Its been awhile since my last post. Tried once but again lost everything to cyber space. Finding time to post has been difficult. There is so much to see and do at each port we haven't taken time to try and keep the blog up to date.
Today we are at Capri Isle near Marco Island. We were planing to leave early this morning but we were able to refuel at a better rate/gal. than we have seen for awhile. The last fuel dock was $4.99/gal. The owner of the marina here called a fuel truck who came to the dock and refueled Miss Ellen. However, we had to wait until it was to late to leave for the keys. So we will stay another night here.
Following is a picture looking over St. George Island from our anchorage. We were going into Carrabelle but saw the great anchorage and departed from our plan and anchored out. Great Spot. We used the dinghy and went on shore, walked the beach on the gulf side, picked up shells and enjoyed a deserted beach.
Another beautiful sunset looking out from St. Joe marina. After leaving St. George we crossed the Gulf for the first time. A pleasant crossing headed for Steinhatchee.
Picture of Cona enjoying the wind and view from the St. George anchorage. There were two houses on the island and the only way to reach the homes was by boat or swim (maybe 3 miles).
When we left Steinhatchee headed for Tarpon Springs we were forecasted by NOAA weather to have 2 to 4 foot seas. It turned out to be more like 8 foot. This is a picture of a wave caused by the plunge of the bow into the water. This picture does not portray the real action we experienced. Even though Miss Ellen handled the rough water well it was still rough. I had to throttle back to idle speed and man handle the helm to ride the waves safely. The seas were so rough we lost a ball fender which was snapped off by being thrown up and down by the wave action. Better the fender than me.
By 1:00 the seas began to settle down and we were able to resume speeds of 15 MPH and made port before dark.
Picture of the marina in Tarpon Springs. Great place, Miss Ellen is in the lower left.
Tarpon Springs is the sponge capital and has a huge Greek community.
Rudy doing what he likes best, eating. This was at the Greek restaurant where we had one of the best Greek meals we have ever had.
Cona also ate with Rudy.
Rudy with the shark he caught on the way in to Tarpon Springs.
A place you don't want to be.
Leaving Apalachicola.
Left Tarpon Springs and headed for Venice, Fl.
A bird at our dock in Venice, Fl.
Another sun set, this one from the back of Miss Ellen in Venice Fl.
This is picture of a Manatee. We had a group 5 manatees right off the side of Miss Ellen. The only thing you could see is there backs. Ever 20 minutes they would stick their nose out of the water for air.
Typical shrimp boat passing behind us in Apalachicola.
Leaving the docks in Apalachicola along the shrimp boats.
The Manatees drew a lot of lookers. Cona trying to get a closer look.
There are many Pelicans in this part of the country and this is a visitor siting on a piling at the rear of Miss Ellen.
Jim, Cona's brother joined us in Venice and will be on the Fl leg of our trip. This is a picture of Cona and Jim on the beach at Captiva.
This was such a great spot we stayed two nights. It is a resort marina with both marina slips and cottages/rooms for rent. We had a pool, tennis courts, three restaurants and some shops. We were right across from the gulf beach and one mile to the town of Captiva.
I liked this picture. There is a heron sitting at the helm. Looks like he owns the boat.
Picture of the marina side of the resort.
Cona in front of some typical foliage on the island of Captiva.
Another sun set this one over the gulf at Captiva.
The residence here must be great people.
Typical summer home on Captiva.
More foliage in Captiva. Not Cona, whats shes standing in front of.
Well that's it. We leave for Key West in the morning.
