Palmetto to Englewood, FL
After a 5 day weather delay due to high winds and thunderstorms moving through the area, we finished loading the last of our provisions and were underway by 10:00.
The skies were sunny, but the air temperature was a cool 65 degrees with the wind blowing 10 mph out of the NNW. We motored slowly through the Snead Island Cut and out the Manatee River toward Anna Maria Island. Snead Island gave us protection from the wind and waves for awhile until we entered the ICW at Anna Maria Sound. The 1-2′ waves out in the bay were still rolling in after the 20 knot winds we had the last 2 days and the water temps had dropped 8 degrees to a cool 67. Auggie got back into the boating groove and slept next to me on the bench seat in the sun. I jumped right into my role as first mate and navigator, while Bob captained the boat. It is great to be on the water again! There were many cruising boats moving about today, probably after being pinned down from the high winds the last 2 days. We passed one of the largest yachts we’ve ever seen in the ICW on this coast near Blackburn Swing Bridge. It was a 100′ Feretti Yacht from Rhode Island.
We motored at a comfortable 10 mph for most of the day to save on fuel. The day remained sunny, but cool on the water under a cloudless, blue sky. We arrived at the Englewood anchorage at 4:00 and after checking the wind direction, dropped anchor near Englewood Beach on Mansota Key for the night.
Auggie got his walk on the beach and we settled in for the night after a nice dinner on the grill. It will be a chilly night with temps expected to be in the mid-50’s. I guess we’ll need an extra blanket tonight.
