Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 – Clearwater, Mandaley Channel, GIWW mile 137.5

 We were up about 6:30 am and noticed that Zephyr was high and dry. Checking the tide tables, we saw that the morning low tide was about a foot lower than normal. At least, it didn’t look like the boat was listing to one side or the other – in fact, they didn’t even know they were aground. Zephyr drafts about 5 feet compared to Blue Heron’s 2-foot draft so we were floating quite nicely.

 We had agreed to leave at 10 am and head for Clearwater. Maureen had a bit of difficulty getting the anchor up and discovered that we were hooked on an old crab trap. No wonder our holding was so good. Gale came up to the bow and helped to free the anchor from the trap. Unfortunately, we dropped it right back in the water so another unsuspecting cruiser will probably hook it again someday. Zephyr encountered similar problems only they were snagged on the line of a crab trap rather than the wire cage which was a little easier to disengage.

 












We were soon on our way enjoying a beautiful 70 degree, calm and sunny morning. Once we were out of the river and out into the main channel, we experienced NNE winds from 3 to 15 knots. We put up the headsail and took advantage of the breezes.

 

















 
 At 2 pm, we tied up to the dock at Frenchy’s Saltwater Café near Clearwater Beach. We had been here once before when we made our first crossing from Carabelle in 2009. At that time, we tried the grouper reuben at Frenchy’s, a sandwich we still talk about. This time, however, we had already had lunch so we ordered drinks and then went for a walk on the beach.

 
 






As evening approached, it was time to leave the dock and anchor. We rested for the night in a very peaceful and quiet place.

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