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Day 189-190 2nd year. November 28-29. On to Alligator Reef and then to Steinhatchee. Mile 15. Total miles 5798

 Got up late and lazed the morning away with a long hot shower and preparing for the crossing. Looks like we will have other Loopers join us for the crossing on Wednesday.  We like company!!



Left about 11:00 to leave Carrabelle River and go east toward Alligator Reef where we will stage to cross to Steinhatchee.  We traveled with MVLive de Life, Canadians Sasha and Graham behind the barrier island, Dog Island,  on this 60 degree bright sunny day.

Once past Dog Island the last barrier island and the end of the Gulf Intracoastal, we are technically in the Gulf of Mexico and heading almost due east.  The coast is now called James Island, although it is not an island, and there are a scattering of homes and low rise condos on the beach.

On our way to shore to find an anchorage, We had four dolphin escort us by surfacing in our bow showing us the way in.  What a nice escort!

We anchored just off the beach which is forested and lined with homes.  Nice to stop early as tomorrow will be a long day as we cross the Gulf to Steinhatchee.




This last picture is of Alligator Point which we will have to go around tomorrow on our way to Steinhatchee.

I apologize in advance as we will not have many photos as we will be off shore most of the time for the next few days.  

Had a beautiful sunset to end our day.




Day 190   2nd year.    November 29.  On to Steinhatchee, FL.      Miles 61    Total Miles  5859


Here is a shot of Crustacean underway taken by a fellow boater.
                                                   

We left at first light with MV Live de Life and MV Detour and headed out past Alligator Point and Reef.  We headed south around the reef for about an hour and then turned more east, traveling with three other boats MV Detour, MV Live de Life and MV Southern Tides. 

As we made the turn, we encountered forward quarter seas which caused us to splash into the waves a bit more than we would like. Needless to say the boat had a salty water wash down, from water over the bow.

We had those conditions for about two and a half hours before the wind and seas died down and then even better conditions as we got close to the west coast of Florida. 

Spent the rocky period standing and singing and dancing to music to pass the time.  After awhile the Gulf is not that interesting when there is no shoreline and only water to the horizon.




About 5 hours into the trip, we could start to see the coast and and hour later dodging a few crab traps, we turned into Steinhatchee marina and tied up to a slip for the night.  On our way to the marina we were again greeted by lots of dolphin.  We had as many as 50 visit us off and on, one group was 15 strong.  They were a joy to watch.  Also we saw a flock of white pelicans on a sand bar as we turned into the marina area.  they are moving south for the winter just like us!!






Was good to be back on dry land.  We were joined at this dock by 10 other Loopers.  All braved the crossing a bit behind us.

We met up with Jim and Pam from MV Acadia.  They had a loaner car and invited us to join them for dinner.  After dinner we shared our favorite anchorages in the Clearwater to St Petersburg area and plotted our course for tomorrow to Crystal River.  Will be another long day so need to get to bed early.




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