's marina for the night. Met up at the Tiki bar with my sister Pat and husband John, also my nephew Chris, Kim and the kids(Carmen, Jorden and Brason). Later Brenda, Veronica, Robin and Shine came by and we caught up on old times. We used to have a business here in Clewiston so it was good to see them all again.  Brenda greeted us on the dike as we were coming down the Rim canal to CLewiston.  Lake Okeechobee is still real low as seen in pictures. Floating dock is out of water on boat ramp in Rim Canal. Since we don't draw too much, crossing the Lake on the intercoastal should be fine. Everyone says just stay close to the green marker near Port Mayaka. 

Visits from family at Clewiston

Captain Carmen at the wheel!

Gas Prices and fuel economy

This is for Greg who is interested in the gas prices and fuel economy on the boat.  Alan has posted on c-brats today that very information. We have average around 3.7 to 3.9 until today and it was 4.2 nmpg. The highest gas price was in Tarpon Springs and the lowest was in St. Marks. Today it was $4.10 pg at Ft. Myers Yacht Basin not counting our US Boat discount. THe cheapest slip cost was at St. Marks @ 50cents a foot and NICE showers. The worst was Tarpon SPrings and the showers were disgusting. We didn't even use them. You shared the bathroom/shower(one)with the tiki bar customers. Needless to say I don't recommend them. The marina staff was nice, but the owner need to do better than that. This was at the landings.

Ft Myers, Fl

We arrived at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin around noon. Fueled up and got a slip for the night. We decided that because of the weather we were going to go across Lake Okeechobee to Stuart. We called Franklin locks and checked their schedule along with the lake level for crossing. It is nice to be in a smaller boat with less draft. We rented a car for the day (Enterprise 32.99 a day) and drove to Marco Island to see ALan's dad and then did some shopping to restock provisions. After being on I-75 I am glad to be back on the boat.

Venice, Fl

We pulled in around noon and there was ONE spot left on town dock. It is great to be a smaller boat!! Tied up and walked to downtown Venice, about a mile and a half. Treated ourselves to our favorite, butter pecan ice cream.  I fixed dinner onboard and we crashed. We saw this young man go by us in a  small john boat with a weed-eater motor attached to it. What an inventive idea. Will travel tomorrow to Ft. Myers .

Longboat Key

Sunshine Skyway Bridge




We arrived in Longboat Key and decided to drop the hook for the night among all the BIG yachts. It was real rocky for awhile from the passing boats, but calmed down after dark.  This is really a pretty anchorage, but my advice do it during the weekdays. Can dinghy to stone crab restaurant for dinner. We chose to stay onboard and enjoy red beans and rice. Alan went kayaking and fishing. I caught up on my emails. Next stop is Venice, Fl and hopefully the free town dock.

Tarpon Springs

We arrived in Tarpon Springs and tried to tie up to city docks with no luck. We stayed at the marina across from the docks and walked over to eat lunch. I had be dreaming about greek food all day. While crossing the gulf Alan stopped and took a quick swim.  The water was absolutely  beautiful that day and crystal clear. While we were in dock we met John of Hotwire. He invited us to his house for dinner where we met Libby and she made us feel so welcomed. It was a fun evening and they are the nicest people. I love the fan that they invented and I highly recommend it to boaters. Visit there website at www.svhotwire.com and check out the cool stuff they have.

Tarpon Springs

Left Suwanee in the early morning and headed for Cedar Keys. While we were tying up, Captain Doug Maple of Tidewater Tours came up to look at the boat. It seems he just bought the boat "Shorty" from Mike at Three Rivers Marine. It is the 26 foot Cape Cruiser and did the great loop last year.  If you are in Cedar Keys and want a tour off the islands Doug is your man @ tidewatertours.com. We had lunch there and because the winds seemed to be laying down a bit we continued on the Crystal River. Upon entering the channel of Crystal River it seemed like we were in the Keys. Shell islands with Palm Trees. It looked so tropical. We met a really nice young man who went out of his way to help us out. Captain Kyle Messler of Red Hot Fishing Charters showed us where to tie for the night and to walk to West Marine and the grocery store. He seems to have a first class operation, so if you are in the area look him up to go fishing. Redhotfishingcharters.com Stayed at a local county dock for the night and headed out this morning for Tarpon Springs. 

Suwannee River -still waiting

We cruised all the way up to Fanning Springs where we had shore leave and ate at this really GOOD restaurant across the highway.Jay Eason a financial retirement planner was chatting with us and recommended it. Thank You Jay it was what you said it would be.  We tied up and spent the night at the dock there in Fanning Springs. Not a good night because it was across from a boat ramp and a lot of bass and fishing boats even in the night.We left Fanning Springs and started back down the river.   Made a stop by Manatee Springs State Park again this morning for a walk and met some really nice people. First was Bob Whitehead of Bradenton. He so knowledgeable of boats that Alan could have talked all day to him. He really like the Simplicity and was admiring her. Also, I am sorry to say we didn't catch their name was another couple from Conyers , Georgia. He is in the process of building his own boat and they too are planning to retire and cruise one day in the future. If you read this blog, please email us your
 name and the boat plans again. It was a beautiful day today on the Suwannee and we are hoping tomorrow to cross to Cedar Key. We stayed the night at Miller Marina in the town of Suwanee. We will watch the weather and grin and bear it or should I say grit my teeth.

