Mar-a-Lago?

No, it’s not what you’re thinking. 

However we have been warned not to get close to the dyslexic version of this sign as there is an $8000 fine for a selfie and possible jail time. The Secret Service frowns upon any boats getting near. With our Washington State
flag flying and our past support for Governor Jay Inslee,
the fines and jail time might be doubled.

DANGER!

WOW.  

We are off the boat on a trip to research possible stops in Marinas on our way south. We know we are in the Everglades -- being surrounded by alligators.
They appear to be well fed. 

And, not only do we have to worry about the Gators,
but we also have to worry about the Florida panthers.

Gators in Action

This gator is undisturbed by the highway traffic just above him.

Here you can see his friend hanging out in the grass
between him and the highway.

Gulf Crossing with Still Waters II

Our boat buddies Dave and Claudia Fuller have been looping for
almost four years in their Still Waters II.

They have a website and blog, and posted about our flotilla's crossing
of the Gulf in December.  Check out that post here.

Art Follows Life, but...

In this case, life follows art.

On our walk in a residential neighborhood near our Anna MARIA Island Bradenton Beach Marina, we came upon this Egret checking out
an Egret lawn ornament.

Boats, Motors and More

The Still Waters II, a 43 ft. Viking.  

This boat was our buddy boat and the crew David and Claudia Fuller helped guide us on everything -- from anchoring to staying in between the Channel Markers. Being a Blind Helmsman is no excuse for being outside the channel. For those of you that did not know or were afraid to ask,
Mary is the Captain. Dan is the titular Captain. 

And some motors...

3x300HP motors -- a total of 900 horses!
This is how you evade and outrun the police the Coast Guard or Navy.
Those agencies do not have this kind of equipment. 

And a boat, the name of which needs no explanation...

Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree

Climbing the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree
at Ringling Circus Museum grounds in Sarasota, FL.

Ringling Circus Museums

While we're here in Sarasota, Florida, we visited the
Ringling Circus Museums.

A film called "The Greatest Show on Earth," starring Charlton Heston,
was filmed at the Ringling Circus in Sarasota.

Dan is too fat to fit into the barrel of the human canon.

Boat on Rocks as We Exit Tarpon Springs

Wrecked sailboat at Gulf Port.

We are on the opposite side of the Gulf where Hurricane Michael hit. However, we have come upon destroyed houses and boats on the opposite side of the Gulf of Mexico, showing the power of the hurricane and the storm surge. It’s water, water and nowhere to go outside the channel maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers -- as we traveled across some areas where it was a maximum of 4 feet deep. Our boat draft is 3.5 feet, so we would have 6 inches to spare.  That’s too close for us.  

Moon Rising: Gulf Port, FL

December 23rd moon rising out our port door.

The Last Supper

Before crossing the Gulf, the crew of the boats Still Waters 2, Aurora,
Chip Ahoy, Compass Rose and Michigan Girl met for a "Last Supper."

Sunspot Baby departed with other boats leaving the morning prior to our crossing departure date. We left in a group of five. Compass Rose split from the group, as they had a different destination.

Danta Claus

Danta Claus is coming to town (Carrabelle, FL).  Rudolf is leading the way.

Hurricane Michael Damage

While we're in Carrabelle, FL, waiting for a good weather window to cross the Gulf, we thought we'd share some pictures to give you a sense of what a hurricane can do (Hurricane Michael in this instance).

This was a guide and reference into the harbor. Steer to the sunken sailboat. Then steer away.

Damage in the harbor at Carrabelle, FL.

Hurricane Micheal damaged this beautiful Beneteau 60 sailboat.

The galley sink or the head's sink is hanging out of a hole in the hull. Hurricane Micheal smashed the boat into a piling and caused the hole. The boat quickly sunk. It is a total loss. It will be busted up into small pieces and thrown into a dumpster and hauled to the landfill. Here's a close-up:

Wrecked Beneteau 60.

It’s not funny but the name fits the boat now more than ever.

Where's the Gammel Dansk?

Can you find our Nordic tug Gammel Dansk, in the sea of BIG BOATS?

Barge in GICW

Passing a barge hauling gravel and rocks in this narrow passage.