Maximo Pt. to Cortez

Date: Dec 17, 2019                                          

Arrival Time:  1300 ET                     

Location:  Cortez, Fl.

Weather: 77/59, windy, northerly blowing in tonight.             

Sea State:  Choppy

Destination Tomorrow:  South

Engine Hours:  1361                                                                        

Crew:  Bryce      

Comments:   

We awoke early knowing a northern front would arrive tonight, with intentions of an early and protected anchorage.  We ate breakfast at 645 and pulled up anchor around 715.  We skirted under the Dick Misener Bridge into the Tampa Bay against a mild current.  Today being Tuesday meant my weekly call to Granny Rea (Mom).  I had Bryce call giving Mom a special surprise.  After their phone visit, Bryce asked if I needed to tell mom anything.  Mom didn’t need me after talking to her favorite.  By the time we reached the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the current had turned in our favor.  We were greeted by two large Coast Guard cutters crossing near the bridge.  They were very formal over the radio.  They might have waved at us.  After our final change of course in Tampa Bay, near mile 95, Bryce hooked a Spanish Mackerel.  By the way, I’ve been asked a couple times, in fear of us spending time behind bars, if we have a fishing license.  Bryce has a fishing license and he fishes one line only.  In Florida you can purchase the license online, for segments of days, which he did.  I figure if I bought one, Bryce would be pulling all the fish in anyway, so I’ll buy one when he goes home.  By the way Bryce is out in the dinghy fishing as I type.  Anyway, after the event of landing the fish and regaining our course I noticed the wind had increase to about 24 knots, gusting to 28, from the south and in our face, giving the PAYC burgee and Old Glory a work out.  The next two bascule bridges had timed openings of :15 and :45 after the hour, so we slowed down and tried to time their openings.  The bridge tenders at the Anna Maria Island and Cortez bridges were extremely professional and opened on time.  We anchored at the SE Cortez bridge anchorage, just yards from the bridge.  The Cortez Bridge anchorage is very sketchy.  There are many boats in a tight anchorage including several abandoned boats that have probably been here for years.  With the strong winds our concern is obviously that they break loose.  After anchoring, we dinghied ashore to the nearest restaurant/bar and indulged in seafood.  We hiked a short distance then returned to the dinghy for a cruise through a small mangrove canal looking for Manatee’s.  No such luck as the Manatees have gone south.  Tomorrow’s course is yet undetermined.