Journey Back from Cuba - Part 3, Tarpon Springs

Leaving Marco Island, the wind was directly on our nose blowing from the north.  We discussed striking out for Pensacola directly, or continuing north.  Looking at the weather and wind forecasts, we elected coastal cruising north.  In a day or so, the wind direction was forecast to be more favorable for a gulf crossing to Pensacola.

Realizing we were dangerously low on beer - oh no!, we made a quick trip in to Naples to re-stock

We found a nearby 7-11, and had a quick lunch before getting back underway.  Back on the outside, the wind was building and we were motoring not too comfortably.  We elected to take the ICW from Pass-A-Grille north.  We went via ICW making good time until we abruptly ran aground just north of Dunedin -  again on the ICW....or actually, slightly off the ICW. We tried to maneuver off, but were unsuccessful and the tide was falling.  We called Boat US and they were quickly on the scene.  After a good half hour of tugging, pulling motor running, sail up etc., we eventually got off and back underway.  We discovered just how shallow the ICW is in this area just north of Tampa, and also how narrow it is in places!

Our delay had us entering the Anclote  River at dark.  Again, fortunately, I had done this before in daylight.  While the river itself is deep, everything off the river isn't.  We had reserved a slip at Turtle Cove Marina, but after again running aground (again), we decided not to risk it.  we backed off successfully and turned around making for the City dock.  Now at dark and approaching low tide (or so we thought), we found a spot on the seawall downtown - very convenient for the seafood festival that was in progress.

Tarpon Springs - by Day

The next morning, I woke up first and sensed the boat listing slightly.  From the cockpit, it looked like the tide had fallen further and a stern line was holding us tight against the sea wall.  I quickly got on the quay, and loosened the stern line - at which point the boat listed further and Larry  - well I think he fell off the pot!.  We were sitting on the bottom and I just released the line holding us up!  Quickly tying us off again, and well by now everyone was awake.

So we decided to explore the town until the tide came in - what else was there to do!

Tarpon Springs Bakery

I now realize I just don't understand the tides in the Gulf.  First off, there's only one a day (everywhere else I have lived has two per day).......it seemed about a 3 ft tide in Tarpon Springs, whereas 18 in is a large one in Pensacola.  One day, I will study up on this!  And to top that off, in Pensacola the wind has much more influence on water level than the tide itself.

Anyway, that night we decided to anchor at Anclote Key so that we could make an early start to Pensacola the next day.  We stopped for a late lunch - or was it an early dinner?  at Miss Vicki's on the River on the way out to Anclote Cay.

Miss Vicki's - Anclote River