Waiting for a Weather Window Again


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Published: May 15th 2011
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Coast Guard at workCoast Guard at workCoast Guard at work

putting up new channel markers in the Anclote River entry channel
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAT!

Thursday morning we left the marina and cruised all the way next door, about 50’, for fuel. After taking on nearly 60 gallons of diesel, we were ready to head north again. We’ve got full fuel tanks, full water tanks, clean clothes and clean bodies. Let’s go.

We cruised on, heading for Cedar Keys. The gulf waters were just a little choppy as we started out, but the wind picked up through the afternoon and the waves got steeper. We decided to head in to Crystal River. We knew that with a cold front on the way, we would probably be stuck here for several days. Since I had charted a fairly straight course for Cedar Keys, by the time we decided to go to Crystal River, we were about 12 miles offshore. The water calmed a little by the time we reached the marked channel into Crystal River, but not calm enough to change our minds.

Pete’s Pier was closed by the time we reached it after 7 in the evening, so we tied up at the far end of the fuel dock. It was a pretty warm night and we were happy to
Beautiful waterBeautiful waterBeautiful water

Gulf of Mexico
have electricity to run our fan.

Friday morning we paid for 3 nights, but may have to stay longer. Again, we are waiting on a weather window. The Gulf of Mexico is no fun in rough seas.

At the dock there is a fish cleaning station, and hanging around the fish cleaning station are some of the biggest tarpon I have ever seen. Some of them were more than 6’ long, obviously well fed. It’s interesting to watch the water roiling when fish scraps are thrown in and those big fish are fighting for a taste. They will even take a fish carcass out of your hand if you hold it down near the water.

Saturday morning we saw lots of boats on the water around the marina. The cold front was due in this afternoon, but folks were getting their boat time in before the storms. The wind was pretty strong out of the west and blowing the water right at the marina. That combined with high tide made for a very high water level. The waves, pushed by the wind, were breaking over the fuel dock. The water was level with the walkways, even over
TarponTarponTarpon

hard to see for the glare, but they are whoppers
in some spots. When the rain came, it blew hard, but didn’t last very long. There may be more on the way.

The forecast looks like the gulf won’t settle down until Wednesday, so we’ll wait it out.

More later…



Additional photos below
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TarponTarpon
Tarpon

if you look closely, you can see one has his mouth open
Choppy watersChoppy waters
Choppy waters

in Crystal River
at Pete's Pierat Pete's Pier
at Pete's Pier

waves breaking over the fuel dock


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