Thursday night, my friend DJ, agreed to go sailing with me out in the Gulf. I really wanted to have the opportunity to do some sailing while having someone with experience on board. The seas were just a little bit more than when I sailed on Saturday - this time 1 to 3's with an occasional 4 footer. If I had been alone those 4 footers would have terrified me, but as it was I was only just a little scared. DJ tried to teach me how to judge the wave height by using the boat but I'm not sure I get it. I was too busy having a death grip on the steering wheel! I managed to sail for about an hour before the wind - which had been steady all day - died down to almost nothing. Still I was thankful for that one hour - as I'm trying to take baby steps increasing my comfort level one step at a time.
I had the day off yesterday - which meant I only worked for two hours :-) I decided to try my hand at fishing as fish were jumping up everywhere. They weren't very big - so I used my old rod/reel. I sat on the bow enjoying a cool seas breeze with the wind scoop providing very nice shade.
After about 5 minutes I had a bite. I was so excited until I discovered that it was a baby SHARK! The little guy was about a foot long and had managed to snag the lure on his nose - well not sure it's nose but you get the idea. I asked DJ to take a picture while I grabbed my tackle box with the fishing gloves and little thing you use to pull out the lure. Try as I might I just couldn't persuade myself to grab that little shark and take out the lure. DJ finally offered to do it for me. I fished for a few more minutes, but every time as I pulled the line near to the boat another little shark would try to grab it. One actually jumped out of the water after it. I decided that was enough - and was thankful that I didn't go swimming!
Sometime around noon I sailed away from the anchorage and out through the pass. I had nice wind - about 10 knots but it was coming on the nose through the tight little channel so I motor sailed until I got through that. Once again it was 1 to 3 foot seas with an occasional 4 footer - but since I'd had my sailing lesson the night before I did ok. Once I decided I probably wasn't going to die I had a wonderful time. I hand steered most of the time as I wanted to get a feel for how to steer through the waves.
Another thing I learned is that since you have to keep the hatches closed while sailing - and since it's rolling around a bunch - that cabin is a pretty miserable place to hang out while underway. I'm not sure what Coleen will think about that - as she generally hangs out in the cabin while underway.
It was only a little 12 mile trip. and I was only a couple of miles offshore mostly in 21 feet of water. DJ was about a mile or so ahead most of the way - but I could reach him on the radio if needed - which was comforting. Mostly I listened to music and just enjoyed the beautiful day. All too soon it was time to head downwind into the Port St. Joe entrance. After so many days in seclusion I was a little disappointed to see condos on the beach and the makings of a city. Thankfully we found an incredible anchorage just around the point. There is a beautiful bay side beach and by walking about a mile around I'll be on the Gulf side.
I was so incredibly tired by time I arrived all I wanted was an ice cold beer and a nap. Unfortunately I haven't had ice for a few days - so it was lukewarm water instead - but I did manage a little nap. I had a lovely evening watching a comedy DVD on the computer - set up on the companion way hatch. It was like my own little drive in movie.
My friend Rick showed up sometime around 11 p.m. after sailing from Panama City. So it should be another fun day.
This picture is the sunset at Crooked Island.
The sunset at the Port St. Joe anchorage
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