Day 166: Travel to Crystal River

Day 166: December 31: A stronger wind than we expected was blowing this morning and the water was rippling as the current flowed past our boats. By the time we got UW, about 8:00 a.m. the wind had died down to a mere breeze. Once again John led the group out of Cedar Key Harbor and back into the Gulf. We had to venture off shore quite a bit to get into deeper water. The Gulf tends to be shallow in general, and along the shores it can drop to 2 feet. We have seen 3 and 4 feet even in the rivers leading to Steinhatchee and Cedar Key. 

Never to disappoint, dolphins began playing along the bow, allowing themselves to be pushed along by the force of the water. As much as they are a delight, the countless crab pots are as annoying. It seems that as soon as we engage the autopilot, one is bouncing around directly in front of us, requiring dodging and zig zagging . 

When we were almost to the Crystal River channel, Frank called John on the radio. Frank saw that John was turning toward port and noted his Navionics wanted him to turn toward starboard. John checked the plotter and saw that the path to port would have taken us through extra shallow water; not something we wanted. So Frank took the lead, guiding us into the channel. 

It took our three boats about an hour just to edge our way through the channel and into King's Bay where we planned on anchoring. The anchorage was really nice; big enough for many boats in about 8 feet of water. We dropped the hook and Summer Fling rafted to us. Paradise decided to anchor on their own, citing the noise of the fenders rubbing together had bothered them the night before. 

As soon as we dropped the hook we got in the dinghies and cruised slowly up the canals to the Manatee viewing area. The sun was shining and it felt so wonderful riding along the canals. It was a taste of what we will experience in the Intracoastal. I am definitely looking forward to it. 

People were everywhere; some on tour boats, others on kayaks, canoes or paddle-boards and still others snorkeling amongst the manatees. The manatee sanctuary was roped off; inside the cordoned off area we could see numerous manatees. Sometimes their snouts were visible when they came up and snorted. They swam under our dinghy and all around the snorkelers. Incredibly large, these peaceful giants lumbered quietly in and out of the roped off area. We couldn't snap a picture very well but we enjoyed watching them glide silently under the water. 

Later on in the day John met up with Mark Lynch, a friend he has known since college. Knowing we would be in the area of Crystal River where Mark lives, John had contacted him some time ago. Mark picked us up and drove to a local creamery where we chatted over scrumptious Blue Bell ice cream. Mark was nice enough to stop at a market so I could purchase a few needed items. The two old friends were very happy to see each other and catch up on 25 plus years.