Canoeing with Sis

Another canoe story, I know... However, this is really about spending time with family. A canoe outing and my wonderful cooking (not) is what I have to offer when you visit me. Oh, and coffee in a cool French press if you are one of 2 or 3 wanting coffee. My niece (15 months old) enjoyed "Finding Nemo". She did not even flinch when the big shark ate all the little ......... Anyway, she loved watching the ending several times. My nephew took the canoe out earlier in the day with my husband and they were excited about the huge carp breaking the water with their fins and the fact that they looked as long as 3 feet. My sister and I went out an hour before dark. My sister has a disability and was apprehensive about getting in and out of the canoe, but with just a little shoulder to lean on she enjoyed the freedom of doing something out of the ordinary, the calming sparkling water, sisterly conversation, and slowly darkening sky. In fact, we were interrupted by a cell phone call coaxing us back to reality and the nearest dock. What a wonderful day!

Sunrise, Sunset

San Augustine has a beautiful sunrise over City Lake. I have also enjoyed some gorgeous sunsets. One in particular, I saw in the Fall from a picnic area just west of 96 on Hwy 21 overlooking a rolling green pasture. Watching that sunset made me feel that San Augustine was a blessed place. It was tranquil with a burning orange ball and colors from orange to pink to purple. I did not have my camera at the time, so I cannot share it with you. Besides a picture does not do a real sunset any justice. I have seen similar sunsets looking North on 87 at Six Mile Bridge and from my in-laws home on Toledo Bend Lake.

I did take a sunset picture in Key Largo and this will be the last thing I will share with you about my vacation. Now it is time to get back to real life and the everyday adventures that make us who we are and carry us through.

In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Hebrews 1:9

Homosassa Springs, Manatee, and Lou

I wanted to see a manatee while in the Keys. I was told they come up to the docks. Well, one did on a day that I was not there. So, after we left a friend told us about the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park near Clear Water Springs which is on our way home. They take in injured Manatees and had an education program you could listen to and watch. These mammals are endangered and their only natural predator is us with our boats and pollution. They are pregnant for 13 months and they cannot reproduce the first 5 to 7 years of their life. That doesn't help their numbers any. They are impressive to watch. They have lots of whiskers on the snout and eat grass from the bottom of the ocean and lakes. They also need fresh water to survive even though they swim in the ocean.

Also, the Wildlife Park promised that it would stick to animals that are native to the state. Lou is the only animal that can live here whose species is not native to Florida. Lou, a 49 year old 6,500 lb hippo, was in the park originally with lots of other exotic animals and the park was owned privately for profit. The owner gave the park to the State of Florida. The State said that all the exotic animals had to find other homes. However, Lou had a reputation of being stubborn and hard to handle. So after many requests for another home, no one else wanted him. He use to be in the movies (one with John Wayne), but as he got older he became harder to take care of. A special appeal was made to the governor to keep Lou. So the governor made Lou a citizen of Florida so he could live his life out in the Park. Lou loves cantaloupe and watermelon and does not like to share. He loves to float around his territory and open his mouth wide.

I saw many other animals native to Florida including river otters, pink flamingos, egrets, sheepshead fish, mullets, crocodiles, and alligators. However, I came to see the manatee and I am glad I did.

Florida - Mystery Solved

Remember the blue glowing lights I told you about. I figured out what it was! While shining a flashlight into the water at night near the dock, I was admiring a real live starfish. While examining the starfish, something started squiggling and glowing at the surface. It was tiny translucent fish circling around each other. It looked like they were feeding on something. I have seen these tiny fish in schools under the dock while snorkeling during the day. They are about as long as my fingernail and translucent unless the sunlight hits them, then they are blue, green, or yellow. They travel in schools of 100 or more, they are so abundant. They must have been feeding on something in the seaweed the night I first encountered them. After a little research I believe they are called "Lanternfish" and are an important part of the food chain for marine life.

Our Sail in Florida Bay

The day has arrived to put into practice our sailing skills learned over the last few days from our wonderful and patient teacher, Captain Diana. I will attempt to describe our trip in detail so that I can learn and remember these newly acquired skills and terms.

For those of you who want the shorter version:

We left, we had fun, it was beautiful, we made it back, and with no mishaps.

Now for the details:

We could not have asked for a more perfect day. We charted our course for Nest Key using our nautical chart taking care to look at water depths we would encounter. We left the dock of the Key Lime Sailing Club around 10:00 am with our supplies including life vests, drinks, lunch, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, towels, flashlight, and extra gas. In hind sight, we should have also brought a medical kit, toilet paper, and lawn chairs. The wind measured SE 5-10 mph and the day promised to be sunny, in fact there was not a cloud in the sky. We did a quick check of the boat to make sure no water was in the bilge, sheets (lines to the sails) were in good condition, we had plenty of gas, we knew the location of the anchor, and the motor and centerboard were operational. We left word with the managers of the club what our destination and planned arrival time would be.

