Day 65 – 12/7/23

Starting location: Smack Bayou, FL

Weather: Low 40s am. Mostly sunny. Low 60s pm.

Ending location: Apalachicola Marina, Apalachicola, FL. GICW MM 351 EHL

Statute miles: Approximately 50

General summary: Heading to Apalachicola, FL today. (What a fun city name to say!) Once we get there, we will officially be in the Eastern Time Zone for the rest of the winter, spring, and part of summer. This means one of our boat clocks (on radio and speedometer) will finally be accurate! They do not self adjust and you have go through some complex steps to enter the difference between your time zone and UTC time to have it show correctly, so we haven’t bothered. (AKA Coordinated Universal Time). Our cell phones have been true, so that has been enough. We are approaching “The Big Bend” and leaving Flor-Abama (Florida/Alabama). The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (I’ve been spelling it Intercoastal, which has been incorrect) ends at Carabelle, FL, just a few miles East of Apalachicola. The bend starts there and is where the panhandle connects with the mainland. It is shallow for miles out to sea, swampy, and has no marinas or anchorages. In addition, there are no barrier islands in that section, so you need to cross open Gulf waters to anchorages and marinas on the West side of the mainland until you get to the Florida Gulf Intracoastal Waterway around Tarpon Springs (just North of Tampa) where protection returns. This requires paying close attention to wind speed and direction as well as wave heights and periods. It looks like tomorrow should be a good day to cross. You can either do the 170 mile cross directly to Tarpon Springs or bop along the West Coast in sections (usually to Steinhatchee, then Cedar Key, then Crystal River, then Tarpon Springs).

Tied up to pier in Apalachicola and walked around town. Quaint stores – lots to eat, retail, antiques. We got some pastries and then got groceries at Piggly Wiggly.

Boater information: Only place to get gas in Apalachicola is Scipio Creek Marina. Apalachicola Marina has power and water but no bathroom, showers, laundry. No one in attendance for most of the day but felt safe. Easy walk into town and to get groceries.