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Robert & Kay...

"Hello to all; It is really great to be back on C-Life again, after a wonderful December back in North Carolina. Kay and I had a great time over the holidays visiting family and friends. We, or course, got to see all of the grandchildren! We decorated "C Breeze III" and participated in the Southport Christmas Flotilla, decorated our home and yard appropriate for the holiday season, visited with all our children and their families, as well as family and friends in Southport and back home close to Raleigh. After Christmas we quickly put away all of the decorations and headed back to Panama City, Florida, on December 28 to continue our adventure. We spent a couple of days getting C-Life restocked, cleaned and ready to travel again. Ed McKinnon, a friend from Southport and a retired high school teacher and coach, came back with us to experience part of the adventure for himself. We left Panama City and traveled to Apalachicola, the Gulf Coast king of the oyster. Reportedly 10% of the U.S. supply of oysters come from Apalachicola. We had another Bald Eagle sighting on New Year's eave. We stayed in Apalachicola two nights before moving on over to Carrabelle to make preparations for crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Happy New Year to all, as I am sure that we made a toast that evening ringing in the New Year. "

"On New Year's day we had our traditional meal of pork, black eyed peas, and greens, with our friends Louis and Dianne of Bella Luna and of course our guest Ed. The crossing that we chose amounted to three 70 to 80 mile legs around what is referred to as the Big Bend. Weather becomes a significant factor in making the crossing, and there is an individual at Carrabelle named Buddy that lots of others have relied on to make recommendations on when to cross. Buddy was tying our lines for us at the marina in Carrabelle and telling us that the next day should be our departure for stating our crossing. Buddy said that we would have at least one good day and maybe a second. As it worked out we had three good days in a row, the first being just ok, and the next two being great days for the crossing. The first day we left Carrabelle in the fog headed for Steinhatchee, about 72 miles away, with three to four foot seas, the fog did not lift until about 3 in the afternoon, and there were crab pot floats everywhere! Kay spent most of the day down below reading. "

"The second day was a 82 mile leg in perfectly flat sea conditions, but again the fog sat in for part of the trip, but we arrived in Crystal River just before dark as scheduled. "

"The third and final leg of the "crossing" was another 70 or so mile run, to Tarpon Springs where we are now, and again in flat sea conditions. There have been more dolphin during this part of our trip than any other part. Kay took some great photos of the dolphin swimming along under the bow of our boat. We had another Bald Eagle sighting, and did I mention that crab pot floats were everywhere! We have now been in Tarpon Springs for three days, a wonderful Greek Community established in 1905 by the Greek sponge fishermen who harvested the sponges of the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon Springs is mostly a Greek Orthodox community, and we just happened to arrive on their largest holiday of the year, January 6. This is the Greek Orthodox holiday of Epiphany which is the celebration of the baptismal of Christ in the Jordan River. On this day the young men also dive for the cross that their priest tosses into the water, and the young man who comes up with the cross is granted a year of good luck."

"What a celebration. We have also sampled some of the Greek food at the local restaurants, but as for me, I will stick with Kay's cooking. We are having temperatures mostly in the 70's with crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. Next is on down to Tampa Bay and beyond. "

Robert & Kay

C-Life