I released the port and starboard dock lines, then Jeff idled the Cindy out of the dock and around the maze of moored boats. I used the jib halyard to raise the jib and only had a problem clipping the clew to the stay (how do you like the new terms I’ve learned). We raised the mainsail using the main halyard, careful to place the ties and cover below deck so that we could find them at the end of our journey. We decided that because the wind was coming from directly behind us, we would run wing-on-wing to power us directly toward Porjoe Key before changing our reach toward the beach of Nest Key to avoid a shallow area extending from the east side of Nest Key. To my delight, we only saw one boat that did not even come close enough to warrant a course adjustment. We both looked back toward the Key Lime Sailing Club dock on several occasions to identify landmarks to finding our way back such as a tall tower, the moored boats, and thatched cabanas.

Jeff and I found the beach area, and as we came into the shallow water, we readied the boat for dropping the anchor, just as we had previously practiced. To ready the boat, I needed to unclip and store the jib and not accidently step into the hatch or on the pointy steel anchor. I know there must have been an easier way, but we just took our time. Jeff idled the motor, and took down the mainsail. We slowly let down the anchor leaving seven times the depth in anchor line, as is the internationally understood length so that any boats navigating around our moored boat would not get caught in our anchor (which was not a real problem here because we were all by ourselves, but is a good habit to practice). After disembarking the boat, we decided instead to raise the centerboard and pull the sailboat onto the beach and tie the anchor to a tree. Jeff has a fear of anchor dragging and he didn’t want a stray boat and us stranded.

We explored the island finding hot mud beds which some people swear by the mud’s skin enhancing qualities. We decided it wasn’t for us today… the mud was burning hot and the biting flies and mosquitoes were too much. However, we enjoyed the pristine beach, turquoise water, and swimming. There was also an abundance of translucent colored ~12” needlefish along the shore. We ate cold pizza and drank our sodas before heading back.

After we got underway, we lowered the centerboard, which keeps the boat from heeling and makes the boat more responsive to the rudder. The centerboard started bumping the bottom. We raised it and thought perhaps we were going out at a different angle than we came in. However, we could not entirely lower the centerboard until we were in Buttonwood Sound (which is halfway back). The water was just too shallow. Thank goodness for an adjustable centerboard.

Another problem we encountered was the direction of the wind was now in front of us and we would be sailing upwind all the way back. We would need to tack our way back. Tacking involves heading to the right or left of your destination, then resetting the sails to the other side of the boat and heading to the left or right of your destination again, making a zig zag pattern across the water. This takes longer to get back and more muscle power. However, it was cooler and the boat was fast running in the water. I experimented with sitting in different areas of the boat enjoying the breeze and the shade from the sails. That is until Jeff needed me to help him tack. He would say “Ready about”. Then I would say “Ready!”, then he would say “Hard Alee!”. At that point I released the jib on one side and then pulled the jib to the other side with the jib sheet (or line). I had to pull the line tight wrapping it around the winch and sometimes using the winch handle to get it even tighter so we could point the boat more precisely into the wind. I think Jeff was adjusting the mainsail and rudder at that time. Anyway, after doing this several times on the trip back, my fingers were getting blistered. .. found a glove onboard later. Oh, well.

We navigated closer to the tower that was our landmark, but surprisingly still unable to immediately see the dock at Key Lime Sailing Club. Oh I see! Da! It was the dock with all the sailboats! We had to bring the Cindy in with sails down and engine on idle and do an about face to get the port side and bow pointing out. It was a piece of cake, I just lost my shoe… but it floated and was easily retrieved. We left the boat with everything we brought aboard, tied and covered the main sail, put the anchor in the bow, and generally made sure we left all in good order. Jeff realized while we were docking that the bow and stern lines, which I call mooring lines for holding the boat to the dock, were color coded red for port side, and green for starboard side.

We arrived back at approximately 5:00 pm. This sailing trip was definitely an adventure and a great learning experience. There was hardly any noise, just the two of us and the wind in our hair. I like the orderliness and consistency when dealing with the lines, using the wind for power, and keeping everyone safe. I realized that there is a time to work and a time to play and that sailing is both.

Florida - Key West Snorkeling and Iguanas

Today we experienced Key West (south about 2 hours from where we are staying in Key Largo). The atmosphere was similar to a cruise ship port with shore excursions. That is because it is a cruise ship port; we saw the Carnival’s massive ship Fascination depart the island while there. There was snorkeling, scuba diving, para-sailing, beaches, plenty of food and shopping. Employees seemed to love their job and made you feel welcome. The weather was sunny and hot, more importantly to me… the water was clear and blue-green. We decided on a snorkeling excursion on a large catamaran 45 minutes from shore. I was amazed at how many different species of fish and coral were within hands reach. However, the rules are do not touch anything, do not take anything, and do not leave anything behind. This reef is alive and they want to keep it that way. We accidently snorkeled into a bed of seaweed and it was getting tangled in my hair. I slapped it away and then lots of yellow-tailed snappers started swimming around me. They were eating something off the seaweed I had disturbed. We saw schools of purple fish, large tarpons, and barracuda. There were little canyons of coral that we followed within close proximity of the boat. There were sponges, fan coral, and other odd-shaped and colorful stuff. We followed a school of small purple fish that seemed to be oblivious to us as did all the other fish. After we were back on the catamaran, Jeff and I threw some bits of dog biscuit off the side and the yellow-tailed snappers came close to the surface of the water and ate it up. This is what I wanted to come to Florida for.

