Apalachicola.

Today is Thursday June 9, 2011 and we are in Apalachicola, FL.  We had left Sanibel Tuesday and anchored at the Sarasota City Anchorage.  It was strange to be so close to Marina Jack, and not go to the piano bar!  Our plan was to go to Clearwater and anchor in a protected cove Steve Willet had told us about, and cross the Gulf Thursday.  We left Sarasota Wednesday and went into the Gulf via Longboat Pass, and it was so calm we kept on going and crossed the Gulf last night.  It was a calm crossing.  The weather forecast was uncertain for today because of a low moving north into the Gulf.  It was a good call.  The ICW ends in Clearwater, and does not start again to Apalachicola, which means about 150 miles in open water.  Last time we did the crossing it was in 5’ seas, so this was quite pleasant.  We rotated shifts every two hours at night.  Watching the moon set around midnight was nice.  We traveled 192 nautical miles from Sarasota to Apalachicola.  On the positive side we went about 7-8 knots and our fuel burn was 1.09 NMPG.  Much better than the .63 NMPG at 10 knots!  Our plan is to rest here and dine out tonight at one of the several nice restaurants in town.  Apalachicola is a small town about one half fishing village and one half art community.  A cross between Dulac and Fairhope!  We plan to be at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, AL. this weekend and rent a car and return home via land yacht.  Back to reality…….

Sunset in the Gulf.

Apalachicola waterfront.