Anticipation of the Gulf

We're on track to make the Gulf crossing between Dog Island near Caravelle, FL and Anaclote Key near Tarpon Springs, FL starting this afternoon.  Wave action is below 2' (good).  Winds are below 10 mph (good).  No storms or rain in the forecast for the next few days (good).  However winds pick up after midnight when we'll be just over halfway to our destination (Hmmmmm.....).  Though looks like it won't affect wave action (good).  No experts in Appalachicola for us to consult (shoot!).  Bill, the harbor master at Dunedin, FL has retired, so our phone call to the Dunedin Marina didn't help us (double shoot!).  Time to trust ourselves and what we've learned thus far from our cruising experience (yikes!).

How do we prepare ourselves to make the crossing?  Our daily prayers leading to today have included requests for wisdom and discernment.  We've reviewed the weather, tides, waves, winds constantly. We fueled up and topped off our water supply in Appalachicola.  Before entering the Gulf, to protect our dinghy from any damaging wave action, we will remove it from its davit system (braces that secure it to the boat) and secure it in a rear area of the boat where it will be safe.  We will let our family know that we're crossing this afternoon and that we should arrive at our destination around noon on Friday.  We will prepare a "ditch bag" (survival kit that floats) equipped with flares, life vests, water and food supplies.  

Unlike the last crossing we did last July, we don't expect a full moon to light our way, nor do we expect the unbelievably smooth ride we experienced.  We are braced for whatever we confront and along the way, will enjoy some card games, movies, and coordinated naps to get us to the "other side."

Here's Mike at the helm.  The temps in the mornings have been in the low 30s and the highs in the low 50s which has kept us inside the salon at the helm rather than the flying bridge.

As we cruised through the areas between Panama City and Appalachicola,
we observed signs still left of Hurricane Michael's destruction, as scene in the above photo and the photos that follow.

Notice the trees.  While this house doesn't have it, many homes in this area still had blue tarps protecting their roofs.

In so many areas, it was the condition of the tree lines that told the story of the hurricane's strong winds and beating waters.

Last night we anchored in an oxbow off the Searcy River.  Reviewers commented that one should be on the lookout for alligators.  Alas, Mike searched and searched to no avail.  We have YET to see an alligator on our Looping cruising!

Once again we were awed by the beautiful sunset.

This was taken along the shores of Appalachicola.

We're back in pelican country!  This guy is sunning himself next to a building that
perhaps was damaged during the hurricane.

This photo, too, was taken along the waters of Appalachicola.  The people here have done
a remarkable job recovering as best they can since the hurricane.