Tuesday 14 April 2020
Wishing to beat the forecasted
increasing winds pressing us onto the pier after 0800, we got underway at dawn
without hitting anything or anybody and headed out the channel to find water
conditions less than ideal as we rolled and pitched energetically for the half
hour or so it took to get us across open water to the shelter of Sanibel Island
and into Pine Island Sound. As we ran
north, we passed the length of Sanibel and numerous other smaller associated
islands before getting to Captiva, North Captiva and finally Cayo Costa Island
before we felt the effects of the sea as we passed Boca Grande right after passing
between Cabbage Key with its unique atmosphere and dining and the ultra-exclusive
Useppa Island where we passed into Charlotte Harbor. Then it was under the Boca Grande Causeway
and into the narrow confines of the ICW in Placida Harbor and then the long Lemon
Bay near Englewood. We pulled off the
ICW into a small bay just before the Tom Adams Bridge. Now we have to consider our next and final
big jump across open waters. Modern technology
has enabled the mariner to predict with some accuracy the anticipated
conditions at sea, and we use several favorite site to avoid being too miserable
at sea. Because it does not take too
much to cause misery at sea in a 55-foot boat, we are always looking for a
prediction of the very lowest of wave heights before we attempt a long offshore
run like the 206-mile run from Tampa Bay area to Dog Island Pass. Right now, we are seeing excellent predictions
for Sunday into Monday. We hope that
prediction stays intact, but even with such a prediction, we always remember
that it is the open sea we are dealing with, and the difference of 0-2 foot
wave height which is easily enough withstood and 3-4 foot seas with the occasional
5-footer can really throw us around in a most uncomfortable way. Our current plan in this 90_plus degree
weather is to motor on up to tampa Bay tomorrow and anchor some place. Then we will likely go to Twin Dolphins
Marina on the Manatee River for several days hoping the weather window holds
for early Sunday departure.
