Heading North - Little Shark River to Marco Island

I was up before the sun this morning; getting Distant Horizon ready to depart. I noticed that after I went to sleep last night, three sailboats had arrived and were anchored in the cove. They were also preparing their boats to depart.

I was farther up river. When I had reached the entrance to the cove, the wind was light, but in a perfect direction for raising the mainsail. So, I actually departed with the mainsail up; making it much easier once I was out in the gulf.

It is was near low tide. I had to go a couple miles out before I was comfortable with the depth.When I was finally able to relax, I took one last look back at Little Shark River; knowing I would probably see this area again in June on my return trip.

Departing Little Shark River

The morning was mostly cloudy with threatening skies. I didn't worry too much. The weather report had a slight chance of rain in the keys, but no where else.

I finally set the jib, and we were off! ... and so was the engine. Distant Horizon was doing a nice 6.8 knots and the only sound was the water gurgling against the hull. "Otto" my nickname for the autopilot was steering. Even though it was a grey day, I went below to get my logbook. When I returned to the cockpit, it was time to do my hourly log.

While writing in the log, I was startled by a pelican that was landing to my right just a few feet from the boat. If I reached out I would not be able to touch it, but I certainly could with the boat hook! ... not that I would, remember I like pelicans.

I reached for the camera, but the boat was moving too fast and the bird was too far behind for a good shot. When I finished logging, I looked back, and here come two pelicans gliding just above the water behind Distant Horizon.

For almost an hour these birds would land next to Distant Horizon, and then wait until I had moved well ahead them before taking flight and gliding in once again.

Each time, this one would land to the right.

This one would land to the left.

They would never trade sides. It was very entertaining to watch them go through this process. I imagine it was very efficient for them because 90% of the time they were either sitting in the water or gliding.

That was the excitement for the day. The wind continued to decrease until 1pm. I was just motoring now. this was a completely uneventful day. It started out with great sailing and ended up motoring.

Approaching Marco Island

It was sunny and hot all day. I was tired when I reached Marco Island. I went in the entrance channel, but the water was getting shallow fast where I wanted to go. I didn't feel up to a challenge. So, I turned around and left Marco for another day.

I didn't go far. I anchored off the beach in the Gulf of Mexico. The weather report made it seem perfectly fine to do this. If the weather did change, I was in deep enough water to just weigh anchor, turn and go. I felt this was the safest decision. I add a margin of safety, I let out 150' of chain, which was almost twice required for the conditions and depth of the water.