March 25, 2009
2030 HRS
I was 27 degrees, 23.8 minutes North; 82 degrees, 40.7 minutes West according to the Tom Tom. A mile or so off shore and just north of Long Boat Key, when the Coast Guard approached. I turned into the wind and heaved to and they came aboard for inspection. They were looking for drugs. None here... so they thanked me for my courtesy and moved on.
The wind is supposed to shift out of the north later this evening, gusting to 30 knots with nine foot swells. I'm not comfortable with that. So I've been tacking my way toward Lido Key for anchorage (N27 20.011 W82 35.226) and I'll call it a day. The anchorage is in the ICW just off Ken Thompson Park and City Island. I'll enter the waterway between Lido Key and Bay Isle and motor sail to anchorage.
I'm dieting to shrug off those ten winter pounds I gained so no need to paddle the dinghy to shore to find a restaurant. I'll just stay aboard and fix a nice salad and sip on grapefruit juice. I have some DVD movies and books, so keeping myself occupied won't be a problem. I'll get a good night's sleep.
2330 HOURS
With midnight approaching I am relishing in a beautiful Gulf night anchored off the coast of Florida, a short swim from City Island (near Sarasota). Soft jazz is riding the wind from somewhere on shore. Transparent lacey clouds streak across a blue-black sky breached by twinkling stars. An occasional splash, from out of the dark, confirms that otherwise still water is alive. I'm thinking the word romance is redefining itself. This could be heaven.
Life is good.
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