Wednesday, January 4, 2017
On Thursday, the 17th, we met Tom and Linda Schmidt and made arrangements to travel with them and their trawler, the Mollt B. Tom is an experienced captain and actually built the Molly B over 11 and a half years. We would leave at 10 the next morning and go direct to Tarpon Springs, about 160 miles to the southeast. It would take about 24 hours and be an overnight ceossing, 30 miles offshore of the "big bend."
That same afternoon, Eric, of MS Dockside Marina lifted the Lucky Lady out of the water and she checked out just fine. He also adjusted the rudder and steering. A little later we'd meet up Eric again at Fathom's Steam Room and Raw Bar, across the river. It was open mike night and Eric went from boatyard to bandstand, entertaining all with his really good guitar playing. A trip to Carrabelle simply must include a stop at Farhom's.
That same afternoon, Eric, of MS Dockside Marina lifted the Lucky Lady out of the water and she checked out just fine. He also adjusted the rudder and steering. A little later we'd meet up Eric again at Fathom's Steam Room and Raw Bar, across the river. It was open mike night and Eric went from boatyard to bandstand, entertaining all with his really good guitar playing. A trip to Carrabelle simply must include a stop at Farhom's.
Tuesday, 11/15, was a short run through Appalachicola Bay and St. George Sound to Carrabelle. It took about 3 and a half hours. The intracoastal ends here and picks up at Tarpon Springs, just north of Tampa. There were many things to consider before we would leave on the next leg of the journey, for we'd soon be in the open sea.
We spent the next 2 days on bikes and got to know Carabelle quite well. It was easy. Such a great town - - - with the finest of people. Although it's small, it seems to have whatever you'd want or need. What we were looking for most was local knowledge, good weather, and sound advice.
Way back in Evansville, IN, we learned about a certain group of boaters known as "loopers." These folks travel a circle route (loop) down the rivers and gulf, up the east coast, across to the great lakes and back to the rivers. We met loopers along the way and wanted to cross from panhandle to peninsula with these other boats, if possible. Jimmy also decided to have the Lucky Lady lifted out and looked over.
We spent the next 2 days on bikes and got to know Carabelle quite well. It was easy. Such a great town - - - with the finest of people. Although it's small, it seems to have whatever you'd want or need. What we were looking for most was local knowledge, good weather, and sound advice.
Way back in Evansville, IN, we learned about a certain group of boaters known as "loopers." These folks travel a circle route (loop) down the rivers and gulf, up the east coast, across to the great lakes and back to the rivers. We met loopers along the way and wanted to cross from panhandle to peninsula with these other boats, if possible. Jimmy also decided to have the Lucky Lady lifted out and looked over.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Monday, 11/14, saw the Lucky Lady off to an early start as she left her quiet mooring in West Bay. It was another beautiful day and the water was as calm as we've seen since leaving Louisville. From West Bay we entered St. Andrew Bay and then into East Bay. Back into a narrow canal for a while and then across Lake Wimico . . . a very shallow Lake Wimico with mullet jumping everywhere. The wide open water narrowed again and we were on the Jackson River and then the Appalachicola River. Back in the Eastern time zone.
We passed a swing bridge. Until then I didn't know that such a bridge existed. Soon we'd reach another bridge, Hwy. 98 as it crosses the river and into (or out of) Appalachicola - - - the oyster capital of the world.
We passed a swing bridge. Until then I didn't know that such a bridge existed. Soon we'd reach another bridge, Hwy. 98 as it crosses the river and into (or out of) Appalachicola - - - the oyster capital of the world.
This was the first swing bridge we had ever seen. The disconnected section swings into place when needed.
As seen from the back of the boat at the entrance of Lake Wimico.
As seen from the port side at the enter ace of Lake Wimico.
Entering Lake Wimico.
Secluded camp on the Jackson River.
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