January 9-10 Cape Haze to Pelican Bay – Cayo Costa State Park

 

With the sun shining brightly, we pulled up anchor and started south.  50 feet of the anchor was covered with heavy, thick white sand from being anchored and drug thru the bottom in the wind.  It took Colletta some time to bring in the anchor and rinse it off.  She also made a mess but nothing that could not be rinsed off.  In heading south we encountered more bridges and more fishermen, both fishing close and in the channel and driving fast in the channel to catch their next big fish. As we got close to the state park, watching the charts and water depth was mandatory!! “Turn straight west at the red marker, drive parallel to the sandbar, stay in at least 5 feet of water.”  While piloting very slowly, we noticed sailboats anchored and power boats tucked in behind on island, so we joined them.  Tom moored us in 8 feet of water. Once we were settled, Tom lowered the dinghy and we were off to the Park.  We walked the paths, walked the gulf beach and sat and enjoyed the birds.  It was good to be on land and get some exercise and some sun.   The wind continued to blow and even increased into the night.  Tom was up and down all night to check the dinghy, adjust its lines, and check the anchor.

Exploring Cayo Costo state Park

 

The next day was cool, overcast and still windy.  We decided to remain at this anchorage again for another day and hope for calmer seas tomorrow.  Tom studied the charts and caught up on his reading.  Colletta again worked on her cleaning list.  In the afternoon we went for a ride in the dinghy and explored the island area and some coves.  There are places that the water is really shallow.  We even ran aground in the dinghy.  We then joined Tom and Linda on Radiance – a couple we met at Turtle Cove in Tarpon Springs.  We enjoyed cocktails and sharing boating experiences.  They are gold Loopers which means they have done the Loop more than once; so once again we asked them questions and got some traveling hints from them.  After a delicious dinner of a new chicken recipe prepared by Capt. Tom on Greeks Folly, we relaxed and enjoyed some football on TV. 

Our anchorage in Pelican Bay