And finally, Back Home

While we were looking forward to seeing our friends again, we really weren't ready to quit the trip just yet so we decided to anchor again in Hogtown Bayou.  We were joined by Art and his faithful, furry friend Bella.  Art and his wife, Becky, bought Sanctuary and it was wonderful to see her again.  They have taken great care of our first love and truly enjoy sailing her so we're all happy!  From there it was back to the Fort Walton Yacht Club and our familiar slip.  We had so many people to meet and greet and it seemed like we had only been gone a few weeks.  Chores are screaming for attention but ,for now, they can wait.

Once we passed into the ditch, we saw the usual small bits of spoil islands.

The cypress trees are so beautiful along this stretch of the waterway.

A swollen cypress knee stump.

Almost into home waters.

Out into Choctawhatchee Bay after 4 months.

The 331 bridge behind us, Hogtown ahead.

Our two loves.

Blue Moon and Sanctuary.

On to St. Andrew's Bay

While I was still coughing and generally feeling rotten, we didn't rush the trip.  From Apalachicola, we only went a short distance up to where Saul Creek joins the river.  It was so peaceful and quiet.  When David blew the conch it echoed for several seconds off the surrounding shoreline.  It was such a neat effect he did is several times.  When it set all the local dogs to howling, he stopped.  From Saul Creek we made it to the East Bay section of the larger St. Andrew's Bay and anchored off Tyndall A.F.B.  Again it was quiet and peaceful and the conch echoed but didn't set off any howling.  We went  for a short dinghy ride the next morning just to get off the boat.  The shore was shallow a long way out so not much exploring.  From there it was a short trip back to the yacht club.  A great stop as always.

Headed up the river we passed by this decrepit old bridge.  When we
first started cruising in 05, this was a working railroad bridge.

Our view at Saul Creek.

This stretch of the ICW is so lovely.  The river meanders along for several miles.
Lake Wimico and Wettapo Creeks are all worth seeing.  Sadly, I wasn't really
feeling up to taking pictures this trip.

When the Corp Of Engineers dredges the channel the spoil has to go
somewhere.  Along this stretch of the river it was dumped on the bank
making a popular place for boats to pull up and chill.

There are a lot of boaters out enjoying the calm, flat waters of the river.

The heat and humidity created a very hazy atmosphere.  This is looking
down the Government Cut that would lead to Port St. Joe.

These spools were stacked along the waterfront in Panama City.

The working waterfront of Panama City.

A different view as we go under the bridge leading to west bay.

Back To Clearwater YC

After a wonderful visit with my niece and her family, it was time to move on towards home.  David was slowly but progressively getting better.  We had planned to cross on Monday from Tarpon Springs but the forecast called for 7 foot seas on the panhandle side of the trip and we thought that would be a bad risk all things considered.  We left the marina late due to waiting for slack tide so only made it back to our anchor spot off Dunedin.  With the moon phase the tides were more pronounced so we had very little water under the keel.  All we need it enough to float and we had that!  We pulled anchor and headed down to Clearwater YC.  It felt strange to be going technically backward but it was the right call.  We had so many generous offers to help us bring the boat back across but the stars lined up for our friends Paula and Bill to be our angels.  Paula brought Bill to the club and we left the next  day.  The trip was uneventful but a motorboat trip.  We had hoped for another magnificent sail but we did have a magnificent sky.  The Milky Way was in full glory and Bill and I each saw a shooting star.  David had no issues with the crossing but I came down with a full blown nasty cold.  Turns out Bill wasn't helping me handle the boat, he was helping David!  We made good time in the crossing and continued on the Apalachicola where Paula picked him up on Sunday morning.  We are truly blessed with so many good friends.

This creatively decorated boat was coming in the Clearwater Pass as we headed out.

A glorious sunset on the gulf.  There was a green glow but no flash.

This poor flying fish came aboard in the night.  We weren't starving so
he went back overboard.

An ingenious innovation to bring air in while sleeping in the v-berth.

This mahi was just big enough to be legal and made a great meal.

Entering Dog Island Cut.  On the Panhandle side of the gulf at last.

Waterfront of Apalachicola.

Apalachicola River

Tarpon Springs Yacht Club

It was a nice day for a walk so we took Sophie for a walk and ended up at the local Yacht Club.  We had stayed there on Sanctuary but Blue Moon's keel is almost a feet deeper so we couldn't get there even on high tide.  Still a nice place to visit and cool off with a soda.  If you have seen the movie "A Dolphin's Tail"  the bridge next to the club is in several scenes.  When we watched the movie it was fun to see places we knew from our cruising.

The front of the building.

The marina and movie famous bridge.

Nice courtyard area off the docks leading up to the club.

This was a cool spot to hang out with our drinks.

This outdoor bar is new since our last visit.  An inviting place to watch the river.

The club life saver.

On to Tarpon

From Venice we had a great sail up to Gulfport.  The anchorage was no where near as crowded as on our trip down in January.  The snowbirds were headed north.  From there we motored up the ICW to a spot just off of Dunedin then went on up to Tarpon Springs.  Again it was all timed to come in on high tide.  My niece Jacque and her family live nearby so we were fortunate enough to spend time with them. Since we have been to Tarpon several times we could be tour guides for the waterfront and all it's attractions.  We  kept Sophie overnight and had a great time showing her around town even more on Sunday.

The Anclote River leading to Tarpon Springs

Blowing the conch.

Aunt Pat and Ginny

The motley crew 

Nate's favorite picture

Sophie at the Tarpon Springs YC

Ginny at the wheel

Welcome aboard Blue Moon

One of the old sponge boats now on display.

Three pretty ladies.

Mom and kids

Happy, happy

Matt came home from a business trip and was able to join us!!

It's so hard to wait on girls!!

Nate and the turtle

Hambone if there ever was one!

This guy was amazing.

This former sponge boat now runs tourists down the river and across
to Anclote Key and the lighthouse there.

Sophie in the dingy.

Nate kept asking to get in the "tiny boat" so we indulged.

A shrine to St. Michael the Archangel by a family grateful for a miracle.