Everglades Challenge 2014 Start

It's that time of the year.  The EC started this morning and for once the weather was beautiful.   A record number of boats lined up at the start.  I heard that there are about 140 competitors this year but have not confirmed that.  Whatever the number it's the biggest turnout yet.  Here's a quickie iPhone video of some of the start.



Mark and Morgan Visit

Mark and Morgan, my best friends and roommates from college visited last weekend.  Mark lives in Sweden and Morgan lives in Minnesota so they were both looking forward to some mid November fun in the sun.  As has now become crystal clear we are not to have good weather whenever guests from up north arrive. This is starting to get ridiculous.  Morgan has been here two times during the fall when it's normally 80 and sunny and both times it's been crap.  Same for Mark and others.  My family has stopped coming down for Christmas because their visits coincide with nasty cold fronts  Anyway, we had a great time hanging out at some of St Pete's attractions and even got a damp but warmish day out on Goat.

 Three amigos ready to set off for a little sail out Bunces Pass and into the Gulf.

Break for lunch on North Beach.

I like the pastel colors however this is not what DeSoto is supposed to look like.

This is what the same spot at DeSoto looks like 99% OF THE TIME!

Mark took the helm on the way back.

Morgan was very concerned.

It started drizzling.

The crew braved the conditions in good spirits.

 Coming back to the launch site.

Dali Museum was fun.

Habana Cafe, superb as always. Tostones!

Sailing Weekend at Ft Desoto

Sailing season is just around the corner so the WCTSS got an early start with a day-sail at Ft Desoto.  A few of us camped at DeSoto camp ground.  We had beautiful weather with a nice breeze and the usual afternoon thunderstorms stayed away both Friday and Saturday.

 Friday afternoon view from the campsite we shared with John and Colette Johns

 Friday afternoon we sailed in company with John and Colette on their Hobie TI.  Took a break to go swim on a sand bar.  I left the anchor in the van so was trying to keep Goat in place by jamming the dagger board into the sand.  Not a very good plan as eventually the wind caught the sail just right and the boat tripped over the board. 

 Colette and Kristi just laughed at our antics.

 Friday evening back at camp.

 Doug Engh's, Penobscot 14.

 Ron Falkey's Dalliance tri.

Goat up on the grass bank above high tide line.  Every time Kristi and I are able to drag the boat around we are grateful to designer, Michael Storer, for such a light boat.

 Penobscot 14

 Eric and Jane DeVoe's beautiful Welsford Houdini, "Belafonte"

 Heading out Bunces Pass.

Out in the Gulf.  Ron says: "sheet that thing in or get out of my way".



 Exploring a little sand bar on the north side of Bunces Pass.  It was too rough to beach the boats.  Ron wisely just sails by.

 These characters had already staked out high ground on the shoal.

 First outing of i550 "Hot Canary" Bill, Luke and Joy on board.

 Lunch on the protected side of North Beach.

 

"Hot Canary" doing her thing.



This critter stole our raspberry muffins from inside the van.  We initially wanted to exact massive revenge.

Later we found out she had a really cute baby so all was forgiven.

 We had a great fire both nights.  Initially there was some questioning of my fire making prowess.  Drastic measures had to be taken to protect my honor.  Retinas were seared.

 Sunday morning sky looked ominous but the storms did not materialize.

 Waiting on a free snack from the fishermen.

 Ron gave Doug a tow back to the ramp.

Camp all packed up and ready for the 15 mile trip home.  

Sunday Morning Kayak to Shell Key

We spent Mother's day morning kayaking with friends around Shell Key, Ft DeSoto park.

We discovered a crossover path near the north end of Shell Key.  Lots of Great Blue Herons around.

It's a short walk through the scrub.

A tidal stream teaming with minnows cuts through the Key.

Tons of shells on the Gulf side but we did not stick around long enough to find any real good ones.