Successful Crossing Ended with a Glitch!

We left our Dog Island anchorage for our 142 mile crossing...but not as early as planned. Some of the forecasts had changed...the wind was blowing fairly strong at our anchorage...and it looked really dark outside at 4 am. But I must say, the stars were spectacular! There wasn't any light around to diminish their shine! We procrastinated...and finally hauled anchor at 8 am...should have left at 6! Should-a, would-a, could-a... Hindsight is marvellous!

The first three hours were relatively calm.

The next three hours had two foot plus waves with white-caps hitting on our beam. The boat handled it well, but we were not always comfortable. I never went out on deck to take a picture!

The last three and a half hours were calm again, with waves on our stern quarter. Nice...except for the glitch. I was driving when all of a sudden the starboard engine started slowing down and losing rpms. Then the port engine slowed just a little. Our 15-16 knot speed dropped to 9-10 knots, and the clock was ticking....sunset was at 5:41. That time is permanently etched in my brain! We still had over 20 miles to go.

The fuel, sloshing around in the tank, must have stirred up residue that clogged our fuel filters. It's a common occurrence and just a part of boating. The only thing is...it has never happened to us in 7 years of cruising. Just another part of  "the adventure."

We changed course to Anclote Key, off of Tarpon Springs, since it was closer than Clearwater. We were out of sight of land all day....and it seemed to take forever to see Anclote Key since it is so flat. But about 10 miles out, we spotted the huge power plant on the mainland.

I know this is pretty bad...but if you use your imagination you will see a dolphin...actually mother and baby. As we were heading towards Anclote Key, we were surrounded by dolphins who must have been feeding. They really amused us and helped the time go quickly!

Dodging crab traps, we watched the sun sinking in the west. We made it to the channel in the dim light at dusk, and then got to our anchorage when the curtain came down!!! We made it! And didn't bring any crab traps along with us!

 Going.....

Going....

Gone!

How do you spell relief???? Successful Gulf Crossing! We made it!

Saturday morning, we slowly went on to the Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina where we will stay until Monday morning. We have boated in the area for years, but never came here before. We always went a few miles north to Caladesi State Park...so "natural" compared to Clearwater Beach. But they both have their merits and meet our different needs!

The sand here is like powdered sugar, and it is wonderful to see such public access to the beaches, even in front of the huge hotels. People were playing volleyball...sunbathing...and a few brave souls were swimming, but they were mostly the athletes registered in the Trirock Triathlon that will be held here tomorrow. 
I love sandy beaches!!!

 Turtles were atop the various rinsing-off stations off the beach.

Tomorrow we will go to the Clearwater Aquarium to see Winter, the dolphin who wears a prothesis for its tail and starred in the movie, Dolphin Tale.