Tuesday, 10 February 37.2 SM
Dolphin already lunch when the cruise boat turns to Cabbage Key.
The cell phone rings. And rings some more. It’d be nice to answer. But even if it could be dug out of the jacket pocket before it goes to voice mail, this is not the time to take a hand off the wheel or an eye off the channel.
Ribbons of foamy lace stream straight down Pine Island Sound, torn from the tops of a two-foot chop just starting to stack up on the surface. But the Sound is fairly protected, islands on either side, so the chop’s not much. Besides, it’s all coming from off the starboard quarter, pushed up by the northerly blowing a steady 18-to-20, gusting as much as 31 (as confirmed later at SailFlow).
It seems a shame not to make the most of such a favorable wind—headed southward as we are—so, not long after pulling out from Placida, Genny goes to work with a loud snap. Red, though not taking the day off, loafs along at an easy 1500 RPM. They play well together, Red and Genny, and have Steadfast moving along comfortably at a nifty six-knots or better.
Not many customers buying bait this morning
She’s making good time, for sure, so it’s not long before Boca Grande Pass is well astern. Then Redfish Pass and Captiva Pass, too. Those brief stretches are the only ones open to the Gulf, when it gets a bit lumpy. Otherwise, it’s bright sun, shining seas and a great run.
But the fun can’t last, right? Sure enough, the waterway turns easterly to round the south end of Pine Island and the seas now splash pretty much dead on the beam. More so toward The Miserable Mile when the waterway’s wide open to the wind whipping down Matlacha Pass. But Steadfast hides for a moment in the lee of Merwin Key, just long enough to get the Genny furled. Red revs up to take control for the last couple of miles and on toward Tarpon Point and Glover Bight.
Mangroves shelter Glover Bight on three sides with the shops and restaurants at Tarpon Point just a short dinghy ride away .
Once in, there’s time to a) catch one’s breath; b) enjoy the lush surroundings; and c) check the phone to see if this morning’s caller left a message.
Shops with a Mediterranean flair line the pier at Tarpon Point.
“Hey, guys. It’s Rich. Just checkin’ to see how you’re doin’. It’s re-a-a-a-ly blowin’ up here. I mean, I hope you guys are hunkered down somewhere by now. Maybe that spot we showed you up in the mangroves by Boca; or down at Cayo Costa. I don’t know. I’m just thinkin’ that’s a small boat but, hey, you know what you’re doin’, I guess. Anyway, take care!”
Nice guy, that Rich, to check. And yes, we’re doin’ okay. Even better, in fact! Another gorgeous day on the Gulf Coast!
Steadfast out.
At Sea with Steadfast 
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