South to Calidesi

My lovely wife and I left our island anchorage and headed south. It was the sort of launch that I like to do: a fine coordination of sail, anchor raising, keel lowering, and tiller handling that got us moving without ever starting the kicker motor.

My wife shot this photo of a dolphin come to visit. Soon there were 5 playing around the boat in the clear water. So where are photos of that? We made a conscious decision to experience the moment rather than take photos. For about 20 minutes they dove under the bow and came up along side. They got Brownie the Sailor Dog very excited. Good fun.

In hopes of getting more wind and tacking room, we headed back out into the Gulf.

Eventually, the wind died down and I had to motor the rest of the way. Coming into Hurricane Pass, the main fuel tank ran dry. I quickly raised a sail to get enough motive power to stay in the channel. I had one hand on the tiller and one pouring fuel from my small Jerry can into tank. Soon the motor started and we motored to Calidesi Island.

It a great state park: nice beach, nature trail, marina, and even a snack bar where you could get a cheeseburger in paradise.

I joked with my lovely wife that many of the other boats had flags. We should run up a pair of my shorts as a flag. Instead, she hoisted a dragon bedspread. Funny girl.

We spent three nights at the marina. At only $1/foot, it was a bargain in a 19 foot boat. It was great R & R. There was a bit of excitement one evening with a very impressive electrical storm. Imagine lightning across the horizon, from sky to sea, all jagged bolts all at once. Then we went to bed in our boat with the big aluminum mast sticking in the sky. Surprisingly, we slept well.

Tomorrow, the trip home.

-Sixbears