Well, our Big Bend 170 mile Gulf crossing is behind us.   Hooray!  We left Carrabelle Beach yesterday at noon.  It was a lovely ride and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset during dinner.   Interestingly, there was a unique cloud formation that looked like angel's wings.  

Initially Ralph draws our course on the laptop, sends it to the chart plotter, then the autopilot follows the course from the chart plotter.  It's amazing to me how all these electronics work so well together.  I took the first watch 8:30 to midnight.  During your watch, you must check the engine temperature, oil pressure, boat speed, engine rpms, wind velocity, and of course, the course about every fifteen minutes.  I kept awake by proofreading a friend's book on my Kindle.  

Two sailboats were also making the crossing but had left a couple hours earlier.  We were in communication with them throughout the night.  It's reassuring to know someone is aware of your location in the dark in case of emergency.  We prepared a "ditch bag" just in case, carrying flashlights, batteries, water, cash and we had all 3 life vests close at hand.  I'm gad we didn't need it.

Last night's sky without ambient light was magnificent.  There were millions of stars that looked close enough to touch. It was just awesome.  Unfortunately, I have no photos -- to capture stars and the moon you must be perfectly still using a tripod.  And rest assured that wasn't happening last night.

Shortly before midnight the winds picked up to 24 mph and the seas were confused which made for some rocking and rolling for several hours.  Ralph took the next watch midnight to 5:00 AM while I slept.  I came up for my watch about 4:30 AM.  The crescent moon was bright and the stars were fading just at daybreak.  The seas were still bouncy and when Ralph couldn't sleep and came up at 7:30, I went back to bed.

The next thing I knew we were approaching Clearwater Beach.  There were some crab pots we had to dodge, but we got pretty good at that keeping the boat in the Chesapeake for six seasons.  Say Good-Bye got a good dousing of salt and really needed a good wash down.

On Active Captain Ralph read that Jeff and Suzanne Wright were offering a free dock, including water and electricity to any passing mariners in the Treasure Island area of Isle of Palms.  Ralph called and Jeff and Suzanne welcomed us to their lovely home and the dock is wonderful.  We've been blessed several times to have met folks along our way who have offered their docks and moorings to us free of charge, and also offered to take us shoping or anything else we need.  Thank you, Jeff and Suzanne for your gracious hospitality.

Attached are a few photos of our adventure:

Leaving Carrabelle Beach, FL

Sunset last evening

I was struck with the beauty of this cloud formation almost like angels' wings

Our first sighting of Clearwater Beach

Clearwater, FL

Clearwater, FL

Homes along the FL ICW

Clearwater, FL

Arrrrrrr!

Tied up at the Wright's home dock

Say Good-Bye got a nice bath

Tonight's back yard

Tonight's back yard