Suwannee River

We crossed the gulf from Steinhatchee to the Suwannee River in 2-3 and sometimes 4ft swells. I don't know what the noaa weather man was smoking that day when the forecast was 1-2. THankful Alan would zig zag into the waves and then back for a following sea to avoid a beam sea. I know now what boat surfing is.  After listening to the weather again, we decided to hold up in the Suwannee and go upriver as far as we can to explore. Hopefully the weather will clear enough that the waves will be about a foot and we will head to Crystal River by the end of this week. The Swannnee has been beautiful and quiet. Not much boat traffic here. We stayed at Manatee Springs state park last night on their dock. Payed campsite fee, but had use of Springs and showers. Today we are headed to Fanning Springs and hopefully dock so we can restock groceries. Will keep you posted as internet service is available. 

Steinhatchee, Fl

We arrived Steinhatchee around 11:20 am. We left St. Marks around 6:40 am cruising speed around 19knots. Seas were much calmer today. Alan had programed in the way-points for the R20 and R 18 in the GPS for our course. Thank Goodness, because the coast guard according to Captain Bill of towboat us has removed the R markers marking channel from St. Marks to Cedar Key. Captain Bill was very informative and gave Alan some way-points to use to get to Suwannee and Cedar Key. What a shame the Coast Guard did this  because the scenery is great along the coast here. You still can, but just follow your way-points and don't think you are crazy when you get there and no buoy to be found. Personally, if you have time I would rather stop and enjoy these small towns rather than cut across the gulf in record speed and miss out. We ate lunch at Lynn-Rich restaurant (GOOD food and GOOD service!!) towards the Post office, then stopped in this "One of a Kind" shop and met Clayton"Stickman" Oaks Sr. who is the owner and craftsman that has some very interesting furniture and such. We are staying at River Haven Marina past the bridge and will leave for Suwannee tomorrow.

Kayaking Wakulla River

Alan had a great time kayaking on the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers yesterday. He paddled about 6 miles up the Wakulla and said it was crystal clear. Didn't see any manatees, but the view was great. Later after dinner we walked around town , met a few locals and just chilled out.

Today Zack will be joining us for lunch and we will walk over to the museum at the fort here. Forecast calls for rain today so we will see.

Still in St. Marks

Started out this am for Steinhatchee and had to turn back. Gulf to rough for us to travel and will stay in St. Marks till Sunday . Oh Well, time to clean the boat and do laundry while Alan goes kayaking.

St. Marks

We left Carrabelle after fueling up at C-Quarters marine. Very NICE people and would go back there again. We left around 7:15am thinking that the winds would lay down for awhile. WRONG!! We were out in the gulf with around 4ft seas(I think more) and I was green. Finally after about two hours of that we came into St. Marks channel and it became peacefull again. After docking at Shields marina, Zack met up with us and we had lunch at Riverdside Cafe. Walked around the very small but, quaint town for a bit. We both like St. Marks and would probably come back here again It is about 20 miles south of Tallahassee. We will get up early and leave tomorrow for Steinhatchee before the winds pick up. We won't be eating any breakfast before hand I can tell you.

The "Simplicity"

Carrabelle

Well, this has not been what I expected. After Port St. Joe marina's hospitality we expected the same everywhere. We pulled into Mooring's marina to fuel up and dock for a couple of hours to eat and see the town. No other boats there, the dock-master couldn't tie up his fuel dock for an hour or two.I could understand that, but there was plenty of room to the side that would accommodate us for a very short time. Guess we weren't big enough(not drinking up the gas) that it wasn't worth it to him. He offered one of the slips, but you have to understand how hard it is to maneuver this boat in the winds(15-20 knots) when he could have let us walk around a few feet. Anyway, we are anchored in the harbor and will leave here in the morning if the winds permit.There looks like there is a really nice marina across from our anchorage. Will check it out in the morning.

Appalachicola

We stayed the night here at Scipio Creek Marina in Appalachicola. It was quiet and I fixed dinner on the boat. We ate here last year so I wanted to try Carrabelle's seafood next. We leave out this morning for our next stop to Carrabelle. We will anchor or stay at a marina in Carrabelle and eat more seafood. Marc Grove from Wefings stopped by this morning and we had a nice chat. Marc is always full of great info. Thanks Marc! We shoved off at 11:15EST from marina.

Port St Joe

We pulled into St Joe Marina and had lunch at the dockside cafe. We had some of the best wings(other than Southern BBQ) here. While walking around path we met a nice lady named Paula.  She is a former school teacher from Atlanta and was full of information of the area. It is amazing how much she has learned since moving there. It was in front of the CHamber building , which is the old Maddox home. I bet they are kin to us. We look forward to coming back here and meet up with Paula again to look around St. Joe.

April 15, 2008

We launched from Southport on Monday due to the ramp conditions at Lynn Haven. We cruised to Murray's Bayou and anchored for the night. The wind was howling, but we were in a protected cove and slept fairly well. No one else around except 3 boats that seem to be on a permanent mooring. There was a shipbuilding yard next to us, but all was quiet.

April13,2008

We have just about packed the boat and she will probably sink. I am trying to keep it simple, but it is hard when you are going on  a long voyage. We are having lunch tomorrow with Mom , Connie and etal to send us off. We will be leaving on Tuesday am early from Lynn HAven Florida.