Last Tuesday we made the big jump! We woke up to heavy fog, which was not ideal, but made our way out from behind Dog Island and met up with the other boats doing the crossing, there were at least 20.

We fell in line behind Sojourn like a train of ducks. It was so thick at times you couldn’t see the boat in front of you. We needed to use radar to see where everyone was and we all set the same speed and compass heading. It was certainly not the perfect day to cross but 80+ miles later we made it to Steinhatchee Florida along the West coast.

We got a slip at the Sea Hag Marina. It was a big spot for sport fishing and tournaments. They had live bait in tubs along the docks and several resident cats that hung around waiting for scraps. A large group of us met for dinner at one of the Restaurant’s along the water to celebrate making the crossing.

The food was good, but the blueberry creme brulee cheesecake was amazeballs! Don got a chocolate cake with chocolate chip cookie dough filling that was pretty good too!

Wednesday we woke up early to more fog. We wanted to make it down to Crystal River where the Manatee spend the winter. Sojourn led the way again. The fog finally cleared up a few miles from shore, which was good because that is when the crab pots (traps) started appearing. They are cages that sit on the sea floor and have a rope going to the surface held up by a buoy. Some are easier to see than others, and if you were to run one over, the line could get wrapped around your propeller and that’s a bad day.

We went through a whole mine field of them at one point. We went all the way up Crystal River into Kings Bay to anchor, where Three Sisters Spring keeps the water warm. There is also a dinghy only dock which makes it easier to get to shore.

Thursday I could hear the sound of something coming up to breath right outside our boat. When we got in the dinghy to go grocery shopping a Manatee was right in front of us. We watched him swim a bit and then went to shore.

There were also several restaurants along the water that had their own docks. That evening we went with Jack and Vickie to Cracker’s for dinner, which had excellent crab cakes!

Friday was super windy. We hung out most of the day on the boat and saw a momma manatee and baby swim right under the boat! We took Skia to shore for a walk mid day to get a break and stretch all our legs.

Saturday Don dropped me off on shore so I could do laundry. There were some shops in the same plaza so I walked around a bit while I waited. Don picked me back up and we took Skia to the park before going to Kane’s Steakhouse for dinner.

Us and Sojourn anchored in the Bay

Sunday I had booked us a tour to go snorkeling with the manatee! They take you to the spring where the manatees like to hang out in the warm water. You are not allowed to initiate contact with them or touch them with your hands if they get close, but that does not stop them from making contact with you. The first one we encountered was a very curious juvenile who nuzzled my face and hair. Many of the others liked rubbing against you as they swam by, kind of using you as a scratching post. It was amazing!

When we got back we pulled up anchor and went over to the marina to get fuel. We planned on leave the next day and the channel in and out of the Bay is about 10 miles long, mostly no wake the whole way to protect the manatee. So we decided to head back out the river and anchor behind this island right at the end so we could get out quicker in the morning.

Monday we made our way back into the channel and out into the Gulf. Sojourn is an outboard boat and in open water they can go faster. So it wasn’t long until they caught up with us. It was a beautiful sunny day, we made our way south to Caladesi State Park. The entrance is super shallow so we made sure to time our arrival for high tide. The whole park is an island with no roads but a nice large marina. The only access is by boat. We took a walk down to the beach and I of course picked up more shells. That evening we gathered for docktails and met a boater who did the Loop in 2010. It was interesting to compare what things have stayed the same and what has changed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON!!! 🥳

It was so calm and quiet, this morning we were able sleep in. I made a birthday breakfast and we plan on a hiking around the island trails today. Tomorrow we aim to make the short journey to Clearwater.