We continued through Appalachicola Bay and passed the town of Appalachicola. It looked charming.
I'm sorry we didn't stop in there. Many boaters are there tonight. We felt a need to get to Carrabelle and figure out who we can make the Big Bend crossing with. The crossing will take 17 - 20 hours. Boaters leave in the afternoon, travel overnight, and arrive in Tarpon Springs in the morning. We need to arrive in morning, so we can see to come into the harbor and avoid crab pots. We want to go with at least one other boat, so we are not alone on the gulf.
This crossing is consuming my thoughts now. I can't wait for it to happen and to be complete. I do not want to wish my life away. However, I have many questions and worries about the crossing. These will all be answered soon.
Loopers spend a ton of time studying and discussing the weather. We also spend a great deal of time making our plans and checking them with others. This crossing is combining those two obsessions.
We have contacted all the boats we know to ask when they are going. We went to a cocktail hour meeting tonight to meet other loopers who are here and who are crossing this week. "When are you crossing? What is your speed? What time do you plan to depart?" These are the main questions we asked everyone as we chatted. There is a group going 20 mph, a group going 10 mph, and a group going 7.5 mph. We want to go 9 mph. Finally, we made contact with some 8.5 mph folks. We still have to follow up tomorrow about plans, routes, expectations, and departure time.
We had dinner (fried shrimp) at The Fisherman's Wife across the street with a fun couple from Our Last Boat - IX. They are from New York and told us stories about the Mississippi section.
We think we are departing for the Big Bend Crossing tomorrow afternoon. I'll send out a note before we go.
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