Stars, Sails - the Parallax View

A family of astronomers at sea... coming soon to a galaxy near you...

28 May 2020 | Fort Myers, FL
13 February 2019 | SW Florida
25 May 2018 | Fort Myers, SW FL
02 September 2016 | Fort Myers, FL
11 July 2014 | Fort Myers, FL
04 July 2014 | Fort Myers, FL
01 July 2014 | South Jersey Shore
23 April 2014
11 November 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
05 July 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
25 March 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
11 March 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
25 February 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
24 January 2013 | Fort Myers, FL
25 December 2012 | Fort Myers, FL
15 December 2012 | Fort Myers, FL
28 November 2012 | Fort Myers, FL
25 November 2012 | Fort Myers, FL
07 November 2012 | Fort Myers, FL

Marina Jack Sarasota to Casey Key

19 November 2011 | Casey Key
Heather/ sunny and 81 F
So, let's see, we were at Marina Jack and the City of Sarasota decided to have another 40,000 gallon sewage spill into Sarasota Harbor. Well, maybe they didn't "decide," exactly, but ewww...

So we decided there were healthier and less expensive places to hang out, that are closer to Derek's parents. Like Casey Key.

In preparation for moving to Casey Key, Derek (having cleared the extra impeller vanes from the engine) started up the engines. Port turned over beautifully, starboard did not turn over. The starter made a rattling, coffee-grinder kind of noise, instead.

We used a Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net recommendation to contact the "excellent diesel mechanic" in our area, and although he was too busy to help us immediately, Derek had taken off the starter and knew what the problem was, so Mr. McGeary told us to contact Bill at B and E Auto Electric in Palmetto for a starter rebuild. Wow, they are FAST!!!
B and E Racing and electric

So two days later, when we were to leave for Casey Key (a short hop), Derek drove over there to pick up the rebuilt starter to use as a spare and a new starter to use, reattached the starter to the starboard engine, and we motored out to the first of three bridges en route to Casey Key along the ICW.

I spent some time talking to bridge tenders on VHF 9...
Heather talking to bridge tender

And we passed through some mangrove islands south of the Siesta Key bridge:
mangroves

A hand-lettered sign among them declared the little archipelago was a nature preserve, but it was not listed as such on any of our charts or on Google Earth. Strictly local effort?

Immediately after the Blackburn Pass swinging bascule bridge, we made a sharp right into the Casey Key Fish House dock area.
Casey Key Fish House and dock
If Jimmy has room for you, he'd like $25 a night. Still cheaper than Marina Jack. And the water doesn't smell funny :-)

To support the Fish House and its associated Tiki Bar, we have been eating some meals there. We started as soon as we arrived:
Casey Key Fish house

Grandma finally had to come see the boat before we took off, so she visited yesterday and today. Here are Derek's parents and Derek and Grant on the foredeck, tiki bar in the background:
three generations

They even took us to eat at the Fish House. Mr. S. Egret was another customer at the Fish House that day. He prefers outdoor seating:
snowy egret at Casey Key Fish House

By the way, if you do look at our position and notice the big lot with two tanks across the road from the Fish House, and notice the linear features by the water, that is an enclosure holding the crew shells of the Sarasota Scullers, a competitive local rowing club. They even have a sweep program for high school, grade school and middle school students. Too cool! One of their sponsors is... dare I say it??? Yeah, the Fish House.

We have had Thanksgiving and Anniversary (Derek's mom and dad's) and Grandpa's Birthday celebrations early, since we have to be south soon. We have done some of the "business" that I had to get done for Dad's estate, and we provisioned. Weather window looks good for Tuesday departure, so we will move down to Sanibel Monday, and watch the weather.
Comments
Vessel Name: Parallax
Vessel Make/Model: 37' Prout Snowgoose (1982)
Hailing Port: Pensacola
Crew: Derek, Heather and Grant
About:
Two astronomers, looking for variable stars and adventure. After cruising the Caribbean aboard S/V Paradox for 18 months in the early 90s, the crew swallowed the anchor and had a child, always planning their next Great Adventure: cruising under sail with Grant, showing him the world. [...]
Extra:
We knew that if we ever got a catamaran, we'd want a name to celebrate her twin-hulledness. Parallax is seeing the same thing from two slightly different points of view, which with our two eyes is what gives humans our depth perception. It's also a good metaphor for one of the benefits of marriage. [...]

S/V Parallax

Who: Derek, Heather and Grant
Port: Pensacola