On April 20 Denise I left Madeira Beach again to start the trip north. I guess it isn't really considered our second loop because our plan is to get to Kenosha and winter Tranquility up north next year and then have her for the whole summer of 2013 in Kenosha or nearby. I have a few ideas for what may happen after that, but nothing is for sure just yet. So maybe we'll call this a half loop.
It was a little like deja vu, because we anchored the first night in Englewood, FL, basically the same spot as last year. The trip to Englewood was different though as we took a direct route in the Gulf from John's Pass to the Venice inlet, where we picked up the ICW again for the final 15 miles down to Englewood. We were watching the weather closely as the forecast was for scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, but we were able to get anchored, grill steaks and button up for the night before the rains came. The Gulf started out fairly comfortable, but winds from the southwest had the seas to a consistent 3 feet for a few hours before we tucked back into the ICW.
I won't have any pictures to post for awhile, because I dropped and broke my camera while at home the last two weeks. It is in for repair and again I'm happy to have bought the 2 year protection plan. Hopefully, I'll have it back soon. I had promised Nanc to take a picture of an Osprey atop a channel marker so that she can paint it. Unfortunately, I passed a perfect one yesterday, with a mother and two offspring in their nest on a marker that also had a light on it.
We got underway this morning with heavy clouds and a forecast for rain starting this afternoon and the possibility of severe storms. It was forecasted to start by 2 PM. We went just 7 miles and stopped for fuel at Cape Haze Marina in Cape Haze, FL. I had done some internet price shopping and this was the cheapest around. Following taking on fuel we headed back onto the ICW and after just a few minutes started questioning the wisdom of continuing on as the winds had picked up and the skies ahead looked ominus. We called back to the marina and made the decision to head back and sit this one out. At 1:55, it started raining. The storms our supposed to be waning as the day goes on and by mid morning tomorrow the sun could be out again, although its supposed to continue to be windy for the next couple of days. We'll need moderate to light winds to have a good crossing of Lake Okeechobee, which could happen as early as Monday.
I'll be blogging again on this trip, although maybe not quite as often. I have found and added a new feature, which should send you an email when a new blog has been published. If you know of anyone who is interested, send me their email address and I'll add it.
