I don't think enough can be said about how refreshing and fun an overnight trip can be. Especially when you go with a few good friend. Like a lot of sailors, I spend way too much time daydreaming of trowing off the docklines and setting sail for years on end to destinations not even dreamed of by the masses of suffocating cubicle lemmings. But the reality of such adventuring requires years of planning and a total life commitment. Our trip to Egmont Key had most of the same elements a longer trip had, without a huge commitment.
Johnny, Russell, Justin and I arrived in St Pete Friday night lugging 3
coolers and our sleeping gear. We had planned to load the boat, go out
have a few beers then leave early the next morning. Since I arrived
after 9, loading the boat consisted of Johhny putting everything
onboard, while Russell, J-rock and I braved the throngs of theater fans
watching "Little Shop of Horrors" under the stars at Demens Landing to
launch the dinghy and procure an extra parking pass. The rest of the
evening was consumed with wandering downtown St Pete to see my lovely
girlfriend Stacy as she was out with friends to thank her for preparing
and packing our meals. Then we hiked 3 blocks to Joey Brooklyns to grab
a pizza and retired to the boat to enjoy a few beers with our meal. I
think our age is showing, we all sacked out by midnight, barely denting
our beer supply.
The next morning we awoke at the crack of 8:30. Shuttling around to pick up a massive quantity of ice for a two day trip was completed before we settled in to make breakfast. This trip was more about eating than any other I have been on. I must highly recommend the Bisquick Shake and Pour pancake mix for the coastal cruising provision list. Breakfast and final preperations pushed our departure time to 11:45 am.
Capt. Jon on Pancake Patrol
At this point I must mention that the starter on Stormbringer's 15hp Yanmar needs to be replaced. It needed to be hand cranked each time (I have the blisters to prove it). Luckily, the sight of the captain huffing and puffing as he cranked the engine like a Model-t did not phase the crew, though Russell kept wondering if someone was drinking his coffee. He had apparently ordered a large, and only got a big cup with an espresso shot in it. Go figure.
The forecast called for WNW winds at 5-10mph, and that is what we had, in addition to tempuratures in the low eighties, clear skies, 4 cases of beer and a bottle of whiskey(aptly named Russell's Reserve). Justin was in command most of the time as we motor sailed towards the Skyway Bridge. Johnny and Russell discussed Fluid Mechanics, and I just enjoyed the ride.
South of the Skyway, we were able to cut the engine and sail the remaing 5 or so miles to Egmont at about 5.5kts. That was some of the best sailing of the trip, Russell was so into it, but I think he was confused about which direction we were heading (We got video of Russell rocking out but Johnny didn't realize that you can't rotate a movie like you can a picture;). J-rock sailed right into the anchorage and headed up while I dropped the anchor in about 14' of water towards the south end of Egmont Key.
Beer and whiskey were then consumed while we dug into homemade bean dip, Filet of Beef Sandwiches and Shrimp Salad. Johnny kept asking when the Food Network Camera crew was going to show up, we were eating so well. We proceeded to swim a bit, then rowed into shore north of the bird sanctuary and played frisbee. At least Tbone, J-rock and I did, Johnny just kinda threw it lopsided in our direction.
Damn thing is about hanging out with these guys is that we are definately all getting older, but within 2 minutes of getting together I'd swear we were 18. If you do go to Egmont, watch out for the gopher turtles, I hear they'll take your leg off. (no pictures, accidently left the camera on the boat).
Back to the boat for more provisions, and we enjoyed a nice sunset. The evening consisted of Ipod kareoke. We played everything from And Justice for all, to Guns and Roses, to Paul Simon, and even the Counting Crows and the Pixies. The evening was capped off with Maple BBQ Pork Burgers and Baked Beans that I am still dreaming about. Johnny's wife Maresa made us some awesome chocolate brownies for desert. I really think I gained 5 pounds in 2 days.
Given the fact that the engine wasn't starting well, I did not have a restfull night. Every hour or so I was up checking to see if the anchor was holding, or if the dinghy was still there. THe anchor never slipped, but despite my dilligence, the dinghy rode chaffed through sometime between my last check at 5am and 7am. It miraculously landed at the very southeastern tip of the island, a few meters drift to the east it would have been swept out to the Gulf of Mexico. I watched incredulously as a park ranger tied it to the back of his four-wheeler and pulled it up the beach.
It took a bit of time on the radio before I was able to figure out the right channel raise the Egmont Key Ranger. But the ranger, Bob, was really nice and allowed us to tie up briefly to the T of the Tampa Pilot pier to retrieve our dinghy. Egmont Key Rangers monitor channel 80 by the way.
The rest of the day was kinda anti-climactic. Fun and relaxing though, which was the whole point. We reanchored with the dinghy again in tow and enjoyed Southwast Scrambled eggs with Chorizo. We napped and hydrated for the remainder of the morning. Around Noon the wind picked up nicely so we hoisted the main and sailed away from anchor, beam reaching at 5.7 kts to the Skyway. Again Tampa Bay north of the Skyway had fluky winds, so we motorsailed home.
I am not much of a writer, so I think I missed most of the fun in the telling. It was fun to spend time with good friends, doing not much of anything. I have a feeling there will be more trips to Egmont and other overnight destinations in store for Stormbringer, and any souls brave enough to crew her.
