It didn't take long to experience the first disaster at sea.  It was just about 10 minutes after waving goodbye, when Richard and Jeffrey hit bottom in the treacherous channel of the Withlacoochee.  For those of you that have navigated this channel you know that it's not easy on a good day.  Richard was determined to leave today, amidst the high winds and unusually low tides, and sure enough, while giving way to a little boat in the channel, they ran aground.  Amazingly, they were even inside the channel markers.  They say that even the most experienced boaters run aground in the Yankeetown area of the Gulf. 

It was the little boat that pulled them out, and again Capt. Richard was on his way.  About an hour into the journey to Clearwater, Richard alerted Jeffrey to the fact that they had no steering.  I would imagine that if he had told Jeffrey any time sooner, Jeffrey would have suggested turning back.  Once in the Gulf of Mexico, there was only one direction - South.

We all met up in Clearwater beach, at our ‘get-away-from-our-get-away’, where Richard put on his wet-suit to dive the bottom of the boat.  See photo… 

We wanted to be certain that there was no damage to the rudders or the props, (from running aground) as we’ll be leaving in the morning for the next leg of our trip.  Thanks to Krag, who takes care of our boat, we discovered that it was only low steering fluid, and we’ll be sure to check for a leak, just in case.  The fuel truck will arrive bright and early to gas up and we’ll be off. 

Jeffrey headed back to Yankeetown via car, and Richard and I enjoyed a quiet dinner at our favorite Clearwater seafood spot just a walk up the street from our slip here at the Island Yacht Club.  The walk home was cold and brisk, as the winds are still blowing off the gulf.  It seems I’ve become a true Floridian in a short time and the chill in the air made me shiver. 

As I write this, our captain is fast asleep dreaming about tomorrow’s adventures.I , too, am looking forward to tomorrow, calmer seas, conversations with Richard at the helm, navigating our next port, and enjoying this moment in life.  Until our next stop…with love, Leslie & Richard