Saturday January 16, 2010

Anna Maria Island to Venice Florida

In the eastern time zone which we were now in the sun rises at 7:45AM. Dave and I were on the water at sunrise. I had decided that the weather was deteriorating and that we should take the inside route today. Winds were increasing and it was overcast with a 60% chance of rain.

Water Mark motored up to the Anna Maria Sound Bascule Bridge. This is a bascule bridge that opens on the hour and on the half hour. We had arrived early and had to wait 20 minutes for the bridge to open. There are several types of bridges that boaters must contend with on the Intracoastal. The bascule bridge is the type of bridge that splits in the middle and lifts up from each side of the land so that sail boats and fishing boats with tall fly bridges can pass through. The distance from the bottom of the bridge to the top of the water was 24 feet. I need at least 35 feet of clearance to get Water Mark under a bridge.

The Cortez bridge was timed perfectly. We called on the radio and they opened on demand. We lost no time passing through this bascule bridge into Sarasota Bay. The winds had piped up. They were now 15 to 20 knots right in our face. Salt water was now flying over the bow of the boat and spraying us in the face as we motored south toward Venice. It rained just a little. Not enough to wash off the salt water.

As we passed through the Blackburn Point Swing bridge, a small fishing boat had to lift anchor and move out of our way. This did not cause much of a delay as the fisherman was ready and knew he had to move is a boat came through the cannel.

We arrived at the Crow’s Nest Marina at 3:15 PM. Tied up the boat. I washed the salt water off her hull as Dave called his friend and arranged a pick up later that evening. This was Dave’s last day aboard Water Mark. He was being picked up that evening and then flying back to Michigan on Sunday.

Once the boat was cleaned and Dave was packed we sat in the cockpit and with guitar in hand we had a sing along and a few sips of rum. Actually Dave finished his bottle of Mount Gay and I finished my bottle of Sailor Jerry. We had sailed across the Gulf of Mexico together. That was Dave’s stated mission. To get me across the Gulf. He had accomplished that task and was not heading home and back into the winter.

We met his friend Kirk in the bar area. Dave left with Kirk. I was again left to single hand Water Mark.

There is always a let down when one of the crew members leaves the boat. Dave heading home was a let down.