flrockytop's superloop crossing big bend

thataway

Roger, flrockytop set out late yesterday afternoon to cross the "Big Bend" area of Fl. from Carabelle. The crossing depended on a weather window and he would go at displacement speed until he was most of the way across. I suspect that he found the weather to be still good, and had plenty of fuel, so he has headed on down the coast, and is only a few miles off Port Richy currently. Not sure if he is headed to Port Richy, New Port Richy or the usual destination of Tarpon Springs. What he has done makes a lot of sense. He would have arrived at Cedar Key very early in the AM--perhaps even before daylight. The weather looks good, and he would have another run outside from Cedar Key to Tarpon Springs, so running on down at this point is a good plan.

Rogers site is at www.rogerrockwell.com and there is a link to his SPOT track on the site.

update: he looks to be headed into Hudson Beach Point/Port Hudson. He should be able to get out of the weather there and obtain fuel if necessary. I was not yet able to get him on the cell phone.

thataway · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject:

Roger just called. He had an exceptionally easy passage, except for dense fog. I'll let him fill in the details when he gets WIFI. He is at a free public dock up in Port Hudson and will hang in there until tomorrow. He still has about 2/3 tank of fuel left (took 12 extra gallons in containers). The seas were calm most of the way.

Wefings · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject:

I spoke with him as well , he sounded great and seemed to make the right call . I have a very close dealer in Hudson if he needs anything . He stopped here on his way to Carrabelle . We will be following him .
Marc

Doryman · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the heads-up -- have been reading his blog -- wow, what an inspiration for the rest of us!

Warren

flrockytop · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject:

Bob,

Thanks for the post. Yesterday the weatherman said I was going to have to stay up north for a couple of more days. I had aleady paid for a motel room and was planing on updating the blog and posting here while I was laid up. I looked out of the motel window and saw that the weather was best for right now(then). I tossed everything in the boat an headed out. What a great 160 mile open Gulf crossing. One of the best I ever made. But now I'm dead tired. over 24hrs. I'm too old for this.!!! when I missed my 2hr nap from 2 to 4 I'm not good. I'm going to get a few an update everything in a few hours.

Roger

Wefings · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject:

Roger is in Hudson . Just talked to him . Said the gulf was like a zero visibility [fog] calm lake after midnight.
Marc

Yellowstone · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:07 pm Post subject:

Roger - Fog huh? Recall, I believe, my first introduction to you at Bridge Bay Marina. (do I have the right Roger?) It was very dark and your motor quit and wouldn't start as you glided into your berth, but your steering was loat and you were going to kiss the boat next to you with that crew already in their beds.

A group of us standing nearbys rushed to board that boat to hold you off, but of course the skipper and crew had to pop out to find out what was happening. I remember standing on his bow to keep the C-Lover off and also trying to explain to the skipper why we had come aboard without permission. He was good natured about it, thank God. Never a dull minute with a C-Dory,

Edna broke out the Florida map to get a sense of where you are .Am really envious ( in a positive way) of your trip. Sounds like something we should be doing. Regards to both you and your wife.

John

Simplicity · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject:

Roger- Glad to hear you had a calm crossing. We weren't as adventurous and stopped at st marks steinhatchee and suwannee before Tarpon springs.
Your trip is getting us excited about heading for Texas next month.
Enjoy the voyage.
Alan & Linda

Capt Harpoon · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:11 pm Post subject:

In the middle of his crossing last night he was kind enough to PM me about the canvas frame on C-Lover!
Thanks, Roger!
Safe travels,

Papillon · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject:

Way to go Roger. Glad to see you out and about. Judy and I will be following your travels and if you need anything , we are not that far away form the central Florida gulf coast, so just send up a flare or give us a call at 239-877-1704 .

flrockytop · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:21 pm Post subject:

Mike · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 8:10 am Post subject:

Hey there Roger!
We hope you have as much fun on your cruise as B and I did. Great trip, and much more important, great people along the way!!! Very Happy

...oh yeah, the food!
Be safe,
Mike & B

El and Bill · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 9:27 am Post subject:

Hooray on having a good crossing behind you. We also have fond memories of that route - spent ten days in Appalach awaiting good weather, and it was sure worth the wait. Thinking of you guys on your cruise - keeping the fingers crossed for weather for you. Enjoy.

flrockytop · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 10:14 am Post subject:

Another outstanding in Florida. Hi Mike and Mike. Mary Jo is doing her part by watching me from home on SPOT. No plans for today other than work my way down the coast. I may stop somewhere and launch the kayak. I've got about 5 more miles until I pick up the GIWW 150 mark. The water is very clear. I'm in 9 feet and can see the bottom very well.

Roger

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Roger,

Sounds like a great trip! I hope you have excellent weather the whole way. I will be watching your spot track.

Steve