The Gulf Crossing is History!

It's finally morning and we're all glad to see Clearwater!

We made it!  We are now in Clearwater in the Clearwater Harbor Marina. We left Carrabelle about 1:30 Thursday afternoon with several other boats: Jeremiah, Glory Days, Gemini, Adagio, Gold Leaf and Laughter. (Algonquin and Sweet Pea planned to travel a little faster so they left a little later.) We arrived here at 11:30 a.m. this Friday morning!

Of course, everyone was a little apprehensive due to all the horror stories we had heard. However, with all the Loopers making this crossing over the past several years, there has never been a boat lost! LOL! Glad to know that!

The crossing was probably the best one yet this season. It started with a little bit of waves (2-3 ft.) but settled down rather quickly. Before we knew it, it was smooth sailing! About 10:30 the moon finally came up. With the moon and all the stars, it was a gorgeous night.

But no matter how gorgeous it was, it didn't change the fact that it was a very long night!! Mike and I took turns driving the boat and taking short naps. It seemed like forever before the morning sun started to come up on the horizon.

Once we saw land, we knew we had made it! But before we could celebrate we had to run the obstacle course of hundreds of crab traps. No one wanted to catch one of those it their props!

We inched along for over 14 miles warning each other about the crab pots on our starboard or on our port. It seemed like forever. But then the Clearwater Bridge came into view! We had made it!

Only 22 hours later! NautiNell had done her job again – this time safely transporting us to the other side of the Gulf and to warmer Florida weather. We knew she wouldn't falter!

We plan to spend some time in Clearwater and to take the "Jolly Trolley" over to Tarpon Springs to check out the sponges and the Greek restaurants.

What an adventure!! What a great time!!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"