Tuesday, March 29^th

After the captains had a conference about the weather, it was decided that we should scoot over to Apalachicola today while the weather was marginal.  It’s supposed to get really bad Wednesday through Friday, with a possible window for crossing the Gulf on the weekend. 

Again, we went on the “inside”; this time because it’s MUCH shorter than going on the “outside” in the Gulf.  We left at 10:05, and pulled into the Scipio Creek Marina at 3:00. The weather was overcast and chilly all day, but with calm winds.

 I think this might prove to be one of my favorite days of the whole trip.  We spent the whole day traveling through cypress swamps, Wimico Lake, and salt marshes.  I love cypress trees with their lacy leaves, spread-out roots, and knees (little trunk-bumps that sprout out away from the tree).  There were egrets and water-birds on stumps and in the cat tails throughout the marshes.  There were flocks of migrating ducks along the way.  There were beautiful flowering trees in little pockets throughout the swamp.   I didn’t spot any alligators, but we saw something that looked like an otter swimming across the channel – that was cool!

The best thing was a wildlife drama right beside us in Lake Wimico.  Over to starboard was a large flock of black ducks floating on the water; maybe sixty of them.  They appeared to be exhausted since they were unable to fly more than a foot or two before re-landing back into the water.  Suddenly, two bald eagles came soaring over and started dive-bombing them.  The eagles soared and struck over and over, until one of them finally nabbed a duck and carried it away.  It was sad, but amazing to watch!

We ended the day with dinner on Sanctuary and a DVD on Mariah. 

Another great day!

Wednesday, March 30th

We had a huge storm all night and almost the whole day.  It was ferocious!  Thank goodness we were tied up at a marina instead of out on the hook!  As it was, Sam got soaked to the bone when he went out to adjust the lines and the fenders.  We just hunkered down in the boat and spent the day reading. 

By evening, though, it cleared up so we went to the marina for dinner.  After dinner we played another fierce game of dominoes.  The results were nearly the same as the last time.  Pat and I have just cause to sulk!

Cypress trees and their "knees"

Bird on channel marker

Cool bridge!

Sanctuary sailing into Apalachicola

Floating house!

Tucked in at Scipio Creek Marina