After noticing that the temperatures south of us are consistently in the mid-80s and north of us only in the high-60s, we decided we were crazy to be headed north in February and turned south! Unfortunately, based on the wind forecast, south meant the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway), affectionately known as “the ditch”.
The ditch has highlights … a sea turtle with a head as big as a crab pot buoy, eagle rays showing off how high they can leap and dolphins galore. And at least to start, the wind was from the north and we could sail, always a bonus!
And most boaters are polite. We were the tourist attraction for the Lady Chadwick ferry from Captiva Island, taking tourists and their cameras to enjoy cheeseburgers in paradise at Cabbage Key. I can remember being on those boats, taking photos of sailboats & being green with envy … dreaming about where they were going & wishing we could live on a boat.
The power lines are always a bit scary, but then there’s the infamous “Miserable Mile” … a narrow channel with an infamous cross current where big power boats try to destroy the rest of us. I understand wake, but really? If it’s breaking over our bow, do they think they might have Slowed down? And the ultimate insult is when they wave like you’re the best of friends! NOT!
Poor red marker … That must have hurt!
After all that, I really have to wonder about folks who trail their dinghy. We did once, a major powerboat wake flipped it & we had to do a man overboard drill to retrieve our oars… never again!
Anchor down, life is good & even better, it’s warm! Off to enjoy sunsetters with a friends boat (and him too). :). Cheers!
Good “dinghy towing” thoughts to keep in mind for those traveling on the ICW.