Jeff came for the sailing, which besides the lessons we have already done, we plan to take the Cindy out tomorrow weather permitting all by ourselves. I am grateful for the motor on the back. That is all I have to say about that for now.

Jeff loves that I am writing this blog and encouraged me to publish it. He also doesn’t mind me saying that because he a member of the itty bitty bladder brigade, we stopped on the south side of Niles Bridge and discovered the iguanas. I could not get any pictures because they are so fast. There were several in the grass near the road, but if you walk towards them, they scurry off on their hind legs and just disappear into the mangrove trees. That was the cutest sight.

Key West is the last key off the Florida coast and now we have seen every key. I observed that there seems to be more boats and variety of boats than cars around here.

Florida - Officially Sailing Certified

We had another day of sailing lessons taking the boat out a few miles. We practiced anchoring and took a swim. I also practiced the helm, but after heading toward an anchored boat and doing a tack I said enough is enough and I gladly gave the helm to someone else. I did everything I was told and it worked, but it was nerve racking. (Especially after running the little sunfish into the dock the day before.) This evening we received our sailing certificates from Captain Diana (center) and the Key Lime Sailing Club. We later ventured to a restaurant on the Islamorada Key where there is a tiny lagoon in the center where fish are free to come and go. Of course they like to come and get the scraps. We saw tarpons, zebra fish, nurse sharks, groupers, and other colorful fish just by looking down in the water. Besides the wonderful garlic fish and smoked fish dip, we did the traditional dessert for Key West, wonderful Homemade Key Lime Pie. We walked along the shore at Anne's Beach and took pictures by a huge Mangrove tree.

Now the sun has set and while enjoying a walk on the dock one more time before retiring, we saw a blue glow in the water. It looked like squiggles of blue glow and then it went away. Soon there were several patches of blue glow in the water. I took a net and scooped some up. It looked like sea weed with specks of blue glow. I googled it, but still do not have a name for it. A mystery!

BTW, I fell asleep in the hammock again last night. I hope to get one to use in San Augustine! ...along with these flaming tiki lights.

Hammock Sleeping

We enjoyed falling asleep in a double hammock under the cabana last night. We were sun wearied and finally in dry clothes and tummies full. We just layed there together and fell asleep watching the stars. No bugs and no noise except lapping water. Isn't that just perfect? I guess if we did that all the time, we would never get anything done. Thank goodness for vacations.

Florida Here We Are

Clear Water Beach is crowded on 4th July weekend, but still beautiful when you get further away from the parking area. So maybe it is one of the most beautiful beaches during the off season.

We are staying at the Key Lime Sailing Club in Key Largo for 5 nights in the Sailfish Cottage (for honeymooners). Jeff is in heaven with our sailing lessons and taking the O'day out later that evening. I snorkeled around the dock and saw a sting ray, jelly fish, sponges, and colorful fish. The water is clear but greenish blue, not as good as Roatan where we have snorkeled before, but a good substitute for now. I can post pictures later when I get my underwater camera developed. The water is emerald color mostly.

Today I took a sunfish out and freaked! I could not control it and ended up hitting the dock and shearing off the boom... The sensible person in me knew I wasn't ready, but I felt a little peer pressure to take a chance. My fears came true.. Oh well. I was adventurous. I think it is fairly adventurous just to snorkel around. WISH ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WERE HERE! Miss you!

Florida Here We Come

We decided about 2 weeks ago to take a well-deserved empty nester 10-day vacation. Jeff likes sailing, I like snorkeling and the sun. We both want to explore the Florida keys. So with some concern for leaving behind our grown son (who is working) and our pets, we broke away for a once in a lifetime trip.

I try to make my blogs positive and upbeat and so I will not mention the I10 traffic, except to say "we left on Thursday, it can't be just July 4th traffic!" I would also like to say it is a long drive and there is a time change where we lost an hour, but no big deal.

We had a wonderful and overdue visit to my sister-in-law's in Louisiana. They had recently celebrated "Christmas in July" with their young grown sons and their friends. They decorate the house and dress like it is Christmas. I wonder if they turn the AC down low. One year the boys and their friends made homemade gingerbread houses. I think this will catch on and be like Halloween for all the kids and maybe even become commercialized. I could tell we should stay more connected and hope to in the future. Jeff and I have wonderful families. She fed us farm fresh eggs, bacon, and coffee and we left her 2 bags of red ripe tomatoes from the garden.

The rest of the drive was uneventful. We stopped at the Florida Tourist Bureau for information. There were more brochures for Florida than I have ever seen in my life. Very busy place, too. A replica of an Air Force Blue Angel jet was supported in the air for all to see.

Now, we are in our swim suits and sunscreen and headed for what promises to be one of the top ten beaches in the world according to the residents of Ocala and the Discovery Channel. I'll let you know.