Homosassa State Park - Bald Eagle
Cougar
Flamingo
Lou the Hippo
Eating Melons
Spoonbill
Gators
Man feeding Manatee
Dolphin swimming with us as we cross the Gulf
Very smooth sailing today12/16/08 Four of us Looper boats left Carrabelle about 5:30 AM for the trip across the Gulf to Steinhatchee. The day was perfect, sunny and warm; the water had light swells early, but became smoother as the day went on. Porpoises often swam with us. To get into Steinhatchee, we had to follow a narrow, shallow channel from the Gulf in toward land. The day’s travel took about 10 hours and we went almost 80 miles.
12/17/08 There was fog this morning, which delayed our departure until 7:15 AM. However, the day turned into something worth waiting for, a perfect combination of sunshine and smooth water. Our goal was to travel 70-80 miles again. The four of us who were traveling together, "Sunshine", "Blue Max", "Salvage Crew", and us, were joined by "Lola Marie". Overnight, we anchored in the first mile of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a Corps of Engineers project begun in the 1970's, but never completed. The idea was to create a canal to cross from here to the east coast of Florida. Construction started at each end and continued for several years until funding was not renewed. The 6 mile western section of the canal is an excellent anchorage, but unknown to many boaters. The fishermen know about it and many of them in small bouts passed us as they returned to the launch ramp upstream.
12/18/08 We said good-bye to our 4 companion boats this morning as they left for holiday destinations further south. Because we do not have any deadline right now, we gave in to our curiosity and continued inland on the remaining 5 miles of the unfinished Barge Canal, which was turned over to the state of Florida in 1991. Cedar trees grow close together on each side, along with a few palms. After the first 3-4 miles, the cedar trees end and you see more scrub palmetto. At the end of the line, so to speak, there is a completed lock, never used, but finished right down to the lights and signs. The western portion of the canal ends here, rather abruptly.
Returning to the Gulf, we made our way to the city of Crystal River, known for its warm freshwater springs and the manatees who live in the waters there. We tied up at Pete’s Pier Marina and walked to the bait shack, where 3 fishermen were cleaning their catch, an ice chest full of grouper. Two dozen brown pelicans floated in the water nearby and all rushed in noisily each time the fishermen threw scraps in the water.
12/17/08 There was fog this morning, which delayed our departure until 7:15 AM. However, the day turned into something worth waiting for, a perfect combination of sunshine and smooth water. Our goal was to travel 70-80 miles again. The four of us who were traveling together, "Sunshine", "Blue Max", "Salvage Crew", and us, were joined by "Lola Marie". Overnight, we anchored in the first mile of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a Corps of Engineers project begun in the 1970's, but never completed. The idea was to create a canal to cross from here to the east coast of Florida. Construction started at each end and continued for several years until funding was not renewed. The 6 mile western section of the canal is an excellent anchorage, but unknown to many boaters. The fishermen know about it and many of them in small bouts passed us as they returned to the launch ramp upstream.
12/18/08 We said good-bye to our 4 companion boats this morning as they left for holiday destinations further south. Because we do not have any deadline right now, we gave in to our curiosity and continued inland on the remaining 5 miles of the unfinished Barge Canal, which was turned over to the state of Florida in 1991. Cedar trees grow close together on each side, along with a few palms. After the first 3-4 miles, the cedar trees end and you see more scrub palmetto. At the end of the line, so to speak, there is a completed lock, never used, but finished right down to the lights and signs. The western portion of the canal ends here, rather abruptly.
Returning to the Gulf, we made our way to the city of Crystal River, known for its warm freshwater springs and the manatees who live in the waters there. We tied up at Pete’s Pier Marina and walked to the bait shack, where 3 fishermen were cleaning their catch, an ice chest full of grouper. Two dozen brown pelicans floated in the water nearby and all rushed in noisily each time the fishermen threw scraps in the water.
12/19/08 Last night we decided to stay here in Crystal River through Christmas, so we called Enterprise and rented a car for the weekend in order to see the sights. Today we drove south a few miles to Homosassa State Wildlife Park and spent much of the day there, seeing manatees, alligators, reptiles, and all kinds of birds native to Florida.
12/20/08 About a mile from our marina is a variety of stores and restaurants, plus a laundromat, which we used this morning. Later we drove northward toward the Cross Florida Barge Canal, thinking we'd see more of the Greenway that runs alongside it. However, the Greenway is reserved for walkers and hikers, with vehicles limited to a parking area. A man at the marina made several suggestions for sights to see in this area. It turned out that he is the mayor of Crystal River and he and his family live here on their boat.
1 comment:
Aloha, I just found out about your trip talking to Tom yesterday. He was on the mountain and Aunt Peg called me. Have read your blog this morning and I am very impressed with your trip. What an adventure. Now if you would head south, through Panama and go west to Hawaii, I will buy you a MaiTai. Stay safe and enjoy.
Ed Billingsley
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