I must admit I am writing my last blog entry from my own computer right here in Corpus Christi! Nope, I am not out on the water sailing along ! The last few days of our three month vacation in Florida became VERY busy, so I just didn't get to it! Then once we got home last week, our home needed our attention after three months of our being gone! So, today is the day to finish the blog I started way back in April.
June 14th was our day to leave Ft. Meyers, and a beautiful day it was. Sunny, hot and bright! We had decided to make the trip to Bradenton in two days. The seas were realatively calm and yet we had wind and were able to motor sail most of the way to Venice, FL . We had stayed at the Crowsnest Marina before in 2014 and were pleased it was an "easy off" from the Gulf. On top of that, they have a wonderful restaurant, the Crowsnest" on property, so we were hungry for a good meal. Everything remained the same from the year before, so we were happy that we made the stop.
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Leaving Venice for the Gulf
Next morning, we were ready to shove off for our very last day at sea in the Gulf. Spring/summer in Florida usually involves at least one shower per day, as well as hot, hot, hot temperatures. We actually dodged the rain showers each day of this trip to Bradenton! Snead Island Boatworks was our destination, and we arrived mid-afternoon. This particular marina/boatworks is very protected, and can be used as a "hurricane hole" in case of BAD weather. So on these HOT days, there isn't a breeze gently moving through this marina! (will explain why this was NOT good in the next paragraph!!!!)
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At 7:00 AM on Wednesday morning, the POD arrived and we were ready to start the process of removing sails (we have three) and packing ALL of our things. Down below on the boat it is air conditioned but not up top!!!! I believe it was 90+ degrees with HIGH humidity and we were up and down and back and forth to the POD with all of these bundles! I wish I had better descriptive words to explain just how hot it was, but perhaps those words are better left unsaid ###@@@****! Let's just leave it that I am not a fan of high humidity and physical labor! WAA WAA WAA! We finished by 1:00 Thursday afternoon, and pulled out of the marina headed north on I-75.
We were exhausted by six that evening, so we checked into our hotel and after a nice meal, just fell asleep rather easily! We were in the panhandle of Florida and thought we would make it to the Louisiana/Texas boarder that night. Well, we were in Houston by 4:30, so Steve decided he could do the 3 1/2 hr drive from Houston to Corpus and then we would be home! So, that is exactly what we did! Our own bed never looked so good that night! As I mentioned earlier, after being gone for several months, MUCH needs to be taken care of at home and we have been doing just that!
This part of the blog is the END for me. AHHHHH! Steve plans to return to Florida in August to sail Kathryn home across the Gulf. Let's pray for NO hurricanes!!!! He will finish this adventure then and give you a "blow by blow" account after he returns to Texas. So, this is it....it's been a lovely cruise!
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Our Full Pod |
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Our Empty Boat |