Travels of the Confetti

The Crossing: First Half  2/13/11 - 2/14/11 We left Pearl Bayou on a gorgeous sunny day with very little wind which was fortunate as we were beginning an open water crossing where the Intercoastal Canal ends and can't protect us from the waves in the Gulf of Mexico. The first leg is across Apalachee Bay and St. George Sound which are large bodies of water but partially protected. We anchored in a rather open place but a good jumping off spot to start before daylight. We pulled up anchor at 4:30AM and eased into the Gulf. It was very smooth; actually too smooth. When there is no wind on the water and no clouds in the sky and no features on the horizon it is very difficult to steer a straight course. The compass and even the GPS has a little delay telling your heading so you end up steering lazy arcs, left then right. It was monotonous but the rough water alternative is far worse as we found out the first time through here last year. We pulled into Steinhatchee, FL after a 12 hour run. This was one half the crossing before the Intercoastal Canal starts again in Tarpon Springs, FL.. Steinhatchee is a very small town with a marina and two restaurants. We met a couple of "loopers" Bill and Charlotte on the "Precious Time" and had lunch with them. We expect to run across them from time to time over the next couple of months as we are both headed for the AGLCA Rendezvous in Norfolk, VA in May. After a day in port the weather looked right so we cast off and started the second leg of the crossing which was to be two days.