We arrived at Carrabelle, Florida on November 13. This is a safe harbor to wait for a good weather window to cross the gulf. It is a very quaint small town. We enjoyed the museum and the smallest police station in the USA (a phone booth). We enjoyed the shops, beaches and biking but the weather window to cross the gulf was not enjoyable! We did attempt to cross on November 14, as it was predicted to be “doable”, but 4 out of the 5 boats returned due to the weather worsening. It was a little scary!! The boat name “No Agenda” is appropriate as this trip is all about going with the flow! You can’t plan for Mother Nature!!
The weather window according to all of the great weather prognosticators would not be safe or comfortable for a crossing, until after Thanksgiving! So, what do you do in Carabelle for 10 days? Our fellow looper friends Mitch and Anne had arrived and we met them at “Harry’s Bar” and decided to rent a car and see the sights on Florida’s gulf coast. Anne and Mitch live in Hudson, Florida and graciously let us stay with them on our “mini vacation”.
We enjoyed Tarpon Springs. The area is known for its sponge docks and Greek eateries along the waterfront. You could smell the bakeries…yum. We had Baklava, layered pastry dessert. We talked to a sponge diver/shop owner who showed us the old navigation tools. The divers would throw out a weight with soap on it to determine depth of water and bottom contents. The sponges were in the rocky area.
Mitch and Anne took us to St. Petersburg for the afternoon and we visited the Dali museum. Salvador Dali was known as the great Spanish Surrealist artist. He was fascinated by Freudian and Jungian ideas and by nuclear science. He painted objects that were familiar to us but he painted them in ways juxtaposed to other objects that were unusual or unexpected to make the viewer think.
All of the newly acquired art snob culture wore off quickly as our next stop on our way back to Anne and Mitch’s was a boat junkyard! Protected by guard goats!
Anne and Mitch live in Hudson Bay Area . The community has canals crisscrossing it, and they have canals in their backyard! The canals lead to the Hudson Bay. We kayaked from their home and went out into the bay. A dolphin was circling fish in the low tide with pelicans picking up the left overs. It was so cool to watch this unfold from our kayaks. We went further into the canal system to a warm spring area. Manatees were there. A mother manatee nudged my kayak to show me her baby! It was so awesome. She recognized a grandma!!
Our visit to Tampa included a stop at Ybor City. This historic area is full of Cuban flavors, history and nightlife. We had lunch at the famous “Columbia” Spanish Restaurant. It was absolutely delicious and so full of life! We had the legendary salad, tossed table side and the original Cuban sandwich. (and a Cuban draft beer!) We passed lots of shops, cigar shops and bars with names like ” The Dirty Shame”, and “Dysfunctional Grace”.
Next stop downtown Tampa.! We were able to ride a trolley into the downtown area and did enjoy the River walk and History museum. We had a great time with Mitch and Anne! The only thing we missed was the Weeki Watchee Mermaid show!!! It was closed due to power outage!
Cuban refugees crossed to the USA in this boat made from insulation and plastic sheeting, can you imagine? I was scared with 4-5 foot waves in a coastal cruiser!
The weather as far as the waves and winds are looking like we can get to Steinhatchee tomorrow. Mike is planning to leave our marina at Carrabella after lunch and anchor at Alligator Pointe. This will save us an hour of precious daylight tomorrow. Pray for calms seas! If we can get to Steinhatchee tomorrow we will try to anchor at Cedar Key Thursday and get to the intercostal waterway by Friday. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Miss you from our slip in Carrabelle!!!
Beautiful poetry in this blog. I was right there with you as you described all the wonders of your discovery. You met some amazing people, Mike & Anne—so happy for all of your adventures. Happy Thanksgiving hugs & love dear friends.