We decide to spend a little time in Clearwater before starting for Crystal River - home. Tom unloads our bikes from the port side of Catrina and leads the way north up the Island. We take back roads when possible to avoid the main drag. Many of the buildings are rentals or high rises but as we get further from the center of town, we see single homes. At the far end we find a bike rack and trail to the beach.
This beach is not groomed as in the town center area and it does not have all the amusements. It is natural and beautiful and well used by walkers.
And here is a walker you should know.
On the land side of Clearwater Island, the houses are right at the water’s edge.
Under the bridge for cars and buses from the mainland is a special bridge just for walkers and bikers.
From the mainland bridge it is easy to find Catrina if you look for our maroon sail cover
We return our bathroom keys, load bikes and start taking off all the lines. Debbie gets help from a fellow sailor to hold one end of Catrina to the upwind side of our slot as Tom backs up. The tide and wind are working against us and moving us toward the boat sharing our slot and behind the center piling.
About 11 as we motor out to the Gulf, we see a family who came prepared to stay a long time on the beach.
I think we have just sailed to Disneyland. Look at what approaches us as we sail out into the Gulf.
It is quite a vessel and moves right along without sails. We should be safe as it is not black like a pirate ship!
About noon we do it again. We hooked a crab trap on our port motor. Tom pulls the motor up and is able to cut the line. The trap and the buoy are off but he cannot unwrap some of the line. So under the boat he goes with knife. That solved, we decide to put up the spinnaker. It takes a lot of adjusting to set up correctly.
Tom works out front hooking up the spinnaker. Debbie raises the spinnaker halyard. Then Debbie runs the sheet (line) inside and Tom adjusts the leading line at the front of the boat. In the picture above you can just see the bikes along the port side.
Starting at Tarpon Springs about 15 miles above Clearwater, the Gulf is covered with crab traps. One of us must be on watch at all times even though we have the boat on autopilot. We also have to look out for the Boats like the Viking Star at Anclote Island.
We decide to run a motor to complement the main sail and spinnaker so that we can keep our speed close to 7 mph. If we hold this speed, we get home before midnight.
While we have it hooked up, we wanted to show you our life support - the Honda Generator. If we did not have it, we would not have TV, Computer, Microwave, Refrigerator (when we run out of propane) or Lights. Besides being very useful, it is very pretty! Our batteries have very little storage area so we use a generator more often than most boats. Or maybe we use our toys (TV, Computer, Microwave, Refrigerator and Lights) more often than other boats!
About 5:30 we pick up another crab trap this time on our starboard motor. Tom says the water is a lot colder! Maybe next time he will wear a bathing suit!
All afternoon the water is covered with little white spots, everywhere. Crab Trap Buoys! Debbie is so frustrated. Sometimes the white spots move and fly away. Gulls! The markers are so close together. Many times, Debbie has to take the boat off autopilot and change course. Tom has set our course far from land (over 10 miles) and at last we have water which rarely is covered with White Markers!!
For dinner we have a gourmet selection of canned food that can be cooked in the microwave. Remember the stove runs on propane. Tonight we have Chili with Beans, Asparagus and Peaches! Meat, CHO, Vegetable and Fruit - Delicious! Colorful! Tasty!
The sun sets at 7:30 and soon we are sailing in darkness.
At about 11 p.m. as Tom predicted, we sailed up the Crystal River (against a strong tide) and into our canal! We almost did not make it and had to plow through (2 feet 8 inches depth in sand) the canal entrance! What a welcome home! Home Sweet Home.
We end the Keys Trip after 40 days and about 800 miles to return home and regroup. Our mileage count is 3,200 miles. Thanks for your interested reading. We will probably return in May or after when we take off on another adventure!
