The Sterling Lady
on
America's Great Loop
for
The Secound *&%# time!
11/12/09
Up at dawn, winds down to  20 Knots, we depart for Port of St. Joe Marina
20 plus miles of wide water, luckily narrowed into a man made channel for the last 15 miles.
We then turned left for the 5 mile side trip to St. Joe Marina
Look closely for the sunken sail boat mast.
Since we hit Florida, this was the  only fall colored tree. Everything is green.
We tied up at the marina and walked the town, followed by dinner on board.
Had dinner on board, and , yep, you guessed it, went to the local Watering hole located at the marina.
11/13/09
Departing Port St. Joe as the sun rises, today promises to be  a gorgeous day!
Looking aft, we are winding thru a swamp. The Aft deck bimini top is still folded up from hurricane Ida.
Cypress trees and swamp, my favorite.

After passing Apalacicola, we had a 20 mile run thu some large bays. Luckily, the winds are down.
It seems the Air Force "navy" has a boat at Carabelle.
The Moorings marina at Carabelle, a good ,and last choise to wait for a weather window to cross the  gulf.  My angels are with me, we have a good window tommorrow.
11/14/09
It's now 530 am, it's pitch black out, we left the dock about an hour ago, and have just cleared dog island, and entered the Gulf, 107 miles from Cedar Key!
Watching this mornings sun rise over the Gulf was spectacular! We took many pictures of the purple sky, that unfortunatly did not come out, but it was the best I have ever seen!!
Water , water every where,
in front---->
On the Port side...
On the Starboard side..
On the bow....
and to the stern...
No land in site anywhere.. all we saw all day was this balloon.
Click here to add text.
Several times dolphins would come play in our wake.
Cedar Key----->
Finally , after 10 hours, Land Ho! Cedar Key on the Horizon, only 2.5 hours left.
The sun was starting to set as we turned off the Gulf, only 45 min. to our anchorage.
Long story short, we anchored off the boat ramp, and slept like baby's.
11/15/09
I pulled the anchor while the sun came up, and we are South Bound!
Because I wanted to take full advantage of our weather window to cross the gulf, and because we did the long day yesterday, today will only be 60 miles back to the mainland.
a last look back at Cedar Keys.
Today the gulf was more like a lake, about as good as it gets. George (the auto pilot ) did all the driving.
The crab trap "pots" were not too numerous. In fact, the closer we got to the mainland ,the fewer they were in numbers.
Anyone know what kind of Bird this   is???                       ------->
Six and a half hours later, Land HO!!
Now here is a real good example of why the boating world is divided into Power boaters ("Stinkpotters") and Sailors ("Blowboaters).
All three power boats are in a very narrow channel, with shallow waters on either side. All three of us had to stop because this "sailor" crossed directly in front of our bows.
Technically, we had the right of way as we were restricted by our draft, and constrained by the chanel and unable to maneuver.
What a  arogant Jerk!
I could smell the salt air, and mangrove trees lined the inner chanel to Caladesi  State Park, tonites destination. I am definatly getting closer to home.
Caladisi State Park has floating docks, electric and water for $1 a food, and has miles of beach front to shell on.
This sunset we broke out the champagne, and the platinum Looper Flag. Only those who has completed Americas Great loop 2 or more times, may hoist it.
We have, upon crossing the beginning of the ICW channel marker at Tarpon Springs, done just that.
Congratulations , to the Sterling Lady and Crew!!!
The journey and this web blog,  , however , is not done. We still have to get home.
And we will have a celebratory par tay to officially hoist the new flag with friends.
Your all invited.
11/16/09
Today we are doing a little side trip to Burnt Store Marina to visit some good friends, Stan and Jo.
Traveling south Florida's ICW is very recognizable.
An American Legion on the water. I have to join when I get home.
Check this  out, a McDonalds with it's own dock! There is also a Publix and a laundry , and small strip mall here, all accessible by your boat or dinghy! Only in Florida.
Treasure Island Florida has some "old School" houses, right on the ICW.
Cormorants resting on the ribs of an old sunken boat.
Passing Tampa's Skyway Bridge
As we where approaching Sarasota, there was a Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch which we cold see from Sarasota bay, some 150 miles away.
Not  quite as dramatic as the launch we witnessed from
Cape Canaveral.
<-----
As another long day ended, the sun is setting as where arriv at  Venice. This would put us into an easier range tomorrow for Burnt Store Marina.
11/17/09
After anchoring out at Venice, at dawn while leaving, I hear on the weather radio the high today will be 80 degrees!!! Wow, haven't felt that in 7 months!! Just 2 weeks ago, we where in 30 degree weather.
I love Florida.
Just through the bridge, a sunken boat hull was marked by danger bouys.
Just past Venice, is another long straight man made canal.
Finally, a decent shot of a Great Blue Heron. Seems the Florida Herons aren't as skiddish as the hundreds I have seen along the Great Loop.
It has been my observation, that Ferry Boat Captains seem to have little regard for  right of way or saftey.
I didn't know they had their own Navy.  ;-}
Now this is defiantly a Florida Home.
The trail of a Manatee. They make circles on the surface with their fluke (tail) which leaves a very distinct trail on the surface.
We only had to wait 10 minutes to get thru this swing bridge,,,,
There was no delay with this abandoned RR bridge.
Another perfect weather day as we approach Charlotte Harbor. Thanks God!
It  may be ugly but it's fast and has LOTS of room!
The Lady arrived Burnt  Store ($1.75 a foot) about noon, and will stay here for two days.
11/18/09
Went for a walk around the Marina in the early AM,, and found another Morgan Heritage trawler like the lady.  I like mine better.
Gave to the "Santa??" at Publix, then spent the afternoon at the Elks Club.
In just a few days we will be back to reality, @ home in Key Largo.
How will I ever adjust????
11/19/09
Another early morning start, and several long days are in front of us as we MUST be back home in Key Largo by Saturday, to prepare for turkey day, and in reality, there is a lobster dinner party we want to attend.
This is Cabbage Key, another spot that  claims inspired Buffets "Cheesburger in Paradise"
Departing Ft. Meyers,heading out in the Gulf 25 miles to Naples.
This part of the Gulf Coast is lined with Condo's.
At Naples, there is an inland water way route, which if you draw 4 feet or less, you can take to avoid going off shore around the Cape Ramano Shoals. Note to all boaters, that's 4 feet or less , it's real shallow!
Typical Naples "home".Nobody I know lives here. Naples is the place where Florida's Anchoring  rights law was tested, and we won!
The 11 miles mangrove lined chanel to Marco is senic,shallow,and slow going.
At the end of this day, we are anchored in a cove, just across from a beached island.