10/24/17: Apalachicola, Fl.  – Clearwater, Fl. ---Gulf of Mexico Crossing = 180 NM / 207 SM

We left Apalachicola around 9:45 am with favorable weather conditions. This would be the first time we crossed without a buddy boat. Our route took us east across the Apalachicola Bay to Dog Island and then into the Gulf of Mexico. The conditions were vey good and we thought this would be our best crossing yet….

Okay you know whats coming next…

s our good friend Hoppy says, “Its all good till it isn’t”.

Yes you guessed it.

About 1 hour before dark (7:30 pm) the waves started coming from the east and from the west! During the night we tossed and turned with beam waves of 4’ and sometimes higher coming from both directions made for an uncomfortable crossing.  At some point we heard 3 other boats that were behind us talking on the radio about the wave conditions.

We thank God that He was with us and got us to Clearwater safe and sound. We are also very thankful for our boat Twelve Stones a GH37. She is a tank in the waves and we never feared for our safety. 

And believe it our not we passed a tug in the middle of the night. He was coming from Clearwater with his final destination Memphis, TN. 

Plan on spending a few days in Clearwater while the latest Tropical Storm comes through the Keys and Miami. Hope to get moving on Tuesday and headed to Ft. Myers.

10/20/17 – 10/22/17:  The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, Al – Apalachicola, Fl.

We stayed at the Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Al for a week waiting on a good weather window. Between Orange Beach and Apalachicola there are 3 large bodies of water that we have to cross and parts of the GICW (Gulf Intercostal Waterway) that is exposed to Gulf winds.

When we crossed the Choctawhatchee Bay (30 miles east to west) the waves were 4’ and on several occasions the spray from the waves were hitting Twelves Stones front windows. We were glad the waves & east wind both were right on our nose.

We will stage up at Apalachicola for our Gulf of Mexico crossing to Clearwater, Fl. 

The weather was threatening but we didn’t have any rain.

We arrived at Apalachicola with a strong tide and a strong wind. Prior to arriving we ask God to help us dock in the not so favorable conditions. I had called the marina and the dockmaster said he would be waiting on us. When we arrived there was no one on the dock to help us and we went docked perfectly. Afterwards we said you know God probably said you asked for my help so I figured you didn’t need anyone on the dock. Just another reminder that when we ask God for something we need to believe He will deliver.

Apalachicola is home to some cool shrimp boats.

10/20/17: Orange Beach, Al – Brooks Bridge Marina, Ft. Walton Beach, Fl = 56.01 NM

10/21/17: Brooks Bridge Marina, Ft. Walton Beach, Fl – Smack Bayou Anchorage, Panama City, Fl. = 58.04 NM

10/22/17: Smack Bayou Anchorage, Panama City, Fl. – Apalachicola Marina, Apalachicola, Fl. = 52.35 NM

10/10/17 – 10/13/17: Demopolis Yacht Basin (MM 216) – Orange Beach, Al

We finally got a good weather window and left Demopolis Yacht Basin. Our next big body of water we have to cross is Mobile Bay and we certainly want good winds. Forecast called for 1.5 ft waves on Friday and 4.3 ft waves on Saturday so we put in some long days to make the Friday crossing.

Prior to getting to Mobile Bay you go through the Mobile Port. Large ocean freighters come in to this area. 

Boat Traffic at Mobile Port

We crossed and the water on Mobile Bay was smooth. As predicted some major winds are rolling in for the next few days that will impact the ICW so we are holding up at The Wharf Marina while the winds blow by.

10/10/17: Demopolis Yacht Basin (MM 216) – Bashi Creek Anchorage (MM 145) = 62 NM & 1 Lock

10/11/17: Bashi Creek Anchorage (MM 145) –  Mile Marker 78.9 anchorage alongside river = 57.4 NM & 1 Lock

10/12/17: Mile Marker 78.9 anchorage - Tensaw River anchorage (MM 12.1) =  58 NM

10/13/17: Tensaw River anchorage (MM 12.1) – Orange Beach, Al = 49 NM

The river offered up a photo opportunity of a big gator, a large snake, and lots of birds. Not to mention the amazing sunsets and sunrises.

MM 157. 5 on the Tenn-Tom

After being on the rivers for months we had somewhat forgotten about the traffic on the GICW.