February 5
We've decided to move to an anchorage with protection from the south as winds are predicted to shift to the south tonight. Anchor is up at 8:45. As we near the cut to the bridge the Coast Guard issues a warning for 30-40 knot gusts and possible water spouts. All mariners should seek protection. We thought about heading back to the anchorage and then quickly decided to head towards the nearest shore and dropped anchor just out of the channel. Turned our navigation lights on and within 5 minutes of the warning we were in high winds and heavy rain. That was definitely the quickest we've ever dropped anchor. Carl let out about 125 feet. Nemo was to our port. It was about 9:30. We put our life jackets on and I threw things in the ditch bag. The doppler was showing more to come so we just sat back and enjoyed the ride. It started clearing at 10:45. By 11:30 we decided to pull up the anchor and continue on to Tarpon Basin to weather the storm. We ran aground at the entrance. A nice man came out in his dinghy and said Is this your first time in the Basin? Uh...yeah. Then he motored behind us tell Nemo the best way in. We tried backing off but didn't budge. Then the man came back and took our main halyard line and pulled us so we were leaning over and we pulled off. Then, we followed his directions and came way around and into the basin and found a spot to anchor. It is very shallow in here with sand and grass. We drug anchor a little before it set. Turned the "drag queen" on and then the wind and rain picked up again. The wind finally settled down about 5:30. I think I will stand on the bow and look at the water for depth from now on. We had spagetti and wine and a little more wine for dinner!