3/19/22. Back to Tarpon Basin

 It’s back to Tarpon Basin to ride out another big blow and another trip to the grocery store. We motor sailed back up the channel.  We do a lot of running around the bay, but even then, it's relaxing to be practically alone in this vast space.  We rarely encounter another boat and if we do, it's another cruising sailboat enjoying the same things we are.  The winds were fair for now, 15-20 kts out of the SE.  The upcoming Saturday evening/Sunday morning wind forecast was for 20-25 kts with gusts 28-30.  

The waters were once again clear and several colors of blue.  Here you can see the deeper water in the channel. It should be easy to stay between the red and green markers!  We got back to our usual spot in the anchorage around 2:30 pm and relaxed a bit before the breeze picked up.  

Rick re-joined us and asked Ed to help him dock at Gilbert's to get fuel and water.  Ed didn't mind.  By Sunday morning the winds had died down a bit, enough to go early to Gilberts in Wind Gypsy and later get to Publix for re-provisioning.  

Sunday morning calm

Sunrise over Key Largo

This little guy is so used to people coming off their dinghy at the landing, he didn't even scurry off

He seemed to enjoy the company

Re-provisioning all done, back to the boat for a good night's sleep.  Our plan is be here Wednesday, as it's "Pump-Out Day" and Thursday head back North.  Yes, I mean back to the mainland.  We'll do a couple more "day trips" around the bay until then and say good-bye to the aqua waters for this season.  We'll make our way slowly North, exploring new places to anchor and watch for our weather window to go "outside" (in the Atlantic) from Cape Florida to St. Lucie Inlet.  We don't have to be back to Stuart until May, so we will continue our cruising season North of Stuart along the Indian River for a month.